May 25, 2010

Google Logo Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAm

Intern at the Dolphin Research Center

Want to get experience working with marine mammals? The Dolphin Research Center, in Grassy Key, Florida, is looking for interns for the Fall semester, and the deadline to apply is next week!

By Jason G. Goldman

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

Want to get experience working with marine mammals? The Dolphin Research Center, in Grassy Key, Florida, is looking for interns for the Fall semester, and the deadline to apply is next week!

The DRC is home to a pod of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (you might recognize A.J. from my banner image, used with permission of course) and a group of California sea lions. While the DRC hasn't yet been hit by oil from the BP oil spill, they are monitoring the situation closely - this may be a great opportunity to learn a ton about marine mammal research and help in the conservation effort.

Check out some of the dolphins:

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Here's the relevant information:

Internships at DRC are an exciting way to develop career skills as well as an opportunity to get "behind the scenes" to see how a marine mammal facility operates. Dolphin Research Center internships involve concentration in specific departments and normally last 16 to 18 weeks. Interns work forty hours per week typically spending four days per week in their internship's department and one day providing support in other areas of daily operations through the Volunteer Resources Pool.

It is necessary that you read, speak and understand English, are physically fit, able to lift 50 pounds and can work outside in the Florida Keys heat, sunshine and humidity. All interns are responsible for their own housing, food and local transportation. Bear in mind that this area is a tourist destination and the cost of accommodations varies depending on the season.

We currently offer internships in the following areas: Animal Care and Training, Special Needs, including the Dolphin Pathways Program, Education, Research, and Visual Communications. (Follow the links to learn more about each specific area)

In addition to the day-to-day responsibilities in their departments, all interns are required to keep a daily journal of activities and to develop and attain specific learning objectives relative to their areas of interest or study focus. Your coach and the Volunteer Resources staff will work with you and your faculty advisor if you are pursuing credit for your work here or need to fulfill community service.

Application Deadline: June 1 for the Fall Term (September through December)

To Apply: http://www.dolphins.org/help_volunteer_info.php#apply

For additional information:

drc-vr@dolphins.org or telephone 305/289-1121 x 230 Monday - Friday 9AM to 5 PM (Eastern Time).

Jason G. Goldman is a science journalist based in Los Angeles. He has written about animal behavior, wildlife biology, conservation, and ecology for Scientific American, Los Angeles magazine, the Washington Post, the Guardian, the BBC, Conservation magazine, and elsewhere. He contributes to Scientific American's "60-Second Science" podcast, and is co-editor of Science Blogging: The Essential Guide (Yale University Press). He enjoys sharing his wildlife knowledge on television and on the radio, and often speaks to the public about wildlife and science communication.

More by Jason G. Goldman

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe