College Internship Program
Mote Internships allow college students and recent college graduates to gain valuable hands-on experience in Ocean Science research, conservation, education and support services. Internships are available in most departments including laboratory, aquarium, education and support programs. Close to 200 college students and recent college graduates participate in this program annually.
Eligibility
Applicant must be enrolled in an accredited university or college program at the undergraduate or graduate level OR be a recent college graduate to be eligible to apply for a Mote internship. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. International applicants must speak English fluently.
International Applicants
We do accept international interns who speak English fluently. We are unable to assist international applicants in the process of obtaining a visa but will be happy to supply accepted interns with a letter on Mote letterhead stating that they have been accepted to the program.
Housing
Mote is unable to provide or arrange for intern housing. However, once candidates have accepted an internship offer, Mote is able to offer a small list of housing options and can also put interns in communication with one another so that they may arrange for shared housing. We recommend that interns budget at least $500-600/month for housing in Sarasota and $1,200-2,000 in the Keys.
Local Transportation
Public transportation between Mote’s Sarasota campus and most local areas is available through the Sarasota County Area Transit bus system, a service of the Sarasota County Government. Riders can pay per ride or purchase a 30-day bus pass, currently $50 (but check their website for updates). Also, sarasota.craigslist.org is a great resource for finding bicycles for sale. Interns are responsible for providing or making arrangements for daily transportation to Mote. A car is highly recommended for internships at Mote’s Aquaculture Park and Mote’s International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration.
Application Procedure
Applicants must complete the online application form and upload a one-to-two page Letter of Interest, a resume or CV, and unofficial transcript. Applicants must also request a letter of recommendation which must be uploaded directly by their recommender. To be considered for a Mote stipend, applicants must submit an additional form found within the online application. More detailed instructions for preparing and submitting these materials are provided on the application page.
