We are now accepting applications for the 2024 season!
New! Marine Debris Program Internship – applications due 3/31 – Click here for info
We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated people to join us for our 2024 Summer and Fall Whale Research Internship Program. This is a fun and exciting opportunity to experience the daily challenges of studying wild marine life on the ocean and interact with and inspire the public to take action to protect marine life.
Overview
The ideal candidate will be outgoing, enthusiastic, detail-oriented, and have a strong desire to learn and teach. A desire to practice or improve public speaking skills is essential. Background knowledge of biology is helpful, but prior experience is unnecessary as this is an entry-level position. The internship is specifically geared toward college students, and we do not accept high school students (or anyone under 18). We welcome all majors and degree levels, including undergraduate and graduate students and those changing careers or in-between degrees.
Schedule: Positions are available full- or part-time; however, applicants who can commit to 5 days per week will receive priority. Interns must be available on weekends and holidays.
Summer internship: May 28 to August 16, 2024. This is a full-time position (40 hrs/week).
Fall internship: August 7 to October 13, 2024. This is a part-time position (40 hrs/week until Labor Day; then 10-20 hrs/week).
College Credit: We will help you arrange college credit if desired. It is your responsibility to find out how to get credit through your school, but we will complete any paperwork required by your school.
Compensation: A housing and food stipend of $3,000 is available for full-time summer interns. Part-time fall interns will be provided a stipend of $1,500.
Housing: Interns are responsible for finding housing. We will assist by putting interns in touch with each other as soon as possible to find a shared apartment/sublet. The University of New Hampshire (Durham, NH) has dorm rooms available; however, dining hall hours are limited.
Transportation: Interns must have reliable transportation. Public transportation is extremely limited in the seacoast area (taxis, Ubers only). Interns will work on a boat at Granite State Whale Watch in Rye, NH, and also need to attend training and meetings at our office in Portsmouth, NH.
Applications for the Summer and Fall Sessions are due January 15.
*Please note we cannot accept international students*
Data Collection and Public Outreach
Whale research interns work with our naturalists aboard a commercial whale watch vessel, the M/V Granite State. They collect detailed data electronically and educate passengers one-on-one about marine life in the Gulf of Maine, a thriving ecosystem known for some of the best whale-watching in the country. Whale watch trips are 4-5 hours each, with two trips back to back most days. Interns spend the day outside, on deck, in all weather and sea conditions. On these trips, you will search for whales and other marine life, record detailed data on animals, behaviors, and marine debris, interact with passengers of all ages and backgrounds, and explain teaching tools such as baleen.
Training and Meetings
Mandatory group meetings will occur weekly and may include Blue Ocean Society staff members. Meetings may consist of paper discussions, guest speakers, and additional skill learning. Interns will also participate in field trips to expose them to other marine science and conservation areas. There will be an orientation and supervised whale watch trips to prepare interns for the season.
Other Tasks
Interns may be asked to complete other tasks as needed (i.e., when a whale watch trip is canceled due to rough seas), including office work, beach cleanups, and microplastics sampling and sorting. They will also work a shift at the Blue Ocean Discovery Center in Hampton Beach.
Testimonials
“My last internship did not have a research component, so being able to collect data in the field and then use data to put together a research project was immensely valuable and instructive. Additionally, it was wonderful to interact with a new field that I previously did not have much interest in and open my eyes to all the possibilities.”
– Hope Sandlin, 2022 Summer Intern
“I feel as though this internship afforded me an intangible experience. This is a summer I will never forget, and has created a direct passion for me and my future as a marine conservationist. I have always loved the ocean and knew I wanted to work with marine life, but had no idea that whales would become such a focus for me in my future career. I hope I get to work with these amazing creatures again and want to thank Blue Ocean for creating such a knowledgeable, yet fun experience.”
-Kayla Kennicker, 2022 Summer and Fall Intern
“My favorite part of the internship was getting to learn about a new ecosystem and experiencing the joy and appreciation through a passenger’s eyes. One day a woman in her late 80s was getting off the boat and kept thanking us and saying how it was the best day of her life. Best day out of 80-something years. I was so touched I almost cried.”
-Julia Wilcox, 2021 Summer Intern
“Every single part of it was amazing. I definitely loved the boat and being with the whales the most. I cried when I saw my first breach and continued to be amazed by every single one.”
-Brighid Weedon, 2021 Fall Intern
Where Are They Now?
Blue Ocean Society interns have gone on to a variety of careers, including as environmental educators (American Museum of Natural History, Blue Ocean Discovery Center, Maritime Aquarium, Racine Zoo, Seacoast Science Center, Sea Camp), researchers (Scripps Institute of Oceanography), aquarists (Aquarium of the Pacific, Seacoast Science Center), veterinary medicine and animal care (Mass General Hospital), observers (National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center), right whale researchers (New England Aquarium, NOAA, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Sea to Shore Alliance, Wildlife Trust, Florida Fish and Wildlife), and whale watch naturalists/crew (Rye, NH, Gloucester, MA, Newburyport, MA, Boston, MA, Bar Harbor, ME, Boothbay Harbor, ME, Lahaina, HI, Homer, AK).
Other internship programs have accepted our former interns, including Georgia Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, New England Aquarium, Texas A&M, Allied Whale, Center for Coastal Studies, Center for Wildlife, Alaska Sea Life Center, and Shoals Marine Lab.
Learn More
Questions about the Whale Research Internship? Contact Dianna Schulte at dianna@blueoceansociety.org
- Read former intern Nicole’s blog on a Day in the Life of Research Intern
- Hear about 2021 intern Ashley’s research project on right whales
- Read former intern Kaela’s blog on her intern experience
Interested in Applying?
Please email the following items (in PDF or DOC/DOCX format) to Office Assistant Angela Sames.
- Resume
- Cover Letter- please include:
- Which session are you applying for (Summer, Fall, or Both)?
- What sparked your interest in whale research?
- Why are you interested in pursuing this internship?
- How does this internship relate to your future career goals?
- What are the key skills you think you bring to this position?
- 2 Letters of Recommendation (emailed directly from your references to Angela Sames at angela@blueoceansociety.org)
Resume and Cover Letter are due January 15th
Recommendation Letters are due January 31st
Please Note: All applicants must be at least 18 years old, and we cannot accept international applicants.
