Preparing the Next Generation of Marine Technicians: MATE's At-Sea Internship Program

Training programs that prepare students for careers in marine technology are few, mainly because it is prohibitively expensive for most programs to offer substantial time at sea working with state-of-the-art research equipment. Students who choose to pursue marine technical careers are often caught in the paradox of not being able to acquire a job without work experience and not being able to get work experience without a job. At-sea technical internships help undergraduate students gain the experience they need for gainful employment in the marine field, and ocean-related employers gain access to qualified technical professionals who can fill their workforce needs. The Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center's marine technical internship program began in 1999. Since its inception, the program has placed more than 300 students in at-sea and shore-based internship positions. MATE interns work with marine technicians and scientists onboard research vessels, and these experiences provide them with the opportunity to develop their technical, scientific, seamanship, and interpersonal skills. The program makes a substantial effort to recruit students in groups who are traditionally underrepresented in science and technical disciplines.