Get Involved

Launch Your Event Management Career at Botanica 

Be part of the team that helps bring Botanica's most beloved events and celebrations to life. 

Help bring Botanica's most memorable events to life while gaining hands-on experience in event planning, venue operations, and client relations. From weddings and corporate events to festivals and seasonal celebrations, you'll work alongside experienced professionals and gain exposure to every stage of the event process. Perfect for students seeking to build professional experience and explore careers in events, hospitality, tourism, communications, marketing, or business. 

Learning Focus Areas 

• Supporting the planning and execution of signature Botanica events, including Illuminations, BOOtanica, music festivals, and other special events. 
• Learning how event timelines, layouts, schedules, and operational plans are developed and managed. 
• Observing and assisting with vendor coordination, including caterers, decorators, planners, entertainers, and rental providers. 
• Gaining insight into venue rental operations, including pricing, policies, contracts, and client communications. 
• Understanding the business and financial aspects of events, including budgeting, invoicing, staffing considerations, and post-event reporting. 
• Supporting the planning and execution of weddings, showers, memorial services, corporate events, and family celebrations. 

Primary Responsibilities 

• Assist with rental event inquiries, client communications, and venue tours. 
• Support event planning activities, including timelines, layouts, logistical checklists, and event documentation. 
• Observe and assist with vendor coordination, event setup, and event teardown. 
• Assist with administrative and financial tasks related to event operations. 
• Participate in event-day operations and provide support as needed. 
• Complete internship reports and reflections connecting experiences to learning objectives. 
• Attend meetings and training sessions with the site supervisor as requested. 

Professional Development & Academic Alignment 

• Provides pre-professional, non-entry-level experience in event management and venue operations. 
• Allows application of academic coursework in a real-world nonprofit environment. 
• Supports the development of communication, organization, and professional accountability skills. 
• Offers mentorship, guidance, and regular feedback from experienced professionals. 
• Exposes interns to organizational business practices and event operations. 
• Supports required evaluations, documentation, and academic credit requirements. 

Internship Hours 

Botanica is happy to work with university internship coordinators to fulfill practicum or internship requirements for eligible education programs. Weekly scheduling will be coordinated with the site supervisor. 

Requirements 

• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills with the ability to communicate effectively with clients, vendors, staff, and guests. 
• Professional demeanor and a hospitality-focused mindset. 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. 
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment. 
• Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to take initiative. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team. 
• Comfortable working evenings, weekends, and special events as needed. 
• Ability to assist with event setup and teardown and work in both indoor and outdoor environments. 
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office and other business software applications. 
• Interest in event planning, hospitality, tourism, nonprofit management, communications, or a related field. 
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Enrollment in a college or university program related to event management, hospitality, business, marketing, communications, nonprofit management, recreation, or a related field. 
• Interest in pursuing a career in events, hospitality, venue management, or nonprofit administration. 
• Previous customer service, hospitality, volunteer, or event experience is helpful but not required. 

Gain Real Classroom Experience—Outside the Classroom 

Help inspire more than 10,000 students each year through hands-on STEM and environmental education at one of the Midwest's premier botanical gardens. 

Looking for a meaningful teaching experience before graduation? This internship gives aspiring educators the opportunity to build real classroom management and teaching skills while leading elementary and middle school students in an engaging outdoor classroom. 

Whether you're pursuing a career in elementary education, secondary education, environmental education, biology, or another education-related field, you'll gain valuable experience planning and facilitating lessons, managing student groups, and creating memorable learning experiences—all while working in a beautiful garden setting. 

What You'll Do 

As a STEM & Environmental Education Intern, you will support Botanica's educational programs for school groups, homeschool groups, daycares, youth organizations, families, and community visitors. You'll help create engaging outdoor experiences that connect students with science, nature, sustainability, and art. 

Interns will: 

• Assist with field trips and group visits serving students from preschool through middle school, including public schools, private schools, homeschool groups, daycares, camps, and youth organizations. 
• Lead hands-on STEM and environmental learning activities that encourage curiosity, exploration, and critical thinking. 
• Facilitate educational lessons aligned with Kansas State Standards, incorporating topics such as plant science, ecology, sustainability, conservation, and environmental stewardship. 
• Guide students through hands-on nature investigations, art projects, creative workshops, and inquiry-based learning experiences. 
• Facilitate outdoor activities such as garden exploration, nature walks, carousel rides, sensory activities, free play, and interactive learning stations. 
• Gain real-world classroom management experience by supervising groups of students and supporting positive behavior in an outdoor learning environment. 
• Assist with program logistics including participant check-in and check-out, attendance, activity transitions, lunch supervision, and general group management. 
• Prepare educational materials, classroom supplies, learning stations, and program spaces before and after programs. 
• Provide welcoming and professional customer service to students, teachers, parents, chaperones, and garden visitors. 
• Assist education staff with lesson preparation, curriculum planning, program evaluation, and the development of new educational activities. 
• Collaborate with experienced educators to improve programming and create meaningful learning experiences for diverse audiences. 
• Receive mentoring from education professionals and gain experience valuable for future teaching, education, and public engagement careers. 

Skills You'll Develop 

• Classroom management and student engagement 
• Lesson facilitation and instructional delivery 
• Inquiry-based and experiential teaching practices 
• Public speaking and presentation skills 
• Outdoor and environmental education techniques 
• Program planning and organization 
• Customer service and hospitality 
• Team collaboration and problem solving 
• Curriculum development and educational program evaluation 

Position Details 

• Competitive hourly pay: $12.00/hour 
• Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM (approximately 20 hours/week) 
• Semester: September 1-November 6, 2026 
• Flexible scheduling around university class schedules whenever possible 
• Résumé-building professional experience 
• Priority consideration for future employment opportunities at Botanica 
• Work in one of Kansas' most unique outdoor classrooms 

Internship Credit 

Botanica is happy to work with university internship coordinators to fulfill practicum or internship requirements for eligible education programs. 

Requirements 

• Ability to communicate effectively with children, families, teachers, and visitors. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and a hospitality-focused mindset. 
• Ability to engage and supervise groups of children in both structured and unstructured settings. 
• Comfortable working outdoors and adapting to varying weather conditions. 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. 
• Proactive problem-solving skills and willingness to take initiative. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team. 
• Basic proficiency with computer systems and point-of-sale (POS) technology. 
• Flexible and adaptable in managing a variety of daily responsibilities. 
• Must be at least 16 years old and legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.