Georgia Aquarium Veterinary Externship Program

Georgia Aquarium provides veterinary students the unique opportunity to gain experience in the field of aquatic animal medicine at one of the largest aquariums in the world. The hospital is located within the Correll Center for Aquatic Animal Health which is supported by four clinical veterinarians and a veterinary resident, four veterinary technicians, a veterinary technician assistant and an animal health coordinator (also a tech). The Georgia Aquarium has a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital with equipment comparable to that found at a teaching hospital or specialty practice. Through a partnership with the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, we have an established aquatic veterinary pathology program as well as a growing clinical partnership with the zoological medicine service. The aquarium also employs a full commissary staff and an extensive water quality team.

Externships are a minimum of 4 weeks and a maximum of 6 weeks in duration. Preference will be given to 3rd and 4th year students, but all veterinary students may apply. Externs must be currently enrolled in a veterinary degree program during their scheduled externship. International applications are welcome; however, any visa requirements are the sole responsibility of the applicant. Work hours are typically Monday to Friday 7:00 am – 4:30 pm, but may vary depending on the medical needs of the collection. Students should be flexible if asked to work on the weekend. A current tetanus vaccination and health insurance are required.

A list of affordable and safe housing options will be provided to externs; however, the student is required to secure and finance their own housing. Students should provide their own transportation to and from the aquarium; parking at the aquarium is provided. There is limited public transportation in Atlanta.

In addition to seeing clinical cases with the veterinary staff on a daily basis, students will spend time working in the commissary and water quality laboratory. They will also assist in performing necropsies, complete medical records and observe in the diagnostic laboratory. Individuals are expected to complete a research or special project and give a 45min PowerPoint presentation during the last week of the externship. We will provide both required and recommended reading lists intended to broaden the student’s knowledge base in aquatic animal husbandry and clinical care.

Applications for externships scheduled from July 2024 through June 2025 are due by OCTOBER 1, 2023.  Applications are reviewed after all have been received.  All applicants will receive notification regarding final decisions by December 15, 2023.

Required Application Materials:

  • Letter of intent
  • Curriculum vitae/resume
  • Veterinary School transcript, electronic copy (unofficial is acceptable)
  • Three letters of recommendation submitted directly by author
  • Three sets of available dates in order of preference

Submit applications materials to clinical@georgiaaquarium.org with “Vet Extern Program” in the subject line. It is the student’s responsibility to check that their application is complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

For additional questions or inquiries, please e-mail: clinical@georgiaaquarium.org

Deadlines

Applications for externships scheduled from July 2023 through June 2024 are due by OCTOBER 1, 2022.  All applicants will receive notification regarding final decisions by December 15, 2022.

Please note: There are some dates externships may not be available, so please provide three different sets of dates.

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