Anyone can be an ally for wildlife. Every time a guest visits the San Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park, or works in their own community to protect wildlife, they unite with a global network of passionate conservationists striving to create a world where all life thrives.
We aim to include everyone in the vital mission of conservation, and that extends to staff as well. Across the myriad departments and specialties in our organization are dedicated professionals working to create hope for our planet’s wildlife. Recently, a new partnership transformed the way we can achieve this goal together.
Participants Tito, Doll, and Jenny joined the Zoo family in fall 2025 as part of Project SEARCH.
A Powerful Program
Last year, we began an exciting relationship with Project SEARCH. This transformative initiative works with organizations like ours to provide on-site experiences for young adults with disabilities, who often face barriers as they look for jobs, such as limited access to interviews and needing additional time to learn necessary skills.
This program provides a structured, supportive environment where interns can build confidence, learn at an appropriate pace, and gain real-world experience. There’s a strong focus on building skills that align with each individual’s long-term career goals, as well as skills common to entry-level roles. At the end of the year, the goal is for all participants to feel ready for the job market and to transition smoothly into competitive employment.
Project SEARCH operates across the United States, Europe, and Australia, and we’re honored to serve as one of two companies in San Diego to offer these internships.
Jenny worked with food services professionals as part of her year-long internship.
A Year Like No Other
In fall of 2025, we welcomed the first cohort of interns to the Zoo. Over the course of the year, the eight participants rotated through various areas of operation, from retail and food service to horticulture and wildlife care. By teaming up with other employees, the interns gained hands-on experience and personalized guidance they might not receive in other workplaces. And when they were ready, they were able to work more independently and harness the empowerment and self-advocacy they had developed.
This was an exciting opportunity to learn the inner workings of teams the public rarely gets to see, like wildlife nutrition and the print shop. For some, this special access awakened new interests in conservation work. Doll, one of the interns, remarked, “The amount of knowledge, accomplishments, and opportunities really makes my day feel brighter and fuels my newfound passion toward horticulture.”
The interns also received coaching outside of these individual work locations. Staff offered support with resume development and opportunities to practice interviewing, skills that will serve them throughout their careers.
Luis, Ryan, and Brian were part of the first cohort of Project SEARCH participants.
Lasting Impact
This first cohort completed their program in May 2026. By the end of the internship, participants had acquired practical skills and a year’s worth of on-site experience, as well as a deeper understanding of how they contribute to our larger conservation mission.
Along the way they made a remarkable impact on us too, bringing fresh perspectives and team spirit to their roles. They also allowed staff members to practice mentorship and fostering a workplace where everyone can succeed.
We’re excited that this collective impact continues with several of the participants, as five of the interns were hired into seasonal roles at the Zoo. Two are working in Education supporting summer camp programs, and three are working in food service locations.
For Tito, who was born and raised in San Diego, this full-circle moment is particularly meaningful. “What I like about working at the Zoo is the environment. It’s great to see everyone enjoying themselves with loved ones.”
The interns not only learned about different jobs at the Zoo, but connected with wildlife and our mission to protect species everywhere.
The Future Is Bright
Project SEARCH is more than just an internship—it’s a step toward building a more inclusive community where everyone can help change the world. Thanks to the first cohort’s success, a second group began working at the Zoo this fall. Our hope is that this important partnership can continue to grow alongside the participants and staff, bringing the power of conservation to more people than ever before. Because when we all share this work, our ability to protect the planet is limitless.
