The Ultimate Internship FAQ
Have some questions about what it’s like to intern for the largest animal rights organization in the world? Well, look no further—we have answers!
How do I apply?
If you’re ready to help animals, we’re ready to help you. 🙂 Our general internship applications are accepted year-round! To be considered, please e-mail the following to us at [email protected]:
- A cover letter
- A résumé (Tell us about the animal rights club that you started, your volunteer work with an open-admission animal shelter, or even that summer you spent in Madrid.)
- Three letters of recommendation (These should be from teachers, managers, etc.—accolades from your mom won’t cut it!)
- A video, a PowerPoint presentation, or something else that shows off you and your personality (This is your chance to wow us.)
Are internships available remotely?
Good news! As long as there are motivated and caring people like you, there are always opportunities to help animals. E-mail us if you’re ready to take the next step in your animal rights journey.
How long am I expected to intern?
All great things must come to an end eventually, but we’re looking for a minimum of six weeks. We want to make sure that you have a meaningful learning experience, and anything shorter than six weeks wouldn’t be beneficial to you.
How much will I get paid?
Because of the extensive hands-on time you’ll spend with your mentor and how much you’ll learn, our animal rights internship positions are unpaid. However, we are seeking animal-friendly, compassionate individuals with more experience and the ability to work independently to join our team. For more information on job opportunities, please visit PETA.org/Jobs.
Can I get college credit for participating in an internship?
Yes, it’s possible to get college credit for participating in an internship with PETA or the PETA Foundation—in fact, we encourage it! Almost all our interns earn school credit for their internships, and we look forward to working one on one with you and your school to provide you with the best educational experience possible. Requirements for receiving internship credit vary by school, so we recommend that you check with the career services office at your school.
Application Requirements
I’m interested in interning, but do I qualify?
We’re looking for interns who are ready to learn more about animal rights issues, are eager to engage in activism, and want to see how a nonprofit organization works. Whether you’re new to animal rights activism or a seasoned veteran, we want to work with you!
Here are some basic requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- You must support PETA’s philosophy. (Get familiar with the issues by clicking here.)
What if I live outside the U.S.?
Both PETA and the PETA Foundation accept interns from around the world. Our organization does not participate in J-1 Visa sponsorship or other exchange visitor programs. If you’ve been accepted, you’ll receive a letter confirming your internship.
If you’re interested in interning outside the U.S., feel free to check out some of our international affiliates for more information:
Am I required to be vegan?
Out of respect for animals and the work that PETA and the PETA Foundation do, all interns are required to be vegan while on PETA and PETA Foundation property. This includes diet (no meat, eggs, dairy, honey, or other animal-derived foods), personal-care items (no products that are tested on animals or contain animal-derived ingredients), and clothing (no leather, silk, down, wool, or other animal-derived materials).
#PETALife and Organizational Culture
What does the day-to-day life of a PETA intern look like?
Each internship is unique in the experiences it provides. You’ll get to work with (not for) staff members to sharpen your skills as an animal rights activist. You’ll help raise awareness of animal rights through outreach and creative endeavors, enhance your skills through training and seminars, make real change in the lives of animals, and do so much more. Your talents, skills, and personal interest in animal rights are matched with projects, resulting in endless possibilities to take action and live your values!
You can always count on being part of grassroots activities such as taking part in socially distanced and safe demonstrations, performing community outreach, conducting online research, assisting with promotional social media posts, and getting the animal rights message out locally, nationally, and internationally through various efforts. There will be times when interns help prepare mailings, make phone calls, and the like—which are all a part of learning what it’s like to work at organizations like PETA and the PETA Foundation. And while tasks may vary from day to day, interns will also complete internship-long projects planned in consultation with their mentors when they start.
Goals are a big deal to us, and we expect all interns to come up with some of their own once they get familiar with our organization. We’ll work with you on accomplishing your goals and strive to ensure that you get the educational experience you’re looking for.
How many hours would I be expected to intern each week?
For the most part, we’re pretty flexible. We want to make sure that you get a great learning experience, so let us know what would be best for you and we’ll see whether that’ll work. Typically, interns work around 30 to 40 hours each week, but participation in various efforts outside normal business hours may be requested.
Will I be able to travel?
One of the many highlights of interning with PETA or the PETA Foundation is the opportunity to travel with campaigners. This option depends on the events that are planned during each internship. When it’s safe to hit the streets during your internship, you can look forward to participating in events and getting many other opportunities to speak up for animals!
I really want to get a job at PETA—does interning help me out with that?
We can’t guarantee that you’ll be offered a position if you intern, but you will get the opportunity to network with staff members and prove to us that you’re a great fit for a position. Quite a few staff members were once interns, so interning is a great way to get your foot in the door.
What’s your organizational culture really like?
Want to learn more about what our staff, interns, and volunteers really think of PETA and the PETA Foundation?
The reviews are in! Here’s what some #PETAInterns have to say about their experiences:
- “From completing training courses and in-depth research projects to planning outreach events and attending demonstrations, PETA’s internship program allowed me to accomplish my goals and grow a voice!”
- “One of the key takeaways from this internship is the energy it has provided me with. I feel a newfound power to make change. I feel a newfound responsibility to make change. My desire to do more and more is only increasing, and I owe it all to PETA for showing me all these incredible channels to get involved.”
- “My internship at PETA was the greatest experience I have ever had in my life. I was given the opportunity to travel, meet amazing staffers and animal rights activists, participate in several demonstrations, and learn ways to become a better advocator and activist for animals each and every day. I have learned countless ways that PETA works every day to save and improve the lives of animals worldwide and how they promote compassion for all beings into each campaign and idea.”
- “I am very grateful for this amazing opportunity to be a positive force in the fight for animal liberation and for all of the individuals at PETA who have helped me become an even more effective animal activist.”
Check out PETA Life on Instagram or PETA Life on Twitter. Here, you can get the inside scoop from employees and interns on what it’s really like to work for PETA and the PETA Foundation.
Miscellaneous
Where are PETA’s offices that accept internships located?
PETA’s Norfolk, Virginia, headquarters—the Sam Simon Center—is home to the Human Resources Department, Community Animal Project, Operations Department, International Grassroots Campaigns Department, Special Projects Division, Literature Department, Merchandise Department, and much more.
You’ll find part of PETA’s Communications Department, the Legal Department, the Special Projects Division, and the International Grassroots Campaigns Department at the Washington, D.C., office—the Nanci Alexander Center for Animal Rights.
Need More Info?
If you have a question we didn’t answer, shoot us an e-mail at [email protected].
