School Programs

Summer High School Internship

The application submission period for the Summer 2024 High School Internship cohort has closed. Please check back in January 2025 to apply for next year's program.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is looking for enthusiastic and driven high school students, 16 years and older, interested in science and plant careers. Students will work alongside expert Garden staff to cultivate, conserve, and teach others about our plant collections in the heart of Atlanta. In addition, interns will gain invaluable college and career readiness skills from community leaders while connecting with their intern cohort. Intern experiences vary, but may include working in a plant conservation research lab, cultivating rare plants in the conservation greenhouses supporting the Fuqua Conservatory and Orchid Center, or maintaining outdoor spaces like the Edible Garden or Storza Woods.

For questions regarding the internship program, please email lboren@atlantabg.org. Additional information along with the application, can be found below.

We are delighted that Title I programming is supported by a contribution from Honda.

Internship Information

  • Selected applicants will be invited to a group interview session in the spring on either Saturday, April 6 or Saturday, April 13.
  • Those chosen to participate in the internship will be invited with their guardians to attend a virtual orientation session on Zoom scheduled prior to the start of the internship.
  • Students commit to a regular schedule of 18 hours per week, Tuesdays through Thursday, for 7 weeks June 4-July 18. Please note that Juneteenth and July 4th are observed holidays.
  • MARTA cards or parking passes are provided to interns depending on their mode of transportation.
  • Snacks and lunch are provided to interns.
  • Students are paid an hourly wage $11/hr, paid in bi-weekly installments.
  • Garden shirts and supplies are provided to interns during their internship
  • Students will keep a journal documenting their experience.
  • Students will be responsible for a personal project that they will present at the conclusion of the internship.

Requirements

  • Must be eligible to work in the United States.
  • Able to work outdoors in a variety of conditions, and inclement weather.
  • Able to lift 40 lbs and carry out physically demanding tasks.
  • Must be 16 years or older by June 4, 2024 and a rising sophomore, junior, or senior in a metro-Atlanta Title I school.
  • Must submit a completed internship application no later than Friday, March 29, 2024.
  • Must have a non-relative adult (e.g. teacher, mentor, boss) submit a recommendation form on applicant’s behalf no later than Friday, March 29, 2024.
  • Willing to follow policies and procedures of the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
  • Able to receive and interpret instruction.

Past Intern Experiences

 “The best part about working in my placement was my mentors. They taught me everything and made me feel comfortable even though I did not have a lot of experience.”
– A’Lasia Brown

“The best part about working in conservation was actually talking with everyone and learning from them. Everyone is so passionate about what they do and it’s something you can just feel and realize. Also, working hands on was super fun. One day I’d be working with DNA and genetics, the next day with seeds, and the next with bees! So all this moving around and learning different studies in conservation is what I enjoyed.”
– Allan Gramajo

“…this experience has helped to shape me, especially as a woman in science. Being able to work one on one with a woman who works in this field and is passionate about what she does has been incredible. Being able to get advice from her and begin to map out my future college/ career opportunities. I’ve grown more confident in my placement, and learned the ropes a little bit. I am able to tell people about my internship and responsibilities, and explain why the amphibian program here is so important.”
– Stella Steely