Paid Opportunities and More for Teens

Get the details about internships and jobs at wildlife parks around NYC, a podcast challenge, and free arts programs!  

Sign up here for our teen newsletter to stay up-to-date about all of our opportunities for teens. You can also find info about our programs and internships at bklynlibrary.org/teens, and follow us on Instagram @bklynfuture. 

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has several job, internship and volunteer opportunities available for young adults (ages 14-26) at their five wildlife parks: Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo and New York Aquarium.

WCS Youth JIVE (ages 14-26): Virtual Job Expo on Saturday, Feb 4
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is hosting its 7th annual WCS Youth JIVE (Job, Internship & Volunteering Expo) on Saturday, February 4, 2023. The event is fully virtual.  JIVE attendees will have the opportunity to attend professional development workshops and career panels. You will also learn about all of the volunteer, internship, and job opportunities for youth (ages 14-26) at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and New York Aquarium and connect directly with hiring managers. Volunteer and intern positions are available to youth 14+, paid jobs are available to youth 16+.
More info here. Register now at: https://bronxzoo.com/teens/wcs-youth-jive.

WCS Education Jobs (ages 18+)
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Education Department is recruiting for seasonal job opportunities at its five zoos and aquarium.
Click HERE for more info, including position descriptions and links to applications. Application deadline: accepted on a rolling basis until positions are filled

Discovery Guide Volunteer Program (ages 14-22)
The Discovery Guide program is an educational volunteer opportunity for New York City youth ages 14-22 at all 5 Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Zoos & Aquarium: Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and the New York Aquarium. Typically we offer a spring and summer session. As a Discovery Guide, you will engage park visitors in fun, educational activities throughout the park; assist with education programs; and support wildlife and the environment through WCS advocacy campaigns.
For more information and to apply, visit: https://bronxzoo.com/volunteering/discovery-guide-volunteer-program/learn-more.
Application deadline for Spring program: February 8, 2023.

Project TRUE (Teens Researching Urban Ecology) Internship (current 11th Grade Students)
Calling all Bronx high school juniors! Spend your summer conducting field research in NYC with a team of college students and scientists from Fordham University and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Contribute to ongoing research projects that improve our understanding of NYC wildlife.
For more information and to apply, visit: https://bronxzoo.com/teens/project-true
Application deadline: March 15, 2023

Studio Institute: Teen Apprenticeship Program
The Teen Apprenticeship Program (TAP) is a dual program for teens age 16 years or older by July 1, 2023. They'll first train as apprentices with an artist instructor and learn how to teach art to younger children. The spring apprenticeship takes place on Saturdays and select Tuesdays in May from March 4 to June 3, 2023. Upon successful completion of the spring apprenticeship, they will qualify for a paid summer internship teaching art to young children at day camps from July 10 to August 18, 2023. Apply here by February 9, 2023. 

NPR Student Podcast Challenge
NPR’s competition for middle and high school students is running from 1/6 through 4/28. Student podcast challenge judges will pick winners in two categories: grades five through eight and grades nine through 12. Podcasts can be in any format, about any topic, but must not exceed eight minutes in length. Winners will have the chance to have their podcasts played on NPR, and to be interviewed by our hosts on the radio.
Read more about the competition and its prizes here. 

ArtsConnection: Free Teen Opportunities: Apply Now!
Applications for the below arts programs are now open and will stay open until all spots are filled. 

OnTRaC: Get paid to plan your career in the arts! OnTRaC is FREE with a $140 stipend. This college and career readiness program is specifically designed for young people interested in going into the creative industries. OnTRaC meets Tuesdays beginning February 14 and runs through May. 

Teens Curate Teens (Curators): An exhibition that is for teens and by teens. TCT brings together NYC high school artists and curators to produce a public, group art exhibition based on a subject selected by teens. This year’s theme is Body Positivity and Body Neutrality. TCT meets weekly beginning the week of February 13 and runs through May. 

Teen Reviewers and Critics (TRaC): is a FREE program for NYC teens to explore the arts. Participants spend ten weeks attending cutting-edge theater, dance, and music performances; visiting artist studios, galleries, and museums; mastering NYC’s subway system; learning the art of discussion and critical writing; producing media content; and so much more! TRaC meets weekly beginning the week of March 6 and runs through May. 

Pizza and a Movie (PaaM): Pizza and a Movie (PaaM) Night is a free monthly movie night, hosted at the 53rd Street branch New York Public Library. Teens (ages 14-19) can enjoy free pizza, meet students from all over NYC and watch a movie that they vote on from a themed three movie menu. Post movie, we talk about the winning film.  

Student Art Program: Exhibit your artwork, build your portfolio, each exhibiting artist gets a $100 Blick gift card. We curate from original artwork and take care of it and return It if unselected. If your work is selected, it is framed and installed in a group show of teen artists across NYC. Your artwork will be in our permanent online gallery. First deadline to submit: January 29 

Teens Curate Teens (Artists): Make a statement with your art. Your work will be viewed by Teen curators and if selected will be in a live exhibition of Teen artists and you will get a $100 Blick gift card. Connect with a community of creative teens like you who want to use their art as a voice of teens and to effect change.