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Zhen Xian
Student
George Town, Penang, Malaysia
1
Question
Asked
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What are some recommended companies or organizations in the marine biology field that offer internships with good long-term career prospects?"
I’m looking for internship opportunities in the field of Marine Biology. I know I want to work with a company that offers good long-term prospects, but I’m not very familiar with the options available. Do you have any suggestions?
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4 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
2657
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Zhen Xian !
Marine Biology is a most fascinating and exciting career and being well informed can help you take the steps for this career. I would like to clarify some of what you've asked and give you some advice so you can make plans and move forward for this career.
To work with marine life, it's not so much companies or organizations that you will need to be familiar with, rather Zoos and Aquariums in your country of Malaysia. I assume that you mean that you want to caretake or train or manage marine life as opposed to doing veterinary care with them.
When you obtain employment with a zoo or aquarium, you can be hired full time permanent, but there's no way to really predict how or what can develop from that position. That's the way it is with all jobs - it's a process and you will need to be open to accept whatever positions are available if you want to go into marine biology. Focus on the work itself and not your preference of the structure of the position.
In Malaysia, for what we call internships, you would be looking for latihan industri. That is what internships are called in your country. You will have to make a list of all the zoos and aquariums in your country, call each one and ask if they offer latihan industri opportunities to interested students who do not have experience yet or for college students in their third and fourth year of college. Find out what the requirements are first and how the requirements apply to your specific circumstances.
To save you some internet searching, here are all the Aquariums and Zoos in your country that you will have to contact and explore: Aquaria KLCC, Blue Coral Aquarium KL Tower, KL Tower Mini Zoo, Farm In The City, Pusat Ikan Hiasan Port Dickson (an Aquarium), The Shore Oceanarium, Langkawi Wildlife Park (a zoo and an aquarium), Underwater World Langkaw, Crocodile Adventureland Langkawi, National Zoo of Malaysia (Zoo Negara), Vinpearl Safari in Vietnam, River Wonders in Singapore, and the Singapore Zoo. Write these down and go to their websites to see what opportunities they offer and what the requirements are.
If you are a college student already Majoring in Marine Biology, make stronger connections with your marine biology department professors and staff to ask about latihan industri opportunities. See how much experience you may need in order to do this. Also consider volunteer work and inquire about that at the list of places I provided. You might be able to obtain volunteer work quicker than a latihan industri if you currently have no or little experience with marine life.
If you are not yet a college student, consider attending university for a Bachelors Degree or a Masters Degree in Marine Biology. That will make it smooth for you to start a career in this field. It will qualify you to work with the wide range of marine animals as well as know about marine plant life which is also important. So, there are definite qualifiers for the type of work you want. If you want to work right now and have no experience, apply at the listed places for maintenance, reception or data entry work if that is available there. If those places give tours to visitors, see if you could be trained as a tour guide at the zoo or aquariums.
You also will want to be a moderately good swimmer, know how to snorkel as well as obtain SCUBA Training. Read a lot about this field of work online, through books and this career just may be more than what you think currently. Try not to overthink it before you have the information and try not to micro-plan how you want the job to be. Your employer will inform you of what is expected at any given job.
I hope this helps as basic information, but continue to explore before you set out looking for work. I wish you all the best and taking the right steps, being patient will help you towards your goal.
Marine Biology is a most fascinating and exciting career and being well informed can help you take the steps for this career. I would like to clarify some of what you've asked and give you some advice so you can make plans and move forward for this career.
To work with marine life, it's not so much companies or organizations that you will need to be familiar with, rather Zoos and Aquariums in your country of Malaysia. I assume that you mean that you want to caretake or train or manage marine life as opposed to doing veterinary care with them.
When you obtain employment with a zoo or aquarium, you can be hired full time permanent, but there's no way to really predict how or what can develop from that position. That's the way it is with all jobs - it's a process and you will need to be open to accept whatever positions are available if you want to go into marine biology. Focus on the work itself and not your preference of the structure of the position.
In Malaysia, for what we call internships, you would be looking for latihan industri. That is what internships are called in your country. You will have to make a list of all the zoos and aquariums in your country, call each one and ask if they offer latihan industri opportunities to interested students who do not have experience yet or for college students in their third and fourth year of college. Find out what the requirements are first and how the requirements apply to your specific circumstances.
To save you some internet searching, here are all the Aquariums and Zoos in your country that you will have to contact and explore: Aquaria KLCC, Blue Coral Aquarium KL Tower, KL Tower Mini Zoo, Farm In The City, Pusat Ikan Hiasan Port Dickson (an Aquarium), The Shore Oceanarium, Langkawi Wildlife Park (a zoo and an aquarium), Underwater World Langkaw, Crocodile Adventureland Langkawi, National Zoo of Malaysia (Zoo Negara), Vinpearl Safari in Vietnam, River Wonders in Singapore, and the Singapore Zoo. Write these down and go to their websites to see what opportunities they offer and what the requirements are.
If you are a college student already Majoring in Marine Biology, make stronger connections with your marine biology department professors and staff to ask about latihan industri opportunities. See how much experience you may need in order to do this. Also consider volunteer work and inquire about that at the list of places I provided. You might be able to obtain volunteer work quicker than a latihan industri if you currently have no or little experience with marine life.
If you are not yet a college student, consider attending university for a Bachelors Degree or a Masters Degree in Marine Biology. That will make it smooth for you to start a career in this field. It will qualify you to work with the wide range of marine animals as well as know about marine plant life which is also important. So, there are definite qualifiers for the type of work you want. If you want to work right now and have no experience, apply at the listed places for maintenance, reception or data entry work if that is available there. If those places give tours to visitors, see if you could be trained as a tour guide at the zoo or aquariums.
You also will want to be a moderately good swimmer, know how to snorkel as well as obtain SCUBA Training. Read a lot about this field of work online, through books and this career just may be more than what you think currently. Try not to overthink it before you have the information and try not to micro-plan how you want the job to be. Your employer will inform you of what is expected at any given job.
I hope this helps as basic information, but continue to explore before you set out looking for work. I wish you all the best and taking the right steps, being patient will help you towards your goal.
John Leonard
IT Project Management
3
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
John’s Answer
Hello!
My experience is that Marine Biology has more people seeking jobs than job openings, so you have to be a persistent seeker!
I would also look to take courses in Environmental Engineering, a field of civil engineering which has a large component of biology and marine biology.
Recommend that you look for internships with environmental engineering companies that are working in the marine environment.
Also, learn as much computer science and artificial intelligence as you can through study. AI is going to change everything in our world of learning, so it is a very important subject to get to know!
My experience is that Marine Biology has more people seeking jobs than job openings, so you have to be a persistent seeker!
I would also look to take courses in Environmental Engineering, a field of civil engineering which has a large component of biology and marine biology.
Recommend that you look for internships with environmental engineering companies that are working in the marine environment.
Also, learn as much computer science and artificial intelligence as you can through study. AI is going to change everything in our world of learning, so it is a very important subject to get to know!
Julius Kalibbala
CEO at Daystar Grace Foundation, Counselor,Mentor and career guide. Sales and Marketing at Akatale on cloud (U) Ltd
20
Answers
Kampala, Central Region, Uganda
Updated
Julius’s Answer
. A very good day friend,
I understand the pressure you face when seeking an internship in a well organized place, where you will see you passion coming to life, as in Malaysia as it is in all places, competition maybe high but success comes to those who are prepared, below is a list where you can begin..
1) Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) – Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS)
Location: Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
What they offer: Internships and research placements in marine science, oceanography, marine ecology.
2) SEATRU – Sea Turtle Research Unit (UMT)
Location: Redang Island
Focus: Sea turtle conservation and monitoring
Internships: Field-based internships for marine biology and conservation students.
3) MareCet (The MareCet Research Organization)
Location: Kuala Lumpur (HQ), fieldwork around Langkawi and Peninsular Malaysia
Focus: Marine mammal research (dolphins, whales), marine conservation, community outreach
Internships: Typically 3–6 months, hands-on research, education, and data analysis
4. Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI) – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (East Malaysia)
What they offer: Research and internship opportunities in coral reefs, aquaculture, marine ecosystems
5) Reef Check Malaysia
Location: Office in Kuala Lumpur, field stations in Tioman, Mersing, Mantanani
Focus: Coral reef conservation, monitoring, education and awareness
Internships: Reef conservation fieldwork, environmental education
6) Langkawi Coral
Location: Langkawi Island
Focus: Coral reef conservation and marine eco-tourism
Internships: Marine life monitoring, coral rehabilitation projects
7) WWF-Malaysia (World Wide Fund for Nature)
Location: Various offices (Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, Sarawak)
Internship areas: Marine conservation, fisheries, turtle protection, community engagement
8) TRACC – Tropical Research and Conservation Centre
Location: Pom Pom Island, Sabah
Focus: Coral reef restoration, marine biodiversity monitoring
Internships/volunteering: Field-based programs for marine students and enthusiasts
Tips to Apply:
- Start by emailing their research coordinator or internship desk.
- Attach a strong CV and cover letter, mention your academic background and motivation.
-Apply 3–6 months in advance especially for field-based internships.
With these list, l trust you can't go wrong, remember "You can do it, Go for it"
I understand the pressure you face when seeking an internship in a well organized place, where you will see you passion coming to life, as in Malaysia as it is in all places, competition maybe high but success comes to those who are prepared, below is a list where you can begin..
1) Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) – Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS)
Location: Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
What they offer: Internships and research placements in marine science, oceanography, marine ecology.
2) SEATRU – Sea Turtle Research Unit (UMT)
Location: Redang Island
Focus: Sea turtle conservation and monitoring
Internships: Field-based internships for marine biology and conservation students.
3) MareCet (The MareCet Research Organization)
Location: Kuala Lumpur (HQ), fieldwork around Langkawi and Peninsular Malaysia
Focus: Marine mammal research (dolphins, whales), marine conservation, community outreach
Internships: Typically 3–6 months, hands-on research, education, and data analysis
4. Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI) – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (East Malaysia)
What they offer: Research and internship opportunities in coral reefs, aquaculture, marine ecosystems
5) Reef Check Malaysia
Location: Office in Kuala Lumpur, field stations in Tioman, Mersing, Mantanani
Focus: Coral reef conservation, monitoring, education and awareness
Internships: Reef conservation fieldwork, environmental education
6) Langkawi Coral
Location: Langkawi Island
Focus: Coral reef conservation and marine eco-tourism
Internships: Marine life monitoring, coral rehabilitation projects
7) WWF-Malaysia (World Wide Fund for Nature)
Location: Various offices (Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, Sarawak)
Internship areas: Marine conservation, fisheries, turtle protection, community engagement
8) TRACC – Tropical Research and Conservation Centre
Location: Pom Pom Island, Sabah
Focus: Coral reef restoration, marine biodiversity monitoring
Internships/volunteering: Field-based programs for marine students and enthusiasts
Tips to Apply:
- Start by emailing their research coordinator or internship desk.
- Attach a strong CV and cover letter, mention your academic background and motivation.
-Apply 3–6 months in advance especially for field-based internships.
With these list, l trust you can't go wrong, remember "You can do it, Go for it"
david spindler
Digital
1
Answer
Tampa, Florida
Updated
david’s Answer
I suggest you reach out to the aquariums. They are always looking for volunteer and they have a line into the taking your passion to the next level. I am Scuba instructor and the helped at the Aquarium in Tampa for two years. It was a great experience.