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2009 Interns

Introduction

Roles and Responsibilities

Logistics

2009 Interns

Housing

Introduction

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute formally started the Internship Program in 1997. The purpose of the Program is to provide an opportunity for talented students and teachers to come to MBARI for a period of 10 weeks (June 15 – August 21) and to work on a research project under MBARI staff supervision.

The interns are selected following a rigorous application procedure, merit review and, in some cases, an interview process. They are from around the world and represent a variety of different backgrounds, experience, and education. They all share a common desire to learn more about the marine environment and to work with MBARI staff.

The majority of costs come out of the Information and Technology Dissemination (ITD) budget. This includes a stipend for all interns and a small traveling allowance for out of state interns. The Internship Coordinator and the mentors are involved in the selection process.

The primary purpose of the internship program is to provide for the specific educational benefit of the intern and to make a contribution to the general good of the oceanographic community. If publications result from this collaboration, the authorship should be a joint authorship (including both the intern and the mentor).

Roles and Responsibilities

Interns

To be selected as a MBARI Summer Intern, an individual must demonstrate competence in a technical field, good communication skills, and a genuine interest in marine science, engineering, or information systems. The selection process is rigorous and includes a review of personal goals, recommendations, and academic accomplishments.

Summer interns are responsible for developing a research project (in conjunction with the mentor) which can be completed in the 10-week period of the internship, and for carrying the project to completion. At the end of the internship period (August 20, 2009), interns will deliver a seminar on their project. A final report (hard copy and electronic) on the project is also due at the end of the internship. Interns are also responsible for articulating their needs to their mentor in a constructive manner, and for taking the initiative to obtain the information that they require to complete their project. Interns are expected to attend weekly meetings (for updates and notices) on Monday mornings, attend MBARI seminars, assist with a variety of presentations during the 10 week period, serve as peer mentors to fellow interns, and to participate in a job-shadowing program with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Internship Program (these various activities will take from 6-10 hours/week). Interns are expected to behave in a professional manner during their tenure at MBARI.

Internship Coordinator

The Internship Coordinator is responsible for the overall supervision of the entire Internship Program. The coordinator is responsible for matching interns with mentors and for assisting the interns with general logistics (e.g. housing). The coordinator is available to interns and to mentors as a facilitator as needed on any and all activities and problems.

MBARI Mentor

The individual MBARI staff mentor should contact their intern by May to discuss the project. When the interns arrive (June 15, 2009), the mentor should plan on attending the lunch on the first day in order to meet and start working with the intern. The mentor is responsible for making adequate preparation for the intern’s arrival, designating a workplace for the intern, providing basic supplies and equipment, and serving as a guide and mentor to the intern during the entire program. Additional mentors may be included if the mentor feels it is appropriate. The role of a mentor is to help the intern make the most of their experience at MBARI. The mentor should be someone who enjoys the prospect of getting to know a bright and eager potential colleague and “showing them the ropes”. The mentor should ensure that a dedicated workspace is provided for the intern, as well as access to a computer. The interns should be considered part of your research group and should be included in your lab meetings and discussions. 

Logistics

New employees are usually welcomed to the institution after a variety of preparations have been made. This is even more critical for summer interns as their stay is for only 10 weeks (June 15 - August 21).

Safety

All interns will undergo the safety-training seminar upon their arrival at MBARI.

Human Resources

Introduction and administrative paperwork will be completed upon their arrival.

Mail

A mailbox has been setup for the interns on the first floor in the south hallway next to the glass cases that enclose current news. Personal mail can be delivered to:

your name/MBARI Intern

P.O. Box 739

Moss Landing, CA  95039

Voice mail

A common phone with voicemail has been setup for the interns in Office 134 with an extension of 1806.

Electronic mail

Accounts will be setup for the interns either prior to or upon their arrival. The email address will use the standard convention of the first letter of the first name and the last name (unless that address is already allocated).

Space

The mentor should ensure that there is a space for the intern in either or both the office and the laboratory.

Equipment

The mentor and intern should meet on June 15th, 2009 and discuss the project in detail to make sure that all necessary equipment and resources are available and that the intern is qualified to use that equipment.

Schedule

The interns will have a meeting every Monday at 9-12 (This day and time may change after our first meeting on June 15th). The interns will also be expected to attend the Wednesday afternoon seminar and the Monday project update. The interns should also be encouraged to participate in cookie breaks, BBQ’s, etc. There will be occasional times when the interns will be asked to discuss their project in a short presentation to external groups. Additional times when the intern is expected to participate in an activity other than their research project will be distributed as they are scheduled (e.g. field trips, job shadowing).

2009 Interns

2008 Housing

We've setup housing at California State University Monterey Bay in their Faculty/Graduate Student Apartments (Thomas Court) from June 13th, 2009 until August 23, 2009. These units are fully furnished - but you should bring linens. Unfortunately, they have placed KING beds into the bedrooms - but I have full size inflatable beds that you can use. The rent for each unit will be ~$3400 for 10 weeks and there will be an additional small charge for the extra beds that you'll need in each unit. (4 folks sharing will pay ~ $900 each for the summer). MBARI will cover the payment and you will be responsible for paying rent to MBARI following your first paycheck. At this time, I have heard from the following that you will be using this housing: 

YES:  

Devin Bonnie; Joel Craig; Ali Mekonnen; Marco Moreira (4 males)

Katherine Elliot; Monika Frazier; Michelle Schorn; Taryn Takahashi; Durga Brundavanam; Kayelyn Simmons; Julie Vassar; Harriet Alexander (8 females/ 4 per unit)

Other plans for housing please let me know where you will be staying (address and phone number):

Roman Marin, Alena Dooner, Bryant Mairs, Karen Parker, Megan Kelso; Laurie Vollset

You can find some basic housing information at http://housing.csumb.org/site/x18259.xml and here is a campus map. Your  address is (use MBARI for business mail and the PO Box above for personal mail):

CSUMB's on-campus student apartments are in residential communities easily accessible to the central campus by car, free CSUMB shuttle, or bicycle. These spacious, two-bedroom, one-bath apartments are available to upper-division students, families, and qualifying couples. Standard apartment arrangements are of three to four students per apartment. There are a variety of options to meet your particular needs. The MBARI units are furnished apartments with beds, desks, a couch, chairs, an end table in the living room, and a dining room table.

Families with children will find playgrounds and athletic fields throughout the community. Hiking routes, jogging trails and bike paths wind through the neighborhoods and into surrounding open areas. Public school bus service come right to each neighborhood.

• First- and second-story units
• Approximately 1,200 square feet of usable space
• Basic kitchen appliances (refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and garbage disposal)
• Furnished with basic applicances, furniture.
• Shuttle bus service to and from the main campus and surrounding areas
• Basic cable television access included in rent
• Dial-in access to the Internet and the CSUMB campus network
• Utilities (gas, electricity, garbage, and water) included in rent (not telephone)
• One-car garage Either a fenced backyard or a walk-out patio
• Utility room with laundry hookups