Transcript MATE Center’s Technical Internship Program Background on the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center  The MATE Center was founded in 1997  Headquartered at Monterey.

MATE Center’s
Technical Internship
Program
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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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 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
My internship experience
 Internship overview
My internship experience
 Internship overview
My internship photos
My internship photos
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, over 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.
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…
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
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Applications are usually due in the late fall/early
winter for the six-month internship and in Marchf
or the summer 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/careers/internships.php
 Or ask for an internship flyer
 Or contact the Internship Coordinator at:
Tami Lunsford
302-731-3035
[email protected]