Junior Internship Summer Progam
​for High School Students

​Junior Sea Turtle Internship - Our Junior Internship offers high school students who are at least 15 years of age an introductory, hands-on opportunity to learn about sea turtle husbandry and conservation. Junior interns also practice communication skills by giving public tours. This is an unpaid internship and housing is not provided. All expenses are the responsibility of the intern and their parents or guardians. The junior internship is two weeks, 35-40 hours/week

Summer 2026 senior intern Angelina teaches junior interns Harper, Naomi, Kirby, and Andrea how to feed loggerhead turtle Zucchini Bread

"It has been such a privilege to be a junior intern at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, and my time here has been nothing short of rewarding. Through conversations with the college interns, I have gained valuable knowledge about pursuing a marine biology career, and their expertise has given me direction in my plans for the future." - Naomi, Junior Intern, Summers 2025 and 2026

Junior Sea Turtle Intern Responsibilities:

• Weigh food for turtles (i.e., fish, squid, other types of seafood, vegetables); Feed turtles
• Scoop and clean tanks
• Maintain accurate records (e.g., food chart, therapy pool, weekly weighing, admission of injured turtles)
• Wash and dry sea turtle dishes; Wash and fold sea turtle laundry
• Clean, disinfect, sweep, mop the facility including restrooms, hallways, the animal food prep kitchen, the break room, treatment areas, public spaces, etc.
• Educate the public and lead visitor tours
• Other duties as assigned

Junior Intern Requirements:

• High school student, minimum 15 years of age
• Interest in science
• Excellent communication and organization skills
• Ability to understand and follow detailed instructions
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Positive attitude with a desire to learn
• Two week commitment
• Ability to lift at least 20 pounds

Summer, 2026 Junior Internship Dates: (must work all days of your assigned two-week session)

• 6/1/26 - 6/12/26
• 6/15/26 - 6/26/26
• 6/29/26 - 7/10/26
• 7/13/26 - 7/24/26
• 7/27/26 - 8/7/26
• 8/10/26 - 8/21/26

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TO APPLY to be a JUNIOR INTERN:​

• Be sure to upload your COVER LETTER into the form
• Be sure to upload your RESUME into the form
• Be sure to upload TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION, including one from a teacher or guidance counselor, into the form. Alternatively, your references may e-mail a letter directly  [email protected].
  
• Summer 2027 Applications will open November 1, 2026.
• APPLICATION DEADLINE for Summer 2027 is March 1, 2027 . All application requirements should be in by this date. 
• Notification of acceptance will be by April 2, 2027. 

​If you have any questions please e-mail [email protected].

Additional Notes: Junior interns should expect an irregular work schedule consisting of weekdays and holidays. Weekends optional and may offer additional learning opportunities. Some workdays may exceed eight hours. The work is physically demanding. Additionally, because of the nature of working with sick and injured turtles, the work may at times be emotionally challenging.

APPLY HERE

If you have questions, please email our Mary, our Junior Internship Coordinator, at jr[email protected].

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.