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Experiential Design Intern Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Experiential Design Intern information

What types of projects can an experiential design intern expect to work on, and how do these projects typically involve collaboration with other teams?

As an Experiential Design Intern, you can expect to work on projects that involve creating immersive environments or interactive installations for events, retail spaces, or branded experiences. These projects often require close collaboration with graphic designers, architects, marketing teams, and sometimes clients, to ensure that the design aligns with brand goals and user experience objectives. Interns may be involved in brainstorming creative concepts, assisting with digital or physical prototyping, and helping coordinate logistics for installations. This multidisciplinary teamwork provides valuable exposure to the full project lifecycle and helps develop both creative and communication skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an experiential design intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Experiential Design Intern, you need a solid understanding of design principles, spatial awareness, and a portfolio demonstrating creative problem-solving, often supported by coursework in design, architecture, or related fields. Familiarity with tools like Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, AutoCAD, and 3D rendering software is commonly required. Strong collaboration, adaptability, and communication skills help you work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and present ideas clearly. These skills ensure you can contribute innovative, user-centered solutions that engage audiences and support project goals.

What is the difference between Experiential Design Intern vs Event Design Intern?

AspectExperiential Design InternEvent Design Intern
Required CredentialsRelevant coursework, portfolio, basic design skillsSimilar credentials, often with focus on event planning or design
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, creative agencies, experiential marketing firmsEvent venues, production companies, marketing agencies
Industry UsageUsed in experiential marketing, brand activations, immersive experiencesUsed in event planning, corporate events, festivals

Experiential Design Interns focus on creating immersive brand experiences through design and creative concepts, often working in marketing or design firms. Event Design Interns typically assist in planning and executing events, with a focus on logistics and aesthetics. While both roles involve creative skills and industry overlap, experiential design emphasizes immersive experiences, whereas event design centers on event execution.

What does an experiential design intern do?

An Experiential Design Intern assists in creating immersive environments and interactive experiences for brands, events, museums, or retail spaces. Their work often involves collaborating with design teams, conducting research, developing creative concepts, and producing visual presentations or prototypes. The intern may also help with project coordination, material selection, and client presentations. This role is ideal for students or recent graduates interested in combining creativity, spatial design, and technology to engage audiences in innovative ways.

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Experiential Design Intern jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Experiential Design Intern job openings:

Infographic showing various Experiential Design Intern job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 17% Internship, 52% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution.

Unpaid Animal Care Internship - Giraffe (Fall 2026)

Memphis Zoo

Memphis, TN • On-site

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

Part-time

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

Animal Care Internship - Giraffe
Interns work directly with animal care staff to gain firsthand experience of all aspects of animal husbandry including diet prep, enclosure maintenance, training, enrichment, guest interactions and more. The goal of the program is to provide college students (or recent graduates) with pre-professional career experience through hands-on experiential learning opportunities.
Species: Reticulated Giraffes, Bongo and Red River Hog with the potential to work with Southern White Rhinos, Grant's Zebra and Scimitar-Horned Oryx.
This internship is unpaid but housing may be available seasonally. The program spans 10-12 weeks and participants will be scheduled up to 40hrs per week. Spring internships begin in January and end in May. Summer internships will begin in May and end in August. Fall internships begin in August and end in December.
Intern duties will vary upon season and departmental needs, but could include:
  • Assisting staff in all aspects of animal care including, but not limited to, diet preparation, exhibit cleaning/disinfection, maintenance, training and enrichment, record keeping, and guest interactions. Contact with class one animals is minimal and directly supervised.
  • Actively observing animal's behavior
  • Facilitates formal and informal public presentations to engage guests and provide a positive guest experience.
  • Assisting with the production of special events, animal celebrations, and awareness days
  • Maintaining animal areas, work areas, and all resources in a clean, organized manner
  • Completes a special project covering observations, research, enrichment or another area of interest.

Qualifications:
  • Must be a dependable, hard-working college student or recent graduate with an interest in the fields of education, interpretation, environmental science, biology, zoology, or zoo management or might be considering a change of career.
  • Must be able to work between 24-40 hours per week for 10-12 weeks.
  • Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
  • Must demonstrate enthusiasm and good judgement while working with children and zoo guests.
  • Must demonstrate excellent communication skills and the ability to follow directions.

Beneficial Skills:
  • Proficiency in Office 365, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of the job, the intern will frequently work in outdoor settings (Zoo grounds). When outdoors this position is required to work in various weather conditions including rain, humidity, and extreme heat or cold.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
This position requires frequent sitting/standing/walking/bending/kneeling and may occasionally move or lift objects up to 50 pounds.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Other Requirements:
  • 18 years or older.
  • Clear background check.
  • Clear TB screening.

EEOC and Inclusion Statement:
The Memphis Zoo believes that human diversity is as important as the biodiversity we seek to conserve. World-class zoos are comprised of world-class team members representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply.
The Memphis Zoo is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. If you need to request any accommodations for the interview or hiring process, please let the Human Resources team (HR) know. HR can be contacted at hrteam@memphiszoo.org.
The Memphis Zoo participates in E-Verify and is an EEO/ADA/Veteran employer.
All offers of internship are contingent upon the successful completion of pre-internship screening. Memphis Zoo is a drug-free workplace.
How to Apply:
Applications should be submitted via the Memphis Zoo Internships page. Please note that any other application submissions will not be considered.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.