Internship Opportunities

Keeler Gardens offers a robust variety of internships and volunteer opportunities for all ages. Whether you’re looking to get hands-on experience in the garden, build your organizational/technical skills, or gain service hours, we have a role for you! Interns and volunteers work year-round in both hands-on and administrative roles to improve Keeler Gardens. Work in the garden, write articles and blog posts, or manage our social media. We can use your help!

Continue reading to hear from our interns and to learn more about our jobs and programs.

If you are interested in joining us as an intern, or in sponsoring the internship program, contact Chief Operations Specialist, Gina Iliopoulos, Gina@KeelerGardens.org.

Jump To Job Descriptions
  • Gina, the lead horticulturist specialist, is in the foreground holding a ranunculus as volunteers sit and neel in the background over pots they are planting with bulbs and other plants.
    Volunteers at our Spring Planting Event
  • Intern, Kaitlyn, poses for a pic in front of the camera where she is sitting at her Chrome book researching local partners for Keeler Gardens.
    Researching our partners for our website.
  • Six seniors from Chicago Tech Academy pose on the front steps of Keeler Gardens for a photo. All are smiling even though it is cold and the snow is over a foot deep.
    Six interns from Chicago Tech take a break to pose for a group shot.
  • Two interns, seen from slightly above, one bending down on the left side of the picture removing a shovelful of dirt, and one standing at the top right with only her legs visible holding a shovel, are digging a large hole to plant a rosebush next to an ornamental rock feature. The clay soil appears gray and chunky as the sun is beating down on the working interns. The soil appears gray and chunky, and the sun is beating down on the working interns.
    Planting a rose bush in the pollinator habitat
  • Workman and intern look out french doors at Keeler Gardens. Workman is pointing up towards the needed repair and intern is looking and listening intently.
    Making plans for the next repair.
  • High school intern seen at the back of Keeler Gardens working on placing the rain barrels as he braves the snow and keeps working.
    Eric working on irrigation project

Keeler Gardens and After School Matters

Keeler Gardens has been working with After School Matters since 2018 to offer a unique professional experience to students. Our internship opportunities offer teens the chance to gain work experience and build their skill set, as well as meet other students with similar interests.

“A few skills that are universal in interns are dedication, critical thinking skills, and a continuous desire to learn. They will quickly discover that working at Keeler Gardens is a two-way street: utilizing their talents while learning more about them (and nature!) both directly and experientially.”  

Serena Westcott, ASM intern

All positions available through ASM are seasonal, based on their session schedule. If you’re interested in applying through After School Matters, visit their website here. If you have any questions we would be happy to speak with you, contact us here.

Five high school interns from across Chicago stand on the sidewalk in front of Keeler Gardens with Gina, the gardens’ lead horticulturalist, posing for a picture to commemorate their first day at work. On their left in the foreground and background is the educational pollinator habitat, with many of the native plants and bulbs in pots on the soil, not yet planted in the ground. Behind them to the left is part of Keeler Gardens’ front garden.
Interns with Gina

“I decided to work with Keeler Gardens because of my affinity for nature. Our human nature relationships extend beyond what we believe as individuals. This is where Keeler Garden came in, and helped me grasp our human nature relationship by deepening my connection with nature and positively influencing my mental health.”

Syeda, 2021 Fall ASM Intern

Job Descriptions

  • Horticulture Intern

Learn about plant materials, soil, and wildlife support. This role will give you experience on a variety of plant materials, design techniques, and environmental management.  

  • Horticultural Specialist Assistant Intern 

Shadow and assist Lead Horticultural Specialist to assist with detail work around the garden and administrative tasks supporting the horticulture at Keeler Gardens. 

  • Media Intern 

Support Keeler Gardens’ blog, Facebook, Twitter, GrowIt!, and Instagram profile by taking and organizing pictures and videos. This internship will give you experience in photography and supporting social media.  

  • Business Administrative Support 

Support Keeler Gardens in an administrative role. This role will educate on bookkeeping, donor relations, scheduling, and communication.  

  • Horticultural Documentation Intern 

Support Keeler Gardens in an administrative role. This will focus primarily on the documentation of all plants at Keeler Gardens. Additional responsibilities may include other documentation processes.  

  • Building Projects 

Building a variety of structures to support the mission of connecting with nature. This role will educate on basic building skills. This is an excellent opportunity for creative expression, including many aspects of art and cultural expression. 

  • Advanced Opportunity-Facilities

Opportunity to learn and develop management processes of all physical inventories on site, including systems, equipment, supplies, and materials. An additional broader scope relates to identifying structural issues, improvements, and risk management on site. Other projects may also be proposed. This role is related to other projects and roles, as it is in support of many aspects of site management. This role will educate on materials management skills along with the connection between overall processes and site needs in relation to the details of specific equipment and materials.