The Arboretum at Penn State offers seasonal internships in horticulture, youth and family programs, plant collections management, event management, therapeutic horticulture, and American chestnut research. Summer internships include multiple professional development opportunities, including both on- and off-campus field trips. Internships are currently available for the summer season and are typically 14 weeks in duration (May–August), although some opportunities may be extended or start earlier.
Internship opportunities are generally posted in fall/early winter. Interviews and hiring decisions are made in late winter/early spring.
Horticulture
Each summer, the Arboretum, in collaboration with the Office of Physical Plant, offers exciting internship opportunities for Penn State students eager to deepen their horticultural skills and gain valuable experience in public horticulture. Interns enjoy an immersive, hands-on learning experience, working alongside skilled horticulturists in various garden zones. Through a combination of practical training, field trips, and engaging discussion sessions, you will gain insight into sustainable landscape management and the inner workings of a public garden. As an intern, you will also play a key role in supporting experiential learning by guiding and mentoring our dedicated volunteers. This is a unique opportunity to develop expertise, network with professionals, and contribute to a thriving public garden while enhancing your résumé for future career opportunities in horticulture and environmental stewardship.
Application opening soon for a May start date. Check back for updates.
Application deadline: Sunday, January 31, 2027
For more information about these internships, you may contact:
Marek Pundzak
Director of Horticulture and Operations
126 Palmer Museum of Art
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-8080
marek@psu.edu
Youth and Family Programs
This internship provides a hands-on introduction to outdoor, place-based education in a children’s garden setting. Work with the Arboretum’s education staff to develop and facilitate nature-based programs and activities related to central Pennsylvania’s ecology, geology, history, and culture. The program will also expose interns to the world of public gardens, field trip facilitation, lesson planning, event planning, volunteer management, public relations, and donor support.
Apply for the Spring 2027 Youth and Family Programs internship
(Applications are on a rolling basis. Interviews for spring 2027 will begin in November 2026.)
Apply for the Summer 2027 Youth and Family Programs internship
(Applications are on a rolling basis. Interviews for summer 2027 will begin in February 2027.)
For more information about these internships, you may contact:
Jennifer Hooven
126 Palmer Museum of Art
University Park, PA 16802
814-867-4813
jtb149@psu.edu
Plant Collections Management
The Arboretum offers one paid, full-time summer internship in plant collections management for undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates interested in career paths in horticulture, plant science, ecology, museum studies, GIS, data information systems, geography, library science, or related topics. This internship helps to develop skills relevant to a career in collections management, plant curation, and professional horticulture. Interns work under the guidance of the Arboretum’s curator of living collections to learn plant collections management techniques and record keeping utilizing IrisBG desktop, ArcGIS, and other technology, as well as mapping, labeling, and inventorying the living collections at the Arboretum. This position also introduces interns to the world of public gardens and visitor services.
Apply for the Plant Collections Management internship
Application deadline: Friday, January 29, 2027
For more information about this internship, you may contact:
Mandy DiBella
Curator of Living Collections
126 Palmer Museum of Art
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-8080
apd5734@psu.edu
Events and Rental Management
The Arboretum offers one paid, part-time internship in events and rental management for undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates interested in career paths in hospitality; recreation, park, and tourism management; event management and staffing; public relations and guest services; or related topics. This internship helps to develop skills relevant to a career in professional event planning and execution. Interns work under the guidance of the Arboretum’s events and rentals manager to learn the ins and outs of departmental organization, timelines and diagrams, vendor agreements, client and attendee services, and on-site coordination at the various rental venues at the Arboretum. This position also introduces interns to the world of public gardens and visitor services.
Apply for the Events and Rental Management internship
For more information about this internship, you may contact:
Adrienne Eichenlaub
Events and Rentals Manager
126 Palmer Museum of Art
University Park, PA 16802
ajw266@psu.edu
Therapeutic Horticulture
The Arboretum offers one paid, part-time internship for undergraduate or graduate students interested in career paths related to therapeutic horticulture, lifelong learning, education, horticulture, rehabilitation and wellness services, volunteer management, and public gardens. This internship provides experiential learning in therapeutic horticulture programming primarily to seniors in rehabilitative care, supported through a public garden. Interns work with the Arboretum’s education and volunteer staff to develop, facilitate, and evaluate weekly therapeutic horticulture programs with residents at Centre Care, a local senior rehabilitation and wellness center. They assist with program preparation and delivery, perform horticultural tasks in accessible raised garden beds, and build relationships with Centre Care residents and staff. Through OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) at Penn State, interns gain experience with programming for older adults living independently. Interns also gain nonprofit volunteer management experience by working directly with the Arboretum’s volunteer programs manager.
Apply for the Therapeutic Horticulture internship
(Applications are on a rolling basis. Applicants may be contacted for interviews beginning in February 2027.)
For more information about this internship, you may contact:
Rachel Duke
Public Programs Manager
126 Palmer Museum of Art
University Park, PA 16802
red1042@psu.edu
American Chestnut Research
The Arboretum is offering one paid, full-time internship for undergraduate or graduate students interested in career paths in horticulture and related disciplines. Interns will learn silvicultural practices in a research field setting, working side-by-side with Arboretum staff to manage day-to-day chestnut research throughout the growing season. This internship focuses on the silvicultural research work being done to restore the American chestnut back to its native range. Interns will gain in-depth education and hands-on experience with American chestnut restoration and research efforts. They will also gain experience with greenhouse silvicultural techniques, controlled pollination techniques, pruning techniques, orchard maintenance, forest restoration, and environmental stewardship.
Application opening soon for a May start date. Check back for updates.
Application deadline: Friday, February 5, 2027
For more information about this internship, you may contact:
Noah Vincent
Chestnut Orchard and Greenhouse Manager
126 Palmer Museum of Art
University Park, PA 16802
nev5073@psu.edu