Veterinary Externship

SC AQUARIUM • Charleston, SC

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The South Carolina Aquarium invites veterinary students entering or currently in their clinical year (third or fourth year) to apply for a 3- to 4-week externship. This application cycle is for externships taking place between March 1, 2028 and August 31, 2028. As an institution dedicated to conservation and education, the South Carolina Aquarium offers a unique opportunity to engage with local South Carolina wildlife.

The veterinary externship at South Carolina Aquarium will provide third and fourth-year veterinary students the opportunity to gain experience in aquatic animal medicine. During the externship, students will assist the Veterinary Department in providing health care to the South Carolina Aquarium's animal collection, including aquatic and terrestrial turtles, snakes, amphibians, teleosts, elasmobranchs, seabirds, raptors, aquatic invertebrates, and mammals. During the externship period, students will have the opportunity to assist or participate in case rounds, physical examinations, history taking, record keeping, diagnostic application, surgery, anesthesia, and necropsy in an aquarium/zoologic setting. Students will also be encouraged to review scientific literature and problem solve while reviewing individual cases. Students will have the opportunity to be on-call with the veterinary staff during the weekends of their externship period. Students may also have the opportunity to assist the veterinary staff and the Sea Turtle Care Center staff in managing the health and husbandry of sea turtle patients admitted to the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center, with a primary focus on Green, Kemp’s Ridley, and Loggerhead sea turtles. Externs will be responsible for completing a brief research project or literature review on a topic of their choosing to share with the veterinary staff.

The veterinary externship is a non-paid position, and students are responsible for arranging their own housing and transportation.

Requirements

• Veterinary students entering or currently in their clinical year (third or fourth year).
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of Intent (Please include your interest in aquatic and zoological medicine, your career objectives, and how this externship will help you progress toward your future goals)
• Two Letters of Reference (Letters should be from veterinarians familiar with your clinical experience)
• Expected graduation date

Responsibilities

• Assist the Veterinary Department in providing health care to the South Carolina Aquarium's animal collection.
• Assist or participate in case rounds, physical examinations, history taking, record keeping, diagnostic application, surgery, anesthesia, and necropsy.
• Review scientific literature and problem solve while reviewing individual cases.
• Be on-call with the veterinary staff during the weekends of their externship period.
• Assist the veterinary staff and the Sea Turtle Care Center staff in managing the health and husbandry of sea turtle patients.
• Complete a brief research project or literature review on a topic of their choosing to share with the veterinary staff.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree