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!
get practical hands-on experience & make a difference
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 INTERN?
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?
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.
WHAT DOES THE STAY INCLUDE?
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
ARE THERE ANY other REQUIRMENTS?
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:
“I met new people, developing new skills, and getting involved with diversity of projects here has eventually prepared me for my future career ”
Arina - Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
“There are many hands on projects to be involved in, but trust me, you guys will love it because you will get the sense of achieving something to the environment and community”
Najihah - Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)
“As a conservation intern, i had experienced a lot of vitamin s; sea, sun, sand, shore, scenery and sea turtle”
Chong - Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
“A treasurable memory that I shall remember, including all the people in it”
Izzat - Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
Pulau besar project internship
Internship Activities for Besar Bersih Project:
- Beach Clean-ups
- Microplastic surveys
- Maintenance of organic garden
- Sustainability-related workshops and activities
- Educational activities and talks with tourists and resort staff
- Visits to local communities
- Social media and content creation
- Data collection and report writing
Optional
- Nesting surveys for conservation of the endangered green turtles and critically endangered hawksbill turtle
- Hatchery maintenance and nest-hatching checks
- Hatchlings release and nest excavations
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.
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 work, with the team living in a shared house.
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 such as giving presentations and raising awareness of conservation and sustainable tourism issues, and optionally on handling sea turtle nest and hatchery management.
What is included:
● Food and Beverages (Cook at accommodation on site)
● Shared accommodation
● Transfers between Mersing and Pulau Besar
● Uniform T-shirts x 4
● 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 insurance
WHERE WILL I BE LIVING?
You’ll be staying at our project site on Pulau Besar, Johor, Malaysia. 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 Besar.
HOW DO I APPLY?
To apply you can send over your application form, cover letter, and CV to outreach@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.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
● Open-minded, outgoing, friendly, and a team player
● Passionate about nature and conservation
● Currently studying sustainability, social engagement, media, science or any related field
● Physically fit and able to walk long distances on sand and in the jungle
● Comfortable working at night and alone
● Able to swim
● 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
● Comfortable to live in a shared accommodation which is very close to nature