Finding Job or Internship Opportunities

There are many reasons why people in this field choose to work with whales. No matter who you ask, one thing comes up time and again: our sense of wonder and our desire to protect these incredible creatures.

Do you feel you have the skills and interest to work with whales, but don’t know where to start when it comes to finding a job or internship opportunity in the field? You’ve come to the right place!

How do you find the perfect deal?

It’s a good start to know that you want to work with marine mammals, but you still need to find an organization that can take you on. Sometimes, related experiences—such as volunteering, professional training, or participating in a mentorship program—can be just as helpful when launching a career. Keep an eye out for all opportunities, even those outside of traditional employment!

To find an opportunity that matches your needs and interests, you’ll need motivation, dedication, patience, and some research! We’re here to give you a little help with that last part. Make a list of the criteria that matter to you: work schedule, location, remote work options, required training, and so on. That way, you’ll be able to compare opportunities more easily!

Here are a few resources and organizations to explore:

ECO Canada
Environment and Climate Change Canada
EnviroEmplois (in French)
Explos-Nature (in French)
Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM )
Merinov
Mériscope (in French)
Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
Parks Canada
Marine Mammal Observation Network (MMON)
Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS)
Whale Seeker

Further sources:

General public websites like Indeed or LinkedIn
Newsletters such as MARMAM
It’s always a good idea to follow your favourite organizations on their social media—or on more general job/internship pages (in French).

Preparing a resume (curriculum vitae) and a cover letter

Have you found a job posting or postings that interest you? No matter the field, first impressions are crucial to landing a job. In the hiring process, first impressions are typically made through your resume and cover letter.

It’s very important to clearly describe your strengths, skills, and past experiences. Always ask yourself: Is this relevant to the job I’ll be doing? If so, include the information! There are many online resources with relevant examples and tips to help you. An example related to whales can be seen below. If you’re applying in a country other than Canada, find out how to format your resume to give yourself the best chance of success!

To help you identify the key skills to highlight, we spoke with Patrice Corbeil, Director of Education at GREMM. Here are the strengths and skills he recommends for various jobs in this field:

Have strong observational skills and an eye for detail
Be outgoing and have strong communication skills
Enjoy interacting with people and be willing to share your knowledge and expertise. “We’re a bit like artists and storytellers, after all! ”
Introverts will also find their place here: “Some of the team members who make the biggest impact don’t talk much, but when the time comes, we listen to them closely!”
Have a good head for the sea, obviously! Days at sea are much harder otherwise… And be in fairly good physical shape, especially if you want to do research. “It’s hard on the knees to be on a boat for 10 hours!”

Knowing how to use binoculars or a drone can be very useful.
Be versatile and available. We rely heavily on external factors like the weather or the presence of whales or carcasses for our outings or interventions. Sometimes you have to get up at dawn and come home at dusk!
Be a quick learner! The world of whales is evolving rapidly, with constant new discoveries and technologies.
Be open to criticism; we’re always improving!
Be thorough and have a scientific curiosity
Finally, keeping a childlike spirit is very important to continue finding joy in what we do!

Is the cover letter relevant?

This is a great opportunity to show why you’re interested in the organization you want to work for. It may take a little longer to put together than your resume, since it’s tailored specifically to the application you’re submitting, but it can make all the difference between two candidates with similar qualifications!

Make sure you prepare for the position you’re applying for! The person evaluating you wants to see if you have the necessary skills to perform whale-related tasks. Why do you want this job, and what do you hope to gain from this experience? The cover letter gives you the opportunity to discuss your experiences and skills in more detail as they relate to the position. A tip? Review the job or internship posting, analyze what the employer is looking for, and explain how you meet those requirements.

In both your cover letter and your resume, it’s essential to pay close attention to grammar, spelling, and formatting. You want the person reading your application to focus on the content, not the presentation!

The time has finally come: the interview!

Congratulations, you’ve made it to the interview stage! The company is interested in your profile and wants to learn more about you.

The best advice: prepare yourself! This will help you stay focused, keep the conversation flowing, and, most importantly, reduce the stress associated with this challenging stage. You’ll find plenty of online resources to help you.

Even though it’s impossible to know in advance what questions you’ll be asked, some come up consistently: for example, right at the start, you’ll be asked to introduce yourself and if you’re familiar with the company you’re applying to. At this point, you’re already being evaluated: can you introduce yourself in 2 or 3 minutes or less? What information do you want to convey to the employer? By practicing out loud at home, you’ll gain confidence.

The question “Why should we choose you for this position?” invites you to talk about your strengths, and the question “What are your weaknesses?” invites you to acknowledge your weaknesses. Be honest, without revealing too much, and explain how you’re aware of them and what steps you’re taking to improve. Don’t be afraid—remember that we’re all human, and everyone has flaws!

Depending on the position you’re applying for, you can also expect situational questions. Since they’re random and unpredictable, this is when stress can really set in. Take a deep breath, take notes, and don’t hesitate to say that you need a moment to think it over.

Finally, be yourself during the interview. Joining the whale-related workforce also means becoming part of a large team of people who share values similar to yours. Don’t be afraid to come across as natural and authentic. You might find that you’re talking to someone who’s more like you than you realize. Share work and life experiences that can highlight your strengths. Sometimes we don’t think about it, but all kinds of experiences can be useful when working with marine mammals.

Although the interview process can be quite nerve-wracking, it’s an excellent opportunity to show what you’re capable of and spread your wings toward new horizons!

The adventure begins !

Did the interview go well, and did you land that coveted internship or job? Congratulations! A great adventure is beginning for you. Working to better understand whales and raise awareness about them is a deeply rewarding and inspiring goal. But this is just the beginning! Many people who are now considered highly skilled in the field started out exactly where you are now.

You’ll see that with passion and determination, you can one day become an indispensable resource in whale conservation. It’s only a matter of time before you’re coordinating a research project, developing new technologies to protect marine mammals, or even leading an organization. Good luck in your new career!