Below are links to programs that offer resources to high school students. In addition, there are a number of resources for students looking for internships, summer camps or workshops to participate in.
The METCON program provides high school juniors and seniors with career awareness, exploration, and various work experiences in the atmospheric and oceanic sciences for six to eight weeks in the summer. Students that participate in the program are provided a weekly stipend of approximately $250 per week.
A career in marine science can be exciting, rewarding, and fun. Marine science covers many topics, including marine biology, oceanography, and ocean engineering—each with specialty fields. Marine scientists work for a variety of organizations, including colleges and universities, non–profit organizations, industry, and government agencies. A marine scientist might work in the field, or an office, laboratory, or even on a ship. Salaries vary, depending on your educational level, the specific field of marine science, and the employing organization. People with careers in the marine sciences generally have advanced science degrees. Good communications skills (i.e., writing, public speaking) are highly recommended.
How did you get here?
After completing a M.Sc. in 2002, I worked for my college professors and volunteered at non–profits to gain experience. In addition to the basics needed for a career in ecology, I developed a proficiency in data analysis, geographic information systems and ecological modeling. In 2004, NCCOS was looking for someone with this skill set and I got lucky.
Charles Menza
Hollings Marine Lab Internships
The Partners at the Hollings Marine Laboratory in Charleston, SC offer various programs that bring undergraduates to Charleston to work in laboratories for approximately 10 weeks each summer. These summer research internships provide undergraduate students with an opportunity to gain hands–on laboratory experience and to interact with current graduate students.
This NOAA program is for undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students enrolled in biological and physical sciences programs. In addition, faculty can pursue research related to NOAA’s mission. The program provides weekly stipends to students ranging from $400 to $515 per week. Faculty stipends are commensurate with the salary at their respective academic institutions.
NCCOS hires students and early–career professionals through the ORISE program, which was established by the U.S. Department of Energy to undertake national and international programs in education, training, health, and the environment. ORISE administers fellowships, internships, and research projects at undergraduate to postdoctoral levels.
Through the Postsecondary Internship Program, interns participate in on–site work experiences with DOC bureaus and offices in order to integrate academic theory and workplace requirements, gain relevant skills and knowledge, explore Federal career options, develop professional networks, and gain a greater awareness of the role of Federal agencies. Internships opportunities are paid and can be during the summer or academic year.
How did you get here?
I am a full–time employee of NCCOS where I conduct coastal contamination assessment with the National Status and Trends Program. I came to NOAA as student fellow through NOAA’s Educational Partnership Program, which offers competitive student trainee positions with potential for transition to full–time employment throughout NOAA.
The goal of the Undergraduate Scholars Program is to increase the number of students who undertake course work and graduate with degrees in targeted academic fields integral to NOAA’s mission. This program targets students who have completed their sophomore or junior year, attending minority serving institutions (MSIs), and have recently declared, or about to declare a major in atmospheric, oceanic, or environmental disciplines that support these sciences.
Graduate Scholarship, Internship, Fellowship & Research Programs
A career in marine science can be exciting, rewarding, and fun. Marine science covers many topics, including marine biology, oceanography, and ocean engineering—each with specialty fields. Marine scientists work for a variety of organizations, including colleges and universities, non–profit organizations, industry, and government agencies. A marine scientist might work in the field, or an office, laboratory, or even on a ship. Salaries vary, depending on your educational level, the specific field of marine science, and the employing organization. People with careers in the marine sciences generally have advanced science degrees. Good communication skills (i.e., writing, public speaking) are highly recommended.
How did you get here?
When NOAA re–organized to form NCCOS I was working as a fisheries biologist and habitat restoration scientist for NMFS in Beaufort for 23 years. Our Branch was recognized nationally and internationally for its scientific expertise in habitat and restoration ecology. These two disciplines were essential for achieving the original vision of NCCOS, and developing and implementing the NCCOS strategic plan in support of the NOS mission.
The Knauss fellowship, established in 1979, provides a unique educational experience to students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The program matches highly qualified graduate students with "hosts" in the legislative and executive branch of government located in the Washington, D.C. area, for a one year paid fellowship. The program is named in honor of one of Sea Grant’s founders, former NOAA Administrator, John A. Knauss.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program recognizes outstanding scholarship and encourages independent graduate level research—particularly by female and minority students—in oceanography, marine biology and maritime archaeology.
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System’s Graduate Research Fellowship provides master’s degree students and Ph.D. candidates with an opportunity to conduct research of local and national significance that focuses on enhancing coastal zone management.
How did you get here?
I grew up watching Jacques Cousteau and always had an interest in all things marine. After becoming a SCUBA diver when I was 18, I knew I wanted to work for NOAA conducting marine research. While still an undergraduate I was lucky enough to be accepted as an intern with the NOS Strategic Assessments Branch in Rockville, Md. After graduation in 1990, I applied for a biological technician position at the NOAA lab in Beaufort, NC, and have been working there ever since. While employed with NOAA, I received my Master’s degree in Marine Science from the University of North Carolina in Wilmington and continue to run research projects that address invasive species and marine debris issues.
The Graduate Sciences Program (GSP) is aimed primarily at increasing opportunities for students in NOAA–related fields to pursue research and educational training in atmospheric, environmental, remote sensing and oceanic sciences at minority serving institutions (MSI) when possible. The GSP offers between two years (master’s candidates) to four years (doctoral students) of NOAA–related research and training opportunities.
Through the Postsecondary Internship Program, interns participate in on–site work experiences with DOC bureaus and offices in order to integrate academic theory and workplace requirements, gain relevant skills and knowledge, explore Federal career options, develop professional networks, and gain a greater awareness of the role of Federal agencies. Internships opportunities are paid and can be during the summer or academic year.
This NOAA program is for undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students enrolled in biological and physical sciences programs. In addition, faculty can pursue research related to NOAA’s mission. The program provides weekly stipends to students ranging from $400 to $515 per week. Faculty stipends are commensurate with the salary at their respective academic institutions.
NCCOS hires students and early–career professionals through the ORISE program, which was established by the U.S. Department of Energy to undertake national and international programs in education, training, health, and the environment. ORISE administers fellowships, internships, and research projects at undergraduate to postdoctoral levels.
The PMF program provides a variety of public policy career opportunities to graduate students. The Office of Personnel Management recruits and selects PMF finalists based upon review of written applications, and performance in individual and group interviews. After two years of structured career development, PMF positions are converted to permanent federal positions at NOAA.
How did you get here?
I started working on a project partnering the University of South Carolina and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service as a biological technician. A position opened with NMFS as a biological science technician. I was able to earn a Masters degree going to school part time. I am now a fishery biologist with NCCOS working on salt marsh ecology research.
James Daugomah
Sea Grant
In 1999, NOAA National Sea Grant Office and NOAA Fisheries established a Graduate Fellowship Program in two specialized areas: population dynamics and marine resource economics. Population dynamics is the study of fish populations as affected by fishing mortality, growth, recruitment and natural mortality. Ph.D. candidates interested in the population dynamics of living marine resources and the development and implementation of quantitative methods for assessing their status can receive up to three years of funding. Ph.D. students in marine resource economics, concentrating on the conservation and management of living marine resources, can receive two years of funding. For more information, please see the Sea Grant Fellowships page.
NOAA offers summer positions for Smith students through the College’s Environmental Science and Policy Program. The ten–week internships are at NOAA offices and field stations across the country.
Viewed collectively, ECSC activities aim to impact much of the southeastern and mid–Atlantic coastal regions of the United States including the Gulf coast, South Florida, and the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. These sites were selected because of the critical nature of their coastal ecosystems, their proximity to ECSC member institutions, and because they presented ideal opportunities to expand existing research, education, and outreach activities involving member institutions.
increase the number of underrepresented minorities in atmospheric, environmental, and oceanic sciences by training students and expanding the capacity of faculty from member institutions to participate in NOAA related research;
develop tools, including conceptual models, to assess the response of coastal ecosystems and communities to perturbation and develop measurement programs to monitor critical system attributes;
improve the scientific basis for coastal resource management; and
facilitate community education and outreach relating to the function and significance of coastal ecosystems.
There are 9 ECSC research concentrations to support these goals:
Ecosystem Management, Conceptual Modeling, and Decision Support;
Geospatial Analyses and Database Development;
Ecological Processes;
Bioindicators of Ecosystem Health;
Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment;
Ecological and Hydrological Modeling;
Socioeconomic Analyses and Environmental Evaluation;
Environmental Justice; and
Education and Outreach.
How did you get here?
NOS selected me to participate in the NOAA Educational Partnership Program Graduate Sciences Program, Class of 2007. I was placed at CCEHBR as a student trainee to conduct environmental sciences research related to dynamics and health of coastal ecosystems and will become a full–time employee with CCEHBR upon graduation from Florida A&M University.
Natasha Henry
For more information, please visit their thematic areas page.
The UAF-IAC runs the Tribal Management Program (TMP), which aims to provide the education and skills necessary for positions in Tribal institutions in rural Alaska. There is a direct relationship between the program standards and the expected skills and knowledge that the student will need on the job.
Program Objectives
To contribute to an educated Alaskan workforce by providing relevant coursework to residents of rural Alaskan villages;
To link learning with real life, making clear connections between teaching, research, and public service;
To assist rural campuses to deliver essential services to people who would not otherwise be able to continue their education;
To maximize the capacity and impact of local resources and institutions.
