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MATE Center’s
Technical Internship
Program
Today’s Presentation includes:
• What is the MATE Internship Program?
• Why apply for a marine technical internship?
• What are the MATE At-Sea Internships?
• How do you apply?
• Where are MATE Internship Alumni now?
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.
MATE Center Programs
Textbooks
Workforce Studies
Underwater Robotics
Competitions
Teaching Training
Career Awareness
At-Sea Internships
Industry Connections
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Who runs the MATE Internship Program?
The MATE Internship Coordinator,
Tami Lunsford, has been working
with the MATE Center since 2003.
She has also taught high school,
college, and teacher professional
development.
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.
Why choose a career in Marine Science and Technology?
• Ocean economy is 20% of the national economy AND 1
in every 6 jobs!
• Field is growing and there is a lack of qualified workers
• Acquire a fun, exciting, and well-paid job
- Marine technicians
- Marine engineers
- ROV pilots
- Ship engineers
- Hydrographic survey technicians
And many more!!!
View this video with interviews of marine techs and a
MATE intern to find out why they chose this field and
what their life is like at work!
Why do an internship?
 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
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
Who are the Interns?
 Since 1999, 265 students from 55 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 18% underrepresented minorities
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.
 To see a video tour of a ship and where interns eat, sleep,
and work, click here
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.”
How to apply?
 To apply (www.marinetech.org/internships)
 Complete an online application including
attachments for your:
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Cover letter
Resume
Transcript (with proof of current enrollment)
Letter(s) of recommendation
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE March 25, 2013, for the
summer 2013 internships!!
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.
What increases your chances of
being selected for an internship?
 A well organized and complete application and resume –
make sure to seek help from Tami, 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.
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!
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 and sign an
agreement
 Most internships are technical and involve one or
more of the following:
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Electronics
Water quality
Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
ROVs
Data analysis
Chemistry
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
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
Where are they now?
BEFORE: Honolulu community College student,
MATE/UNOLS in 2006
NOW: Marine
Technician at
Scripps Institution
of Oceanography
Questions???
 For more information, visit
http://www.marinetech.org/internships
 Or ask for an internship flyer
 Or contact the Internship Coordinator at:
Tami Lunsford
302-731-3035
[email protected]