Monterey Bay Internship

Hello my beautiful people! Today’s post is going to be a fun and ongoing project as this is going to be my Internship Diary. Not only that but I will be answering all of the questions I’ve been asked about my up-and-coming trip so that anyone can access it whenever they wish to. When I’m in California, I will be adding to this blog every day (like a diary) so you all can see what I’m up to and the animals I’m observing. This way you can join me on my journey in Monterey and learn new things about magnificent marine wildlife as and when I do.

INTERNSHIP DIARY

Coming Soon!

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

What Are You Doing For Your Internship?

I will be interning on a whale watching, research vessel in Monterey Bay, California, in April this year! My family and I will be travelling to Las Vegas and Monterey for a holiday during mid April but when they go back home to England I’ll stay out in Monterey till the end of May.

During my time aboard the boat, I’ll be taking part in many research activities and helping with scientific projects; collecting data on the animals we observe, photographing certain species of cetacean to ID them, educating the public, and adding information we gain about these animals to data bases to help other scientists conserve marine species.

Its killer whale (O.orca) season while I’m in California, therefore I’ll be working very closely with orca experts and marine biologists who are studying these animals. I will be gaining new information about these magnificent apex predators first hand and taking part in their conservation. This is going to be incredibly rewarding for me as I adore killer whales; hoping to work with them in the future as a behaviourist. Gaining such knowledge aboard the vessel and getting to witness the complex behaviours of wild whales will be such a privilege, as well as incredibly beneficial for my future.

As well as orcas, I will be studying many other species of cetacean and marine species. It is guaranteed that guests will see many species of marine wildlife while whale watching, such as Humpbacks (M.novaeangliae), Grey Whales (E.robustus), Blue Whales (B.musculus), many species of dolphin and sharks, Mola Mola, sea birds, Sea Otters (E.lutris), California Sea Lions (Z. Californianus), Harbour Seals (P.vitulina), jelly fish etc.

What Does The Internship Entail?

One of my daily responsibilities will be to collect photographic evidence of each large cetacean we observe in order to identify them; adding the information to a 30 year old data base to help track the animals throughout the years to come. We can also add details on every individual’s behaviour to create a vivid picture of the life of each whale, learning even more about them every day as we do. I’ll be taking photos of each whale’s fluke for species such as humpbacks and grey whales but will also take photos of orca dorsal fins and eye patches as this will help collect a positive ID of all the individuals we see.

I will also be working very closely with the biologists, naturalists and behaviourists on the boat to collect new data and research on the killer whales we see. This will include logging predations, dive times, locations of sightings, behaviour, and if we observe anything unique or unusual. As well as all this, they have asked me to participate in a new orca research project that they have just started (top secret at the moment) which will be such an honour! All the data I collect out at sea will need to be interpreted and added to existing research data bases so I will spend some days and my afternoons logging this information. From this somewhat tedious work, we can then look into new ways of conserving wild populations of killer whale and share this knowledge with other scientists who are studying them elsewhere around the globe.

Finally, I will be giving regular educational talks to the public, who come whale watching with us, about the species we observe and the history of the area. I cannot wait to share my passion for marine life with so many people on a daily basis; teaching them new things about our oceans and how to protect them.

Why Did You Choose To Do This Internship?

Everyone knows how much I adore killer whales! Seeing them in the wild for the first time was honestly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had; watching them circle our boat and exhibit so many incredible behaviours. I have always wanted to gain more experience working with orcas in the wild as this is not only a rare opportunity but an incredibly special one too. This internship provides me with a unique opportunity to gain a deeper insight into these animals’ lives and learn about what scientists are doing to conserve them in a different setting to what I’m use to.

Collecting scientific data and research is also a critical and valued skill in the industry I am going into yet many oversee it when looking for experience. Obviously, I need even more experience training animals (especially cetaceans) so I will be looking to do this next summer. However, I chose to go to Monterey this year because it’s a unique a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that is far from easy to do. By doing it this during my gap year I can utilise my time and spend longer in America than I would be able to while studying at university.

How Can You Afford It?

As soon as I left college, I applied for a full-time job to earn enough money to afford travelling aboard for internships and volunteering projects. I’m currently a housekeeper at Premier Inn, which isn’t the most glamorous job but it definitely helps me earn the money needed to do the things I want to do. I am also looking for a second, evening job to help me earn even more.

Where Are You Staying?

I will be staying in an AirB&B cottage in Monterey, that’s located about 30 minutes away from the harbour. This was a lot cheaper than the other options available and provides me with my own place on the coast. I’m right next to the beach and the national park, with Monterey Bay Aquarium just a 45 minute walk away too. I’m a member of the aquarium so I’ll be there during a lot of my free time.

I really struggled finding accommodation for the full length of my stay. Monterey is a relatively busy and expensive place so it was difficult to find somewhere that wasn’t full during April/May, as well as not being ridiculously overpriced for what I needed. Thankfully I found this little cottage that I can call my own for a while.

How Do I Get A Internship?

Most internships don’t require any qualifications or prior experience. You only need a high level of enthusiasm, a good work ethic and a passion for the project! The people you are with will train you when you start and help you settle into the roles you’re given during your time as an intern. You simply need to contact the company you wish to intern for and they’ll give you all the information you need about the project you’re interested in.

Some companies, like the one I’m with, are more likely to application if you have experience or grades in subjects related to the internship. For mine, I have relevant qualifications and experience with both animals and public speaking.

Making contacts with zoo keepers, aquarists, biologists and even college/uni lecturers is a brilliant way to find out about internships and work experience opportunities if you’re struggling to find or choose one. There are so many out there to choose from for a variety of causes and species, all being a Google search away. However, I find the ones that keepers and scientists recommend to be better as they know the truth of what the projects entail.

I hope this is helpful and answers everything you wanted to know about my internship. Feel free to comment below or message me with more questions you may have and I will add them to this page. Stay tuned for more!!