The Morton Arboretum offers a range of internship, research, and student learning experiences across the organization. Opportunities vary from year to year based on departmental needs, available funding, and partnerships with colleges, universities, and other organizations.
In addition to Arboretum-funded opportunities, the Arboretum welcomes students who receive funding or academic support through their college, university, fellowship, grant, or partner organization when their interests and learning goals align with an appropriate Arboretum project and staff capacity.
View Current Openings
Looking for a paid internship or other employment opportunity at The Morton Arboretum?
Morton Arboretum-funded internships and other paid positions are posted as they become available on our Employment page.
View open internships and employment opportunities.
Have External Funding?
Some students come to the Arboretum with funding or academic support provided by their college, university, fellowship, grants or sponsoring organization.
If you have external funding or institutional support and are interested in a Student Affiliate learning experience at the Arboretum, you may submit a brief interest form.
Inquiries will be reviewed based on alignment with current projects, departmental needs, timing, and staff capacity. Please note: Submitting an interest form does not guarantee placement.
Additional questions? Email us at internships@mortonarb.org.
Internships and Student Learning Areas
Explore examples of the types of internship, research, and student learning experiences hosted at The Morton Arboretum. Specific opportunities and availability may change from year to year.
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Students gain practical experience caring for and managing plants within a world-renowned living collection. Working alongside horticulture and collections professionals, interns build skills in plant care while learning how public gardens manage diverse landscapes and plant collections.
Areas for Growth:
- Plant identification
- Horticultural practices
- Living collections management
- Plant records
- Seasonal care
- Teamwork
- Careers in public horticulture
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Operations and Planning | College of DuPage partnership
Students gain hands-on experience supporting the equipment and operational needs of a large public garden. Working alongside experienced staff, interns apply classroom learning in a professional environment while developing practical skills related to equipment maintenance and repair.
Areas for Growth:
- Equipment inspection and maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Repair practices
- Workplace safety
- Tools and equipment
- Careers in facilities and skilled trades
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Science and Conservation, Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI)
Through a partnership with the Student Conservation Association (SCA), students and emerging professionals gain hands-on experience with The Morton Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative while contributing to work that supports trees and communities across the Chicago region.
Experiences vary by year and available projects and may include fieldwork, community-based projects, data collection, tree care, research, and other work supporting the health and resilience of the region’s urban forest.
Areas for Growth:
- Urban forestry
- Field experience
- Community engagement
- Data collection
- Tree care and conservation
- Teamwork
- Career exploration
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Science and Conservation
Students gain hands-on experience with scientific collections and research while working alongside Arboretum staff. Depending on the project, work may include specimen cataloging and preparation, digitization, database management, collections curation, and supporting ongoing research.
Areas for Growth:
- Scientific collections
- Data and records management
- Specimen curation
- Digitization
- Research practices
- Plant science
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Science and Conservation
Undergraduate students with little or no experience learn about tree science and what it’s like to be part of a research lab team. Students are mentored and trained under scientists in the Center for Tree Science as they assist in laboratory and/or field operations. Students gain experience with research design, data collection and analysis, and scientific communication while exploring careers related to trees, forests, conservation, and the environment.
Areas for Growth:
- Scientific research
- Field and laboratory methods
- Data analysis
- Critical thinking
- Science communication
- Collaboration
- Career exploration
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Science and Conservation
Undergraduate students conduct an independent research project alongside scientists in the Center for Tree Science. Students gain experience with research design, data collection and analysis, scientific communication, and presenting their work while exploring careers related to trees, forests, conservation, and the environment.
Areas for Growth:
- Scientific research
- Field and laboratory methods
- Data analysis
- Critical thinking
- Science communication
- Collaboration
- Career exploration
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Science and Conservation
Students who previously participated in the Arboretum’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program can return to continue and deepen their research. Fellows build on an existing research project with guidance from Center for Tree Science mentors and may connect their work to an honors or senior thesis.
Areas for Growth:
- Independent research
- Advanced research methods
- Project ownership
- Scientific communication
- Preparation for graduate study or science careers
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Graduate students enrolled in a PhD or masters program and working on projects broadly aligned with the Arboretum’s mission and research priorities may receive research support and/or summer salary while building scientific collaborations with Center for Tree Science staff.
Areas for Growth:
- Independent research
- Network building
- Project ownership
- Scientific communication
- Preparation for science careers