Getting professional experience as an undergraduate is essential for succeeding in your future career. Even spending a few hours a week engaged in the right activities can have a great deal of value over multiple years. Biology and zoology students can engage in a wealth of professionally relevant opportunities through volunteering and internships. Resources for finding volunteering and internships opportunities are outlined below. Some experiences can be approved for credit for your major.
Finding volunteering and internship positions
All current opportunities shared with integrative biology faculty are posted to the biology and zoology major listserv, and all students also have free access to additional listings on Handshake through the Career Development Center. The resources below list volunteer and internship sites and programs that our students have been involved with in the past. Students should use these resources as a place to start searching, and the Career Development Center and your advisor can be helpful in preparing for and navigating your search.
Integrative biology opportunities
Integrative biology undergraduate teaching: Corvallis and Ecampus students can seek credit for teaching opportunities in biology and zoology courses. Most Corvallis student opportunities are in the BI 22x series, but the human anatomy series and others are possible options. Ecampus students can assist with the online BI 20x series. Contact instructors or see the BI 309/409 Teaching Practicum Credit Form for details and contacts.
OSU biological collections: Corvallis students can seek credit for assisting with curatorial projects in the Oregon State Arthropod Collection or the OSU Herpetological Collection, both managed by integrative biology faculty, as well as several other biological collections at OSU. See the BI 406 Curatorial Assistant Credit Form for details and contacts.
OSU IE3 international Internships: Corvallis and Ecampus students can participate in a variety of approved international internships (and other study abroad) for OSU credit.
OSU Medical Preceptorship (SCI 410): Corvallis pre-medical students can participate in this intensive medical shadowing experience for qualified juniors and seniors.
Undergraduate research-focused opportunities
External opportunities
Corvallis and Ecampus students can pursue volunteering and internship positions in a variety of private sector, government, non-profits and other contexts. The lists below can assist with looking at options, though it is local to regional in focus. Students wishing to apply for credit with these or other relevant experiences can complete the BI 410 Internship Form.
- Biomedical, cell & molecular biology, genetics, genomics and other laboratory-based opportunities
- Ecology, evolution, conservation, organismal biology, wildlife, management and field-based opportunities
- Education and environmental education opportunities
- Government agency opportunities
- Marine and aquatic biology opportunities
- Medical and human health opportunities
- Policy and advocacy opportunities
- Aquariums and zoos, veterinary medicine and wildlife rehabilitation opportunities
