Intern at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Center
Summer 2026 Interns
An internship at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Center offers students the opportunity to gain professional experience while working hands on with endangered and threatened sea turtles. We offer several types of internship programs:
"What did I gain at KBSTRRC? Invaluable sea turtle husbandry skills and medical procedures; hands-on conservation fieldwork experience; a taste of real field work surveying the beach; public outreach; meaningful connections; and lots and lots of FUN!" Uliana G, North Carolina State University, Summer Intern 2025
"I have gained invaluable experience in many different areas, thanks to this internship. Care of sea turtles, conservation efforts of sea turtles, rehabilitation of sea turtles, public speaking, a general understanding of nonprofits, and general medical skills." Alexandra CA, Universidad Ana G. Mendez, Puerto Rico, Summer Intern 2025
"I gained a newfound love of sea turtles; deeper understanding of wildlife rehab and conservation efforts; appreciation for the importance of teamwork in wildlife rehab; confidence in a wildlife education, rehab, and/or conservation career path; and improved communication skills through public education." Tabitha T., Summer Intern 2025
The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Center offers internship opportunities without discriminating on the basis of race, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, age, economic status, or veteran status.
- Sea Turtle Rehabilitation and Conservation Internship (residential) for College Students and recent graduates. Ten positions are available during the Summer session. Up to four positions are available during the Spring and Fall sessions.
- Sea Turtle Rehabilitation and Conservation Internship Lead Intern (residential - Summer session only) for a College Student or recent graduate with demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience.Two positions are available, during summer session only.
- School Specific Internship (non-residential) for students at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and the Cape Fear Community College.
- Junior Internship Program (non-residential) for High School Students.
"What did I gain at KBSTRRC? Invaluable sea turtle husbandry skills and medical procedures; hands-on conservation fieldwork experience; a taste of real field work surveying the beach; public outreach; meaningful connections; and lots and lots of FUN!" Uliana G, North Carolina State University, Summer Intern 2025
"I have gained invaluable experience in many different areas, thanks to this internship. Care of sea turtles, conservation efforts of sea turtles, rehabilitation of sea turtles, public speaking, a general understanding of nonprofits, and general medical skills." Alexandra CA, Universidad Ana G. Mendez, Puerto Rico, Summer Intern 2025
"I gained a newfound love of sea turtles; deeper understanding of wildlife rehab and conservation efforts; appreciation for the importance of teamwork in wildlife rehab; confidence in a wildlife education, rehab, and/or conservation career path; and improved communication skills through public education." Tabitha T., Summer Intern 2025
The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Center offers internship opportunities without discriminating on the basis of race, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, age, economic status, or veteran status.
Life as an Intern at KBSTC
Interns handle all aspects of the daily care and husbandry of sea turtles in rehabilitation. The daily schedule includes morning food and vitamin preparation, then feeding the sea turtles. Feeding is followed by cleaning the tanks and providing care to individual sea turtles as needed. This might involve assisting with medical and/or special feeding procedures and administering medication. Throughout most of the year, KBSTC is open to visitors. During this time interns have the opportunity to introduce visitors to the sea turtles in rehabilitation; explain their injuries, ailments, and prognosis; and share our organization's history and operations. For summer interns, mentoring junior interns and summer sea turtle camp participants is an important aspect of the internship. Some days also include beach survey work early in the morning, locating and identifying sea turtle tracks and relocating nests when necessary. Some nights include searching for nesting females, nest sitting in anticipation of a nest emergence, and post hatch nest data collection. Interns also have the opportunity to dive more deeply into running a nonprofit organization by completing a project involving education, marketing, social media, communications, facilities, fundraising, or another area of interest.
Junior Interns support the work of the Senior Interns, especially cleaning tanks, feeding turtles, cleaning the hospital, and offering tours to the public. This is an opportunity to learn and experience working with sea turtles and sharing information about conservation.
Junior Interns support the work of the Senior Interns, especially cleaning tanks, feeding turtles, cleaning the hospital, and offering tours to the public. This is an opportunity to learn and experience working with sea turtles and sharing information about conservation.
