JOIN us for your student work placement for 2025

We also provide paid internships to students from local universities as part of their degree programme. Malaysian students from related 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 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 depending on the team that you are applying for:

Internship with Tengah Team @ TAJCC, Pulau Tengah

• 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

• Coral nursery & replanting

• Educational activities and talks with tourists and resort staff

• Educational talks and activities with school children

• Visits to local communities

• Social media and content creation

• Data collection, and report writing

Internship with Besar Team @ Rumah Eko, Pulau Besar

• Activating Rumah Eko as a sustainable tourism model and eco-learning center for integrated island waste management, sustainable tourism and marine life awareness.

• Activating the RIDAN Food Composting system that turns food waste into organic fertilizer.

• Organizing sustainable programs and workshops at Rumah Eko including proper waste management, sustainable practices and upcycling such as the precious plastic machine, glass crushing machine, making scented candle and industrial soap from used cooking oil.

• Maintaining agro forestry concept garden that can be shared with local communities

• Supporting in stakeholders engagement for integrated island waste management especially on recycling and upcycling project

• Contributing in rainwater harvesting and wastewater management system of Rumah Eko

• Educational activities and talks with tourists and resort staff

• Social media and content creation

• Optional: Pulau Besar DOF Sea Turtle Hatchery

  • 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

Internship with Mersing Team @ TIC Hub, Mersing Mainland

• Facilitate interactive workshops, discussions, and presentations with diverse communities

• Supporting in planning and organizing marine awareness roadshows and local events

• Coordinate roadshow logistics, including materials, equipment, and travel arrangements

• Develop engaging lesson plans and activities tailored for students of various age groups

• Deliver interactive and educational sessions about marine conservation in schools

• Document events with photos, videos, and reports for future use

• Social media and content creation

• Assist in other TIC marine conservation projects at Tengah Island and Besar Island, Mersing, Johor

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?

Depending on the project you applied for, you will be based at one of our project sites on Pulau Tengah, Pulau Besar, or the Mersing mainland, Johor, Malaysia. While some of our projects extend to other islands and locations in Mersing, your primary residence will be at your assigned project site.

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 either:

- Tengah Team Aiman@tengahislandconservation.org

-Besar Team Insyirah@tengahislandconservation.org / Aida@tengahislandconservation.org

-Mersing Team outreach@tengahislandconservation.org

and cc-ed it to workwithus@tengahislandconservation.org, with the subject line Intern2025, and tell us a little bit about yourself and why you’d like to intern with TIC.

INTERNSHIP APPLICATION FORM 2025

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Food (3 meals a day and drinking water)

• Shared accommodation with sufficient grocery needs

• Transfers between Mersing and designated bases on our scheduled passenger / chartered boat

• Uniform T-shirts x 3

• Eco-Diver Training & Certification (for Tengah Team)

• 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 (amount varies with bases)

• Basic dive gears for temporary use (for Tengah Team)

What’s not included:

• Travel to and from Malaysia/Mersing

• Snacks and personal items

• Travel insurance

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

• Passionate about nature and conservation

• Confident Open Water Diver (for Tengah Team)

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

• Very comfortable and confident swimmer (for Tengah Team)

• 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

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

• Demonstrate the right purpose and mindset for applying, aligning with the goals and values of the internship

• Able to demonstrate professionalism, a positive attitude, and the ability to balance work and enjoyment while respecting team dynamics and boundaries

HEAR FROM OUR PREVIOUS interns: