Overview

Enter the global scuba diving industry with a professional diving qualification combined with work experience and marine conservation training AND get career training from Conservation Careers!

Get your PADI Divemaster qualification and boost your career when you join a scuba diving and marine conservation internship in the endless turquoise waters Fiji. Undergo an extensive training programme and gain in-depth knowledge into the marine ecosystem, then put this knowledge to work when you join a team to compile crucial research on tropical coral reefs and fish species. Sign up here today and get 12 months of Lion membership with Conservation Careers included.

Overview

This diving and marine conservation internship offers unique opportunities to dive in, explore and protect a stunning underwater environment. Diving in the crystal clear waters of the Lomaiviti Island Group consisting of 20 ancient islands, volcanic hillsides and pristine white-sand beaches, you’ll be collecting data that will help establish community managed Marine Protected Areas and assist the community with developing sustainable management plans.

The internship begins with our Marine conservation expedition. You will live for 12 weeks with a research team and undergo an extensive training programme, taking your diving skills through to advanced level and gaining an intimate knowledge of the marine ecosystem. This knowledge will be put to practise while you work as part of a team to compile crucial research on coral reef and fish species.

On successful completion of the expedition you will proceed to complete your PADI Dive Master course during your 12 week work placement with a local dive centre. This exciting opportunity will provide practical experience in the dive industry as you assist with daily operations.

After a successful internship, qualifying candidates may be given the opportunity to work for our selected partner organisations in Fiji, or in other countries around the world where they operate. Field work positions can be paid or unpaid, range in duration from one month to one year, and availability varies.

All internships are geared at developing your leadership and role model skills, allowing you to develop a variety of key soft and hard skills that will put you a step ahead the rest of the pack. They have been running community development, education, and conservation projects since 1997 and our highly experienced field staff will help you gain and improve vital skill sets to improve your future job prospects.

Scuba Diving Requirements

You will spend the majority of your time on this internship scuba diving and as such you need to be qualified to at least PADI Open Water, or equivalent before you start the internship.

Our Award-winning Partner

Conservation Careers has teamed up with an award-winning, mission-driven organisation with a team of passionate experts across the globe who will make your experience a truly unforgettable one.

Founded in 1998, they run programs in 21 locations, in 13 countries around the world, each aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as well as the objectives of local partners. They welcome participants from all around the world and help facilitate their development into global citizens. This is how they achieve their mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.

Their commitment to running high-quality sustainable development and experiential education programs has earned them recognition from numerous organizations such as Panthera, the Seychelles Parks & Gardens Authority, as well as Stanford, NYU, Duke, and Ohio State.

If you register your interest below, you’ll put you in touch with our partner to take the booking and to plan your trip!

To see all our Conservation Careers Internship opportunities, please click here.

Testimonial

“I have been very impressed by the internship … It has been refreshing to see a volunteer organisation that prioritises the needs of the community and the targeted nature of the volunteer contribution.” – Howard Foster.

Location – Fiji

 

Life on the Internship

During your expedition phase expect working days to long and starting early in the morning. Diving days will begin with preparing the dive boat, followed by a short journey to one of the dive sites. Depending on weather conditions, we aim for everyone to have 1 or 2 dives/snorkels each day, 5 days a week, during which you will conduct underwater surveys after completion of your training. You will also learn identification techniques and how to monitor the marine environment.

On other days, you should expect to be involved in additional projects and activities, including training sessions, beach cleans, marine debris surveys, environmental education sessions or alternative income training with the local community depending on local and project needs at the time. The days are rounded off with an evening debrief, followed by dinner and time to relax, take in the beautiful sunset and share stories.

Work Placements

On your work placement you will be placed in a dive centre where you will undertake your Dive Master course, practise leadership scenarios and help the centre with their day-to-day operations.

Accommodation

During your expedition phase, you will be living in simple dormitory style accommodation with restricted water supplies and cold water running showers.

Accommodation during the work placement is of a higher standard and is shared with other participants.

Project Details

We are very proud of the work that we are doing in conjunction with the Yasawa Trust Foundation, the Fijian Locally Managed Marine Area network and the Department of Fisheries, among others, with the aim to establish Marine Protected Areas in order to:

• Collect data on targeted fish species and invertebrates
• Map coral reef and mangrove habitats
• Monitor marine turtle sightings
• Develop an environmental education and awareness programme for local schools

All projects undertaken are dependent on the weather and priorities of our local partners, and as such you should expect to be flexible with the projects you will contribute to.

Additional Learning

Increasing Employability: Pre Departure Program Training:

Our programs are not only life-changing experiences but are also designed to help participants increase their employability. We have developed a curriculum to be completed prior to arrival in the country in order to ensure that more time is dedicated to program work once you commence your volunteer program. 

Eight weeks prior to your start date, you will complete the following online courses in preparation for your in-country program:

PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION (1 hour)

PROGRAM SPECIFIC TRAINING (1 – 5 hours)

OPTIONAL: MARINE CONSERVATION COURSE (10 – 15 hours)

In order to obtain a certificate for the Marine Conservation course which is endorsed by the University of Richmond and UNC Charlotte, you will need to complete quizzes & assignments and will be given 4 weeks post program to submit your work. 

If you are looking to travel in less than 8 weeks from now, you will still complete the course however this will be done in country and all content will need to be downloaded before arrival. 

Health & Hygiene:

The work we contribute to across the globe remains important and new measures allow our participants to continue to join our programs and continue impacting positively on their world and the communities we work with. Changes to our existing protocols have been made by our health and hygiene team to strengthen our health and hygiene protocols and ensure that international standard safeguards are in place to protect our participants, staff and host communities. Please inquire for more information on the protocols. 

How This Project Makes a Difference

The communities with which we work do not have access to the necessary resources to carry out regular data collection in their fishing grounds.

We are collecting specific data in order that the community can make more informed decisions with regards to the management of their vital resources.

After completion of your Dive Master training, you will help staff with the general running of the dive centre. Your work placement is a fantastic opportunity to put your new found skills into practise such as leadership techniques, equipment maintenance, advanced marine survey skills and your PADI Dive Master qualification (when certified).

Experiences

During your program, you’ll also have the opportunity to experience tailor-made adventure and wellness activities. These have been specially designed to further immerse you in the diversity and richness of the habitats and cultures around you.

Exclusive local experiences:

• Learn to cook iTaukei food
• Make a traditional drink from kava root
• Learn indigenous plant medicine
• Hike to the top of Tova Peak
• Fish with iTaukei women
• Weave a traditional mat
• Visit Vatu-i-Ra Conservation Park
• Boat to Leleuvia Island

BONUS! Conservation Career Kick-Starter online training programme (worth £295)

Do you want to spend your career helping wildlife to flourish, but are feeling a little lost, confused or disillusioned?

Start your career in wildlife conservation with a unique programme of training, support community & jobs from Conservation Careers!

The Conservation Career Kick-Starter is a proven step-by-step system to get clear, get ready, and get hired as a professional conservationist.

Whether you’re at university and planning your next steps, a graduate in the job hunt or working in an unrelated job but interested to switch into conservation, this course is designed to help you.

After going through the course, you’ll have created a personal career plan which will give you confidence in your job hunt and will make everything quicker, simpler and more fun!

All you need to do is register your interest in the project below, and if you choose to make a booking we’ll save a place for you on the Kick-Starter when you get back from your placement.

Included with the Kick-Starter is a year’s full-access to the world’s biggest conservation job board with over 15,000 jobs, plus access to our private online support community, CC Pro.

Cost