JOIN us for your student work placement

We also provide paid internships to students from local universities as part of their degree programme. Malaysian students from Biology or Environmental Science studies are highly encouraged to apply.

Students will work with the TIC Team of staff and interns on all of our projects, gaining valuable practical conservation skills in the field. They will also assist our Outreach Coordinator with community awareness and education activities!

WHAT projects will you be helping with?

During your internship you may expect to participate on the following projects:

• Nesting surveys for conservation of the endangered green turtle and critically endangered hawksbill turtle

• Hatchery maintenance and nest hatching checks

• Hatchling releases and nest excavations

• Reef monitoring: underwater surveys on coral reefs; substrate surveys, invertebrate surveys, and fish surveys

• Beach and underwater clean-ups

• Micro-plastic surveys

• Coral nursery & replanting

• Educational activities and talks with tourists and resort staff

• Educational talks and activities with schoolchildren

• Visits to local communities

• Social media and content creation

• Data collection, and report writing

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

who can be an intern?

Our internship programme is open to Malaysian students who are carrying out a work placement as part of their university studies.

For other opportunities to help out and get involved please check out our Volunteering page.

age requirements - 18+

We are only able to offer positions to students who are 18 years of age or above. The project involves remote and physically demanding work, as well as solo and night working, with the team living in a shared house.

Where will I be Living?

You’ll be staying at our project site on Pulau Tengah, Johor, Malaysia which operates in collaboration with Batu Batu Resort. We also have projects based in Mersing and on other islands which you may get to visit but you will primarily be living on Pulau Tengah.

How long is the internship?

The internship programme lasts for a minimum of 3 months, with the possibility of extension. You’ll be living and working with our team and receiving training on various conservation skills from sea turtle monitoring, hatchery management, and reef surveys to giving presentations and raising awareness of conservation issues.

when can i do my internship?

Our internship programme is open from March to October/November each year.

how do i apply?

To apply you can send over your application form, cover letter, and CV to Izzat@tengahislandconservation.org / Aiman@tengahislandconservation.org and cc-ed it to workwithus@tengahislandconservation.org, with the subject line Intern2024, and tell us a little bit about yourself and why you’d like to intern with TIC.

INTERNSHIP APPLICATION FORM 2024

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Food (3 meals a day and drinking water)

• Shared accommodation

• Transfers between Mersing and Pulau Tengah on our scheduled passenger boat

• Uniform T-shirts x 4

• Eco-Diver Training & Certification

• Accommodation on the mainland for one night before your arrival and during any supply trips during your stay

• All project-related costs and equipment

• Monthly stipend

What’s not included:

• Travel to and from Malaysia/Mersing

• Snacks and personal items

• Travel/diving insurance

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Open-minded, outgoing, friendly, and a team player

• Passionate about nature and conservation

• Confident Open Water Diver

• Currently studying conservation, biology, environment or a related field

• Very comfortable and confident swimmer

• Physically fit and able to walk long distances on sand and in the jungle

• Comfortable working at night and alone

• Willing to get your hands dirty with fieldwork, beach cleanups, trash sorting, and general chores

• Able to communicate in English & Bahasa Melayu (written & spoken)

• Willing to obtain travel medical insurance which covers diving

• Comfortable to live in a shared accommodation which is very close to nature

HEAR FROM OUR PREVIOUS interns: