Internship
Become a Project TRUE Field Research Assistant! You will spend your summer and fall conducting field research at the Bronx Zoo with a team of college students, scientists and Educators from Fordham University and the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Eligibility
- High school sophomore or junior in good standing.
- Comfortable in both indoor and outdoor settings.
- Interested in science and the environment.
- Curious about how things work.
- Resident of the Bronx.
- The goal of Project TRUE is to increase the representation of women, black, and Latinx people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics). However, we encourage anyone interested in Project TRUE to apply.
What field research assistants do
- Contribute to ongoing research projects that improve our understanding of NYC wildlife and green spaces.
- Collaborate with Fordham University and WCS scientists.
- Design and conduct an authentic research project.
- Present research findings to the scientific community and the general public.
- Work at the Bronx Zoo, the global headquarters of the Wildlife Conservation Society.
What field research assistants receive
- Mentoring from Fordham University graduate and undergraduate students, as well as WCS educators.
- For the summer, interns either receive a $750 stipend OR are paid $16/hour through SYEP if eligible to work with WCS's authorized provider.
- For the fall, interns will receive a stipend of about $350.
- In-depth training and direct experience in planning, conducting, and presenting research.
- Assistance in applying for college and obtaining financial assistance.
- Memories, friends and mentors that will last a lifetime.
What WCS receives from the field research assistants
- Assistance collecting large-scale ecological data describing the NYC ecosystem.
- Help communicating to the public about urban ecology and conservation issues.
- Life-long environmental stewards and conservation advocates.
- Yearly follow-up survey data to learn from your experiences and improve the Program.
Program requirements
- Attend all sessions in the summer (3 days a week in July and August) and fall (14 Saturdays). Please note that unexcused absences, excessive tardiness, and other attendance-related issues may result in dismissal from the program.
- Work with a small research team to develop and carry out an authentic urban ecology research project.
- Participate in yearly follow-up surveys (20 min).
Program timeline
|
What |
When |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | January - February |
| Applications Due | Early March |
| Interviews | Rolling through late March |
| Offers Made | Rolling through late March |
| Summer Program | Late June - August |
| College Boot Camp | August |
| Fall Program | September - December |
| Bronx Science Consortium Poster Symposium | January |
We are now accepting applications for the 2025 Project TRUE program
If you have any questions, please email projectTRUE@wcs.org.