Internships

Interns work with their mentor to come up with an individualized Learning Plan for the summer, attend weekly professional development seminars, and you may also complete a portfolio-worthy project.

At the end of the summer you will develop a professional poster and “elevator speech” about your KBS internship experience to be presented at the annual KBS Undergraduate Symposium, and write a professional blog post that will be shared on our KBS blog.

Dates:

This program is 10 weeks long and will run from May 17 – July 25, 2026 (students are expected to arrive on-site by 5 p.m. Sunday, May 17 and depart Saturday, July 25).

Hours:

Internships are typically part-time (20+ hours/week) to accommodate any courses you are taking. Hours typically increase closer to full time during the session you might not have a course commitment. Specific work hours will be arranged with your mentor.

Course Requirement:

As part of your learning experience you are should enroll in a course with MSU- either a virtual MSU course or an in-person course at KBS, depending on your academic program.  Interns are responsible for paying for the MSU tuition associated with their course(s). Please contact the MSU Office of Financial Aid if you will need summer financial aid.

Compensation:

$3500 stipend (20 hours/week) or $7000 stipend (40 hours/week) + FULL room & board scholarship.

Housing is equipped with small full kitchens so students have the ability to prepare meals on their own.

***Note that interns are hired as an MSU Intern and pay checks will have taxes withheld.

Learning Plan & Professional Development:

All Interns will work through the I@S program and develop a Learning Plan with their mentor that outlines specific learning goals for the Internship.  KBS offers a variety of Professional Development seminars throughout the summer designed to provide Interns with essential professional skills. ***Attendance of designated Professional Development seminars is required.

You may click HERE for detailed student info and the required forms for the Internships @ State (I@S) Program.

KBS Internship Program – Expectations and Weekly Timeline

KBS Code of Conduct

MSU I@State Requirements

If you need an accommodation of any kind that is not supported in what we have provided, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Summer 2025 Internship Positions

Avian Care Internship – Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

Mentors: Lisa Duke (Sanctuary Manager) and Brenden Kokx (Avian Caretaker)

RESPONSIBILITIES: 70% Wildlife Care – Intern will gain husbandry experience in waterfowl, upland gamebirds, and birds of prey. These duties may include but are not limited to:

• Animal Husbandry
• Feed and monitor flock health and welfare
• Raptor husbandry/training & glove handling animal ambassadors
• Exhibit maintenance & renovation, maintenance of nesting structures
• Enrichment evaluation
• Proper capture and handling techniques
• Veterinary procedures and health exams
• Bird surveys and citizen science projects (monitoring nest boxes)
• Working with and supervising volunteers
• 15% Education and Interpretation Responsibilities – example duties include:
• Leading educational tours and assisting in delivering public programs
• Production of educational and promotional materials
• Assisting with web page, blog, and social media posts
• Representing Sanctuary at schools, festivals, and events
• 15% Avian Care Project – A project focusing on the needs of the resident birds will be completed by the end of the summer. This project will be presented with a poster at the Summer Symposium (required attendance).

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in animal care preferred (volunteer, vet assistant, lab work, intern, etc.)
• Strong work ethic and good communication skills
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and ability to distinguish colors and sounds
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Computer skills desirable
• Ability to work both independently as well as part of a team

Forestry Internship – W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest

Mentors: K.J. Kettler (Forester & Manager) & Mickey Trimner (Forest Technician)

Kellogg Biological Station in collaboration with the Department of Forestry is pleased to offer a 2026 forestry internship opportunity at W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest. The intern will obtain experience facilitating forestry related research and land management at Kellogg Forest and other MSU outlying properties including, but not limited to, Fred Russ Forest and MacCready Reserve.

**This opportunity is for students currently pursuing a forestry focused degree**

Specific areas of focus typically include:

• Conduct and/or assist with inventory of standing timber, seedling regeneration, herbaceous flora, and invasive species
• Assist with timber sale set up and contract administration
• Research plot/plantation setup, maintenance, and data collection
• Assist with general maintenance of grounds/facilities and equipment as needed/directed
• Operate power tools (drills, chainsaws, etc.)
• Operate equipment (lawnmowers, skid steer, tractors)
• Interaction with public visitors in an outreach capacity
• Opportunity to lead assessment and development of unit management plan
• Opportunity to obtain hands on learning/knowledge related to prescribed fire

For more information about this opportunity please contact K.J. Kettler at Kettleri@msu.edu or 269-731-4597.

Visitor Experience Internship – Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

Mentors: Lisa Duke (Sanctuary Manager)

RESPONSIBILITIES: Intern will gain experience in providing excellent experiences for visitors. Some examples of responsibilities are:

• Run Wild Wednesday interpretive stations for visitors
• Help with on-grounds educational programs like guided tours and hikes
• Greet and assist visitors regarding their visit to the Bird Sanctuary.
• Assist callers and visitors with general Sanctuary, Biological Station and wildlife related questions.
• Perform cash register operations and complete daily deposits
• Social media posts and marketing
• Completion of agreed upon intern project focused on on-site self-guided experiences for visitors.

QUALIFICATIONS: Current Michigan State University student studying education, wildlife biology, ecology, biology, zoology, animal science, natural sciences or related field.

• Strong work ethic
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Computer skills desirable
• Ability to work both independently as well as part of a team.
• Valid driver’s license with good driving record
• Strong organizational skills
• Weekend hours required

MSU Extension Experience – MSU Extension

Mentors: Brooke Wilke and Christine Charles

• Take field and equipment measurements at the irrigation study plot at the Kellogg Biological station
• Visit on-farm soybean research plots in southwest Michigan and take needed in-field measurements
• Enter field data into correct online systems
• Creation and editing of select Extension educational outreach materials
• Assisting with field day events as needed
• Supporting in-season field work activities related to the KBS agroecology systems research as needed

• Strong work ethic
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Computer skills desirable
• Previous field work experience desirable, but not required
• Ability to work both independently as well as part of a team
• Valid driver’s license with good driving record
• Able and willing to take proper assessments to drive an MSU vehicle
• Strong organizational skills
• Willingness to learn new computer skills or programs for data entry

External Communications Internship – KBS Communications Team

Mentors: Sarah Czinder, Cara LaLumia

DESCRIPTION: The objective of this 10-week professional Internship is to facilitate the growth of the Intern’s communication skills in a story-telling and scientific context to reach a wide and varied audience. This Internship is unique because of its location at Michigan State University’s W.K. Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners, MI, where Interns have the chance spend a summer advancing in their field and learning about cutting-edge natural science.

The Intern will be trained by the KBS Assistant Director of Engagement and KBS Communication Coordinator in using MSU brand standards as a platform to communicate to the community via social media, web, and written communication. The Intern will be evaluated on their progress throughout the Internship and will have weekly check-in meetings with their mentor. There will be occasional weekend and evening hours for events.

At minimum, the Intern will assist the KBS Development & Community Relations Coordinator with the following tasks:

• Designing promotional materials promoting the significance of KBS research
• Connecting KBS alumni with current KBS on-goings
• Drafting, producing and distributing communication pieces and/or fundraising materials, and assisting with donor-related events

By the end of the Internship, the Intern will have:

• Completed portfolio-worthy projects that emphasize KBS research and/or impact
• Significant experience consistently communicating from a branded perspective
• Gained valuable skills and experience in relationship building, project management, and the planning and execution of communication projects

The ideal candidate for this Internship should have:

• A major in Communications, Profession Writing, Public Relations
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• An interest in communicating about science and/or research
• Ability to take a complex subject matter and communicate it to a wide audience
• A working proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (CS5.5 or higher)
• Enthusiasm for learning about the world around them and gaining new skills
• The ability to productively participate in and learn from critiques
• Effective time and project management skills, strong attention to detail

Candidates should be prepared to submit 3-5 portfolio pieces for consideration when applying.

Please email Sarah Czinder (scarroll@kbs.msu.edu) with questions about this Internship, or email KBS Academic Programs (KBSSummer@kbs.msu.edu) with questions about the KBS Internship program.

Applications for Summer 2026 will be open soon!

What will you need?

• • Ability to participate the entire program.
  • A PDF copy of your most recent transcripts- unofficial is fine
  • A PDF of your current resume
  • A statement of interest that highlights how this experience will enhance your learning and career goals, as well as a personal statement to give us more information about you. Each statement is 300 words max.
  • Contact information for at least one reference- no formal letter is required. We will notify you before contacting any references
  • For non-MSU students: If you are a student who plans to transfer to MSU (not yet an MSU student), a personal identification number (PID) is required to complete this application. To obtain a PID, please visit: https://reg.msu.edu/ROInfo/EnrReg/LifelongEducation.aspx to become a Lifelong Learning Student, and a PID will be assigned to you

Applications will close on February 1st, 2026. All applicants will be notified of final decisions by February 28th, 2026.

Applicants must be enrolled as college students during Spring/Summer 2025.  Preference for internship positions is given to MSU students, non-MSU students may be considered and can take their course requirement as a MSU LifeLong Learner.  Speak with your advisor about transferring course credits to your home institution.

Please contact the KBS Academic Programs Coordinator (KBSsummer@msu.edu) if you have a specific question about internships for Summer 2026. They can provide you with the most up to date information.