Internship Program
Be an ocean changemaker and join our team on Catalina Island!
Our internship program is designed for high school and college students who are passionate about the ocean and eager to contribute to real-world conservation efforts. Interns become part of our team, working on projects that support our mission to protect and restore kelp forest ecosystems on Catalina Island. From coastal cleanups and citizen science surveys to long-term research and monitoring in kelp forests, students gain hands-on experience in ocean science, conservation, and community impact.
During the spring and fall, our internships are primarily remote, offering students opportunities to contribute to research, outreach, and conservation projects from anywhere. In the summer, we host in-person internships on Catalina Island, where students spend two immersive weeks earning scuba certifications, conducting underwater surveys, and participating in cleanups in the kelp forests surrounding the island. This blend of remote and field-based opportunities allows interns to learn, grow, and make a tangible difference in ocean conservation and science.
2025 Internship Reports
-
Jonas Merchan
MASTER SCUBA DIVER INTERNSHIP
During this internship, Jonas Merchan had the opportunity the opportunity to train as a Rescue Diver and a Master Scuba Diver, to host a community clean up, and to assist with operations for day programs and expeditions.
-
Iris Besmer
RESEARCH INTERNSHIP
During this internship, Iris Besmer had the opportunity to train as an Advanced Open Water Diver, to conduct monitoring dives for our Behavioral Study on the Giant Black Sea Bass, and to host a community clean up.