Gainesville Garden

PETAL: College Internship

Public Engagement, Teaching and Learning College Internship

The PETAL College Internship provides meaningful volunteer opportunities at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville, for education and plant science students at neighboring colleges. The program offers students hands-on experiences that complement academic coursework while meeting any required volunteer field hours. By engaging students in real-world, education-driven tasks within the Garden, the program cultivates a new generation of educators and plant enthusiasts while supporting the Garden’s goal of connecting people with plants.

Program Description

This unpaid internship offers college students a broad range of experiences. Interns assist with educational programming, horticulture classes and other Garden-led learning experiences, with a strong emphasis on education-focused tasks.

  • Garden aprons and supplies are provided to interns during their internship.

  • Students will keep a journal documenting their experience.

  • Students will complete a personal project to present at the conclusion of the internship.

Program Structure

All shifts will be fulfilled at the Gainesville Garden, 1911 Sweetbay Drive, Gainesville, Ga. No shifts will be scheduled at the Atlanta Garden.

Schedule: Students are required to volunteer at least three weekdays and one Saturday per month, working three-hour shifts, for a total of four shifts per month. Schedules will be given at the beginning of each semester. Students are allowed two absences; upon the third absence, they will be dismissed from the program.

Cohort size: Maximum of four students per semester.

Roles and tasks: Support Garden educators, assist in classes, help prepare instructional materials and facilitate community engagement. Tasks are not limited to those listed and may include other duties.

Spring Semester 2026 Deadlines:

  • Applications due Jan. 24, 2026

  • Interviews will be scheduled between Jan. 27-29, 2026

  • Introduction meeting for chosen participants will be held in person Jan. 30, 2026 at 2 p.m.

  • Volunteer hours begin the week of Feb. 2, 2026

  • All service hours must be completed no later than April 24, 2026

Program Requirements

  • Must be eligible to work in the United States

  • Able to work outdoors in a variety of conditions

  • Must be 18 years or older by the start of the internship and a registered college student

  • Must have a non-relative adult (such as a teacher, mentor or supervisor) submit a recommendation form on the applicant’s behalf upon completing the application

  • Willing to follow policies and procedures of the Atlanta Botanical Garden

  • Able to receive and interpret instruction

Apply here