Volunteers and Internships
From visitor experience to animal care, volunteers and interns serve in nearly every department at the Aquarium.
Plus, you’ll help work toward our mission to protect the blue planet while gaining valuable, hands-on experience.
Volunteer at the Aquarium
Volunteer opportunities are available year-round in many different departments. Most positions require a six-month commitment, and volunteers work one full day a week (8 a.m.–6 p.m.). Limited weekend positions, short-term, and one-time opportunities are also available.
Volunteer duties include:
- Preparing food for the penguins, fish, and seals,
- Feeding the animals in the Giant Ocean Tank,
- Educating and interacting with visitors,
- Assisting with animal enrichment activities,
- Conducting research on conservation projects,
- Taking photos at special events,
- And more!
Please note: Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age to participate, and at least 18 for most positions. For opportunities for teens 14 and older, please see our Summer Teen Internship program.
Volunteer FAQs
Find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about volunteering at the Aquarium below. Don’t see your question? Reach out to volunteer@neaq.org.
We offer paid and volunteer internship positions for high school students through our Summer Teen Internship program.
We ask our volunteers to commit to one full day a week for a minimum of six months. For most positions, a “full day” is roughly 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Yes, however, weekend positions are the most sought-after positions, and there is currently a waitlist for weekend opportunities.
Unfortunately, due to limited staff availability and space, we are unable to accommodate large groups of volunteers at the Aquarium.
Volunteers who are SCUBA-certified are able to dive in the Giant Ocean Tank but first must complete six months as an Assistant Dive Volunteer, which is a dry (no diving) position. Assistant Dive Volunteers are eligible to become Diver Volunteers dependent on performance, Dive Team Vacancies, number of open-water dives logged, and results of written and practical tests from our Diving Safety Officer.
Aquarium Internships
Our internships offer college students, recent graduates, and career-changers experience in nearly every department of the Aquarium—from marketing to animal care.
Spring, summer, and fall internships are 12 to 16 weeks long (see individual position descriptions for specific requirements), while January term internships range between four and six weeks and require a minimum of 125 total hours. Not all positions are available year-round and the time commitment varies slightly depending on the department. Internships are unpaid and we do not provide housing assistance.
Summer Teen Internships
For teens aged 14 and over, our Summer Teen Internship Program offers paid roles for young people in Boston, Cambridge, and the suburbs.
Apply to be a Volunteer
Applications for Aquarium volunteers are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
