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Stan Cummings Scholars

INTERNSHIP OPPorTUNITIES

Stan Cumming Scholars

High School Internship Program

Click here to learn about our Founder, Stan Cummings

2023/2024 

Welcome to Ocean Institute Stan Cummings Scholars Internship Program!

Internships at the Ocean Institute go from Fall – Spring with an intern showcase in the first part of June. Interns will gain hands on experience and a deep connection to Marine Science or Maritime History.

Internship Dates:

7/17: Internship Applications Open

8/14-9/1: Internship Interviews

9/13: Internship Awarded

9/26: Internship Orientation

9/29: Start date

11/18-11/26: Thanksgiving Break

12/5: 1st Intern Workshop

12/23-1/8: Christmas Break

2/27 – 2nd Intern Workshop

Spring Break – Align with your school break

4/23 – 3rd/Final Workshop

6/7:  Intern Showcase

 

Basic Requirements:

– 4 hour shift, 1 day a week for entire internship semester

-Promptness

-Open Communication (our primary communication is email)

-Function as a role model for dress and behavior at the Ocean Institute.

– Conduct in a professional manner by respecting all members and animals.

-Participation in end of semester showcase

Departments and Potential Projects:

Below are the different department and potential projects for interns. 

Husbandry

Husbandry Research Intern – Assist with animal care including tank cleaning, animal feeding, etc. and simultaneously, develop a research project utilizing part of our system. Available to both high school and college students. Shifts will be decided upon acceptance.

Development

Artifact Conservation Intern – develop a project investigating preservation techniques including maceration and articulation methods, catalog Ocean Institute’s natural artifact collection, regulate artifact care and learn about policy creation related to natural artifacts within a museum setting. *This internship requires working with recovered specimen and animal parts.* Available to both high school and college students. Available shifts: Monday through Friday, 9:00am – 4:30pm.

Nonprofit Grant Writing Intern – learn foundations of grant writing for a nonprofit including fostering of relationships with donors, outreach to potential donors, recognition work of grants received, document grant applications and due dates and working on fundraising campaigns. Available only to college students. Available shifts: Monday through Friday, 9:00am – 4:30pm.

 

Maritime

Maritime Intern – learn a broad range of skills relating to the upkeep and operation of a US Coast Guard certified vessel including, but not limited to sailing, marlinspike seamanship, vessel maintenance, compliance, safety at sea, leadership, bridge resource management and carpentry experience. Available to both high school and college students. Available shifts: Tuesday-Saturday, time dependent upon sail schedule. 

Public Programs

Beach Cleanup Intern – Plan and assist with beach cleanups day of, create and report data tracking system for trash collections and assign Lunch and Learn speakers to align with topics. Available to both high school and college students . Available shifts: Saturday through Sunday, 8:00am – 12:00pm. 

R/V Sea Explorer (Research Vessel)

Naturalist Intern – Undergo naturalist certification and act as a naturalist aboard 1 weekend cruise per week. Create informational talks/signage about marine mammals and develop the California Killer Whale Project field guide for the Marine Mammal Cruises. Available only to college students. Available shifts: Saturday through Sunday, 9:00am – 1:30pm. 

Ocean Productivity Research Intern – conduct research aboard the RV/SE for projects including phytoplankton and/or chlorophyll A. Available to both high school and college students. Available shifts: 9:00am – 1:30pm.

Regulation & Maintenance Intern – Document vessel activities, log catches and trawls, assist with vessel maintenance and standards. Available to both high school and college students. Available shifts: 9:00am – 1:30pm. 

 

School Programs

Curriculum Development Intern – create curriculum for the Ocean in Motion program by  developing materials that will educate elementary school age students and aligns with NGSS STEAM standards. This intern will work with the school programs team to develop programming. Available only to college students. Available shifts: Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm as well as remote options.

Marketing

Marketing & Social Media Intern – aligning with the mission of Ocean Institute, develop and execute Ocean Institute’s social media strategies and portfolio by amplifying brand identity/social presence and organizing user-generated content from multiple sources, plan and prepare a social media calendar in support of the Marketing Coordinator. Available only to college students. Available shifts: Wednesday through Friday, 9:00am – 4:00pm

Applications are now closed.

Intern Application must be completed by teen applying for program. Some sections require parent/guardian information or signature. Parents or guardians are not to complete application on behalf of participant.

Application will take about 20 minutes to complete. 

FAQ

Please see below for frequently asked questions!

How long is the internship program?

October – June

How frequent are the required shifts?

Once per week – the day is dependent on your department. 

Am I required to work on holiday weeks?

The following breaks are built into the program:
Thanksgiving: 11/19-11/27
Winter: 12/17 – 1/2
Spring: Align with their spring break

Who can intern?

The majority of our internships are open to both high school and college students. The Nonprofit Grant Writing Intern, Naturalist Intern, Curriculum Development Intern, and Marketing Intern positions are available to college students only. 

Where do I apply?

Use the application button above!