<p>Hey everyone,</p>
<p>I just transferred from Hawaii to UCSC. I was majoring in marine biology, but decided to switch. I am considering doing a combined environmental studies and biology major at UC Santa Cruz. Unfortunately, all the paid internships that I received interviews for do not start until late September. Now I have almost four months to kill. Normally, I wouldn't mind just relaxing and taking it easy, but I really feel like this time could be used more efficiently. I do have some work experience and some good references from my previous job at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. My options are:
1. Do nothing and enjoy my summer.
2. do an unpaid internship that is basically just volunteering.
2. Get a job at a restaurant waiting tables/cooking, or work in retail (BLEH!)
4. Find a conservation internship.</p>
<p>I'd like to do the fourth option, but I am not sure where to apply since I just moved back to California recently. Do you guys know of any organizations that do conservation work and might be able to offer a paid internship? I'd be happy to do anything that relates to my major.. I'm living in Los Angeles this summer and I haven't had any luck at these organizations:
National Park Services (Santa Monica Area)
Santa Monica Aquarium
Heal The Bay (found an internship, but it is only unpaid, unfortunately)</p>
<p>On a random note, I was offered a really nice apprenticeship with a master chef from France who used to be George Clooney's butler. He will teach me for free and will pay for my living expenses, so that is also an option, but it has nothing to do with my major haha... It might help me get a nice restaurant job in the future, and I do enjoy cooking :)</p>