Overview

Participants of the Marine Exploration Center summer internship gain valuable, hands-on experience in the daily operations of a unique, education-driven aquarium service organization. Interns can expect to gain familiarity with the numerous aspects of aquarium maintenance and husbandry, while also engaging in public education programs.

Interns will primarily assist with general aquarium husbandry (food preparation, feeding, cleaning, water chemistry, equipment maintenance, etc.), and (following training) leading aquarium education programs such as touch tanks, behind-the-scenes tours, snorkel immersion programs, etc.

Program Schedule & Compensation

Start and end dates for the MEC summer internship are flexible, but typically begin the first week of June and conclude at the end of August. Interns are expected to commit 20 hours weekly for 12 weeks (schedule is flexible, and is generally coordinated the first week of the program). A $2,000 stipend is provided (distributed on a bi-weekly basis). Time off is unpaid and must be arranged ahead of time with the program coordinator.

Intern Project:

In the second half of the internship program, interns will conceive of and conduct an individual project (in coordination with the MEC curator). Projects should contribute to the MEC’s mission (i.e. expanding educational materials/programs, finding ways to improve guest experiences or animal health and well-being, etc.), and should not be duplications of past projects. Project results are presented by the intern to aquarium staff at the conclusion of the internship program.

Requirements:

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, ideally enrolled (or recently graduated from) an accredited college or university, and be capable of the various physical tasks involved in the daily responsibilities of the position.