MATE Center’s Technical Internship Program

1. MATE Center’s Technical Internship Program

2. Background on the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center • The MATE Center was founded in 1997 • Headquartered at Monterey Peninsula College in California, it is a national partnership of more than 800 colleges, universities, high school, marine industries and professional societies. • MATE is funded in part by the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education Program • MATE’s mission is to improve marine technical education and prepare the ocean workforce.

3. MATE Center Programs Textbooks Workforce Studies Underwater Robotics Competitions Teaching Training Career Awareness At-Sea Internships Industry Connections

4. What is the MATE Internship program? • The MATE Internship Program is funded by the National Science Foundation. • Each year MATE places 12-15 college students in internships on research vessels working alongside marine technicians. • The interns gain hands-on technical skills and experience life aboard a research vessel.

5. To learn skills you can’t learn in the classroom such as working with state of the art marine technology and working aboard a ship Gain exposure to new career possibilities To understand if you are on the right educational path to reach your goals Make connections to people in the field – who can serve as mentors to help guide your career To gain work experience Why do an internship?

6. My internship experience • Internship overview

7. My internship experience • Internship overview

8. My internship photos

9. My internship photos

10. MATE At-Sea Internships • The MATE Center places students with the following organizations: • University National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) • US Coast Guard • Institute for Exploration • Internships last for 2 weeks to 6 months (usually in summer) and can take place all over the world • $500/week stipend plus all travel costs are provided

11. Who are the Interns? Since 1999, over 300 students from 65 community colleges and universities across the country have been placed in research vessels, labs and industry settings Past intern demographics: 61% from community colleges; 39% from universities* 46% female; 54% male Approximately 29% underrepresented minorities *As of 2013

12. Where are the internships and what do the interns do? Internships are all over the world: Hawaii, Alaska, Antarctica, Samoa, Greece, Turkey, Florida, Rhode Island… And they involve maintaining and operating oceanographic equipment, such as CTDs and carousels, moorings, hydrographic survey equipment, shipboard communications, and ROVs.

13. MATE interns have said: • “This is definitely the greatest learning experience I have ever had!” • “It made me realize I like the sea life and could be a marine technician.” • “My internship was an exceptional experience…I learned a great deal about marine technology…definitely increased my interest in pursuing a career in marine technology…and the knowledge needed to pursue that career.” • For me…

14. How to apply? • To apply (http://www.marinetech.org/internships) • Complete an online application including the following attachments: • Cover letter • Resume • Transcripts (with proof of current enrollment) • Letter(s) of recommendation Applications are usually due in the late fall/early winter for the six-month internship and in Marchf or the summer internships.

15. What happens next? • Interns’ interests, knowledge, and skills are matched to the employer requirements. • MATE submits the most qualified student applications to the technicians on the ships. • The marine technicians on the ship make the final decision.

16. What increases your chances of being selected for an internship? • A well organized and complete application and resume – make sure to seek help from Nandita, the internship coordinator, if you need it. • A passion for working with technology – volunteer for technology projects, take technology classes, join technology clubs. • At sea experience – jump on a class cruise or a whale watching boat, you need to know if you get seasick. • Excellent references – cultivate good relationships with faculty and employers that you know.

17. What if you are selected? If a marine technician chooses you as their intern, the MATE Internship Coordinator will contact you and offer you the position. You will be given the exact dates and location of the internship and you decide whether or not to participate in that particular internship. You tell MATE what airport works best for you and we buy your airfare!

18. What if you choose to accept the internship? • Enroll for cooperative work experience or independent study credit at your school or Monterey Peninsula College • Interns and mentors develop a work plan andsign an agreement • Most internships are technical and involve one or more of the following: • Electronics • Water quality • Geographical Information Systems (GIS) • ROVs • Data analysis • Chemistry

19. Where are MATE alumni now? • Approximately half of past interns work in the marine science and technology field today • You can find more information on MATE Alumni on the MATE Internship website

20. Where are they now? BEFORE: students at Monterey Peninsula College and Alvin Community College, MATE interns NOW:ROV electronics repair and maintenance technicians at Oceaneering International

21. Where are they now? BEFORE:Honolulu community College student, MATE/UNOLS in 2006 NOW:Marine Technician at Scripps Institution of Oceanography

24. Questions??? • For more information, visit http://www.marinetech.org/careers/internships.php • Or ask for an internship flyer • Or contact the Internship Coordinator at: Nandita Sarkar nsarkar@mpc.edu