Make 2026 count with a career-changing internship
A new year has a way of holding up a mirror.
It asks: “Are you doing the things you say you want to do?”
And for many aspiring conservationists, the honest answer is often: “Not yet.”
Not because you don’t care.
Not because you aren’t capable.
But because it’s scary and vulnerable to start.
Often it’s easier to stay in the comfort of planning, preparing, dreaming – “until you’re ready.”
But as Paulo Coelho reminds us:
“One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted. Do it now.”
That’s the heart of why experience matters.
Experience pulls you out of your head (where self-doubt lives) and into the real world.
It shows employers who you are – not just what you hope for.
And it shows you what you’re capable of, which is often far more than you think.
So here’s a bold question for 2026:
If this is the year you want things to change, what step will bring you closer to the conservation work you want to be part of?
This month, we’ve handpicked four conservation internships that can help you make 2026 count – not in theory, but in action.
Could one of them be the spark you’ve been waiting for?
Explore these Conservation Experiences
Internship Abroad in Peru – Rainforest Research
Become part of an international team of researchers, interns and volunteers and support the protection and conservation of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest through monitoring and research programmes.
Make 2026 count!
- Learn first-hand about the rich flora and fauna of the Peruvian rainforest, and human impacts on the Amazo.
- Get hands-on training in ecosystem monitoring, exploration and conservation.
- Conduct your own research and get support with your scientific project and fieldwork.
Internship Abroad South Africa: Research in Nature Conservation
Enjoy a rare opportunity to actively participate in research projects that support the conservation of South Africa’s unique ecosystems in collaboration with local communities – working amidst stunning landscapes from the coast and the sea to forested conservation areas.
Make 2026 count!
- Participate in data collection and wildlife monitoring in marine, coastal, river & estuaries, forest & fynbos areas, and urban areas.
- Complete data collection and research tasks on foot, and via vehicles, boats & kayaks.
- Benefit from the guidance of experienced mentors based in South Africa.
Intern Abroad Malawi: Wildlife Veterinary Medicine Lilongwe
Embark on a unique and immersive veterinary internship at a wildlife centre in Malawi’s capital Lilongwe! This program offers a rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience in wildlife veterinary medicine within a sanctuary environment.
Make 2026 count!
- Gain practical clinical skills and a broader understanding of wildlife care and rehabilitation.
- Play a significant role in supporting broader conservation efforts by contributing to the health and wellbeing of wildlife in a sanctuary setting.
- Note: This externship is exclusively for veterinary medicine students.
Sri Lankan Elephant Conservation Internship (with Conservation Career Kick-Starter)
Join this educational internship and immerse yourself in the daily difficulties that elephants face in Sri Lanka. You’ll participate by gathering crucial data that will contribute to a future in which elephants and people can coexist peacefully, in partnership with local communities.
Make 2026 count!
- Travel through deep jungles and large tea estates to gather critical data about elephant movements, behaviour and interactions with humans.
- Help solve the riddles of elephant behaviour and ecology using techniques including GPS monitoring, video traps and behavioural observations.
- Use skills, experience and training as a springboard for your career in conservation.
Looking for more ways to unleash your adventurous spirit? Explore all our Conservation Experiences with apprenticeships, internships and volunteerships around the globe.