Here is what some of our interns had to say about
their experience at the North American Bear Center.
Going to work as an intern at the North American Bear Center was an absolute pleasure. Learning about bears and ecology first hand was an invaluable experience that I certainly will never forget. I learned so much about animal behavior, ecology, animal care, public speaking, and education from some incredible staff, and of course from the bears themselves. Everyday was a new opportunity not only to learn, but to allow visitors to learn and spread the mission of the bear center. Beyond this, I made some incredible friends and memories, and I will always look back on this valuable experience with so much appreciation. Carly from Minnesota, 2022 Intern
Getting to work as a bear educator intern was undoubtedly the highlight of my college career. It’s hard to sum up everything I was able to take away from this experience, but the best word that comes to mind is eye-opening. Working with the bears, getting to know each of them, and observing them up close was truly a privilege. In addition to caring for the bears, I also got to learn so much about the local ecology. I’m not from Minnesota, and something I learned is that if you spend your whole life in one place, it’s easy to develop tunnel vision. Getting to see a new environment with different species than I knew was life-changing. This internship helped me realize what I want to do with my career moving forward. As well as experience in animal care and public education, I gained a summer of unforgettable memories and friendships. I would highly recommend this internship program to anyone that seeks to gain hands-on experience with wildlife-you won’t regret it. Alyssa from Pennsylvania, 2022 Intern
Working at the North American Bear Center was the first step I took towards accomplishing my academic and career goals, and it exceeded every one of my expectations. My responsibilities as a Bear Educator Intern were more comprehensive than I anticipated. Not only did I gain hundreds of hours of hands-on experience with animal care and maintenance, but I also greatly improved my skills in public-speaking, teamwork, and adaptability, which are transferable to any career choice. Furthermore, the staff at the NABC had a huge impact on me and my overall experience working there. The staff members at the NABC were always supportive, patient, and willing to answer my endless questions. Interning at the NABC was challenging in the best kind of way, and I feel as though it has prepared me for a career in my field, or even other internships, in a way that former schooling could not. Lydia from Rhode Island, 2020 Intern
Working at the North American Bear Center was such a privilege. I have gained a lot of experiences there that have helped me professionally and personally. Without a doubt, I would recommend this internship to anyone wanting to work in the field of animals, research, or education. It was such an honor to work alongside the senior bear keeper Sharon and to be a part of Dr. Lynn Rogers message/project. The staff was very professional and personal, I enjoyed working alongside with everyone there. The training is very professional, and I always felt safe working with the bears. I have learned so much about black bears, how to take care of them, and how to educate the public about them. If I could, I would do this internship again. Tatum from Michigan, 2020 Intern
Spend a summer or fall with us in northern Minnesota and see how our internship program sets you up for future success while giving you an experience of a lifetime.
