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Cape Ann Whale Watch
415 Main St. Gloucester, MA.
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INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The Ocean Alliance, which incorporates the Whale Conservation Institute (www.oceanalliance.org) and the Voyage of the Odyssey (www.pbs.org/Odyssey), is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of whales and their ocean environment through research and education. Dr. Roger Payne founded the organization in 1971 and since then we have studied whales in all the world’s oceans, produced over 40 documentaries, and completed a worldwide research expedition (The Voyage of the Odyssey, www.pbs.org/odyssey) establishing the first ever baseline level of chemical toxins in the ocean. One way to become involved with The Ocean Alliance is through the Field Research and Environmental Education Internship.
This internship is based in Gloucester, MA where The Ocean Alliance has an affiliation with Cape Ann Whale Watch (www.SeeTheWhales.com). The whale watch boat takes between 150 and 250 passengers a day on whale watches around Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The passengers on board the Hurricane II are an extremely diverse group of people ranging from elementary school children to families from across the globe. There are three interns and one naturalist present on every trip. This team of educators works two trips a day in the spring/summer season and one trip a day in the fall season.
 

ABOUT WHALE WATCHING: The primary goal of each trip is to educate the public about whales, which will ultimately lead to a stronger appreciation and respect for whales and the ocean environment. With this newfound respect and appreciation, the team of educators also hopes to change how the passengers treat the environment on a day to day basis. The whales and the environment have a better chance of surviving if we can change the attitudes and behaviors of our passengers.
 

INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES: In order to accomplish this goal, the interns circulate the boat with hands-on teaching tools to educate the public about whales and their environment. There are samples of baleen for passengers to touch, a model of Stellwagen Bank for people to understand why the whales migrate to the coast of Massachusetts, a whale tail identification board for passengers to see how scientists identify humpback whales in the wild as well as many other teaching tools. Once the actual whale watching begins, the naturalist provides educational commentary while the interns collect data on whale behavior and identification. The interns are also on board to answer questions on a wide variety of topics, everything from whale behavior to whale conservation. Finally the interns are expected to help with the general functioning of the whale watching vessel.
 

Interns not only have responsibilities aboard the Hurricane II, but they are also expected to participate in activities off the boat. The naturalists, interns, and volunteers meet once a week. This is a time for interns to learn more about whales from the knowledgeable naturalists and to discuss the overall whale watching program. Also, once a week, interns are expected to enter data from the whale watching trips in the Gloucester office as well as work on an intern project in the Lincoln office.

OBJECTIVES: Does this seem like a lot of responsibility? This internship can be intense (as working with the public always is) and it can involve long hours. There will be some days when you feel completely drained, but when you really touch someone it makes it all worthwhile! At the end of the three or four-month internship, you will be extremely knowledgeable about whales, the ocean, and issues that threaten their survival. Interns have found that working with the public and answering questions teaches you more about the ocean realm than you could possibly imagine.

QUALIFICATIONS: This internship is geared for college students and recent college graduates with a degree in environmental education, marine biology/biology, psychology or environmental science. However, anyone who is interested in helping The Ocean Alliance or in learning about whales is encouraged to apply. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about whales and the ocean environment. If you are thinking of applying for this position, we hope you are comfortable with public speaking, teaching in small groups, and working with school age children. Interviews will be conducted during the month of March and applicants will be notified by the beginning of April. The whale watching season begins in May and runs through October. During this time, we hope an interns can commit to at least 10 weeks. We can be flexible about starting dates because of school conflicts. This is an unpaid internship and interns are responsible for providing their own housing, although we have suggestions. If you are interested please send a resume, cover letter (including why you are interested in this internship), two written letters of recommendation, and an unofficial transcript to:

Please feel free to email cyndeb@oceanalliance.org or call 781-259-0423 x10 with any questions.

Commonly Asked Questions Regarding
the Field Research and Environmental Education Internship
Click here

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Copyright © 1999 [Cape Ann Whale Watch]. All rights reserved.
Revised: February 18, 2008 03:47:21 PM