Read through the descriptions of the organizations that participate in our internship program and pick out the programs that align with your personal interests and career goals. Each site has its own requirements and limitations, so you should plan well ahead to find a suitable internship site for you.

With prior approval, you may also pursue an internship at sites that are not on this list, as long as the program will (a) fill your required hours, (b) provide you with experience observing and working with animals or with issues related to animal behavior, and (c) allow you to conduct an independent research, educational, or outreach project. For more information on arranging internships at other sites, contact our internship supervisor, Dr. Adam Fudickar, at afudicka@indiana.edu.

At least one semester before you intend to begin your internship, you should contact the organization(s) of your choice to inquire about available opportunities. Here are some questions you might discuss:

• Who will supervise my work?
• What do interns at this organization do on a typical day?
• What projects could I do to fulfill my ABEH-X473 requirements?
• How many hours a week are required? Is there a maximum cap to the hours I can work?
• Do you offer internships year-round? If not, do your months of operation coincide with any IU semesters? (January–May for Spring, May–July for Summer, August–December for Fall)
• Are there specific deadlines for applying to your internships?
• Keep in mind that some internship sites may have a formal application process, and that the most popular can be fully booked up to a year in advance. Volunteering at the organization beforehand can help you get a feel for their daily operations and expectations and increase your chances of securing a formal internship.

Also keep in mind that many organizations' existing internship programs do not, in and of themselves, fulfill the requirements for ABEH-X473. Make sure that, in addition to performing your duties as an intern, you will be able to complete a project with a physical product or report to turn in at the end of the semester.

Before the course registration deadline, contact our internship coordinator, Dr. Adam Fudickar (afudicka@indiana.edu), for approval to register for ABEH-X473. Together, you will establish what you intend to do with your time at the internship site, how you will report your hours, and what you will present at the end of the semester.

Once you’ve completed steps 1-3, you’re ready to enroll. Sign up for ABEH-X473 via the Walter Center for Career Achievement's website. Step-by-step instructions for the application can be found here.

After enrolling in ABEH-X473, you are responsible for carrying out your internship as planned. You will also meet with our internship coordinator three times over the course of the semester: early on to propose your project, mid-semester to report your progress, and at the end to submit your final product or report.

If you have any questions about the process, feel free to contact us.