MATE Center’s Technical Internship
Program
Background on the Marine Advanced Technology Education
(MATE) CenterThe 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.
At-Sea Internships
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Career Awareness
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Underwater RoboticsCompetitions
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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.
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?
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 250 students from 52 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 48% female; 52% male Approximately 30% 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: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 formSubmit:
Cover letter Resume Transcripts (with proof of current enrollment)Letter of recommendation
APPLICATIONS DUE March 5, 2012, for the summer 2012 internships!!
VideosPhotos
Internship Profiles
HOW TO APPLY!
Its easy!
Ask for help if you need it.
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:
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
NOW: Marine Technician at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Where are they now?BEFORE: Honolulu community College student, MATE/UNOLS in 2006
Questions???For more information, visit
http://www.marinetech.org/internshipsOr ask for an internship flyerOr contact the Internship Coordinator, Tami Lunsford, at: