Diving into internship opportunities: Looking at programs offered by the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies

Gulfport, Miss. (WXXV)- The Institute for Marine Mammals Studies is seeking interns for the Spring 2026 session, those are in the research and animal care departments.

IMMS accepts internships throughout the year, applicants can choose from five different internships.

Currently, IMMS is looking to fill some very hands-on roles.

“We actually go out throughout the entire year. We have our internship open for the spring and we will eventually have other opportunities for the summer and fall as well,” says Dr. Forrest Collins, the marine ecologist at IMMS.

Dr. Collins tells says IMMS is working on multiple research projects aside from identification.

“We’re looking at dolphins having their own home at certain spots within the sound. We’re also looking to see actually how many dolphins are out there. We’re also looking to see how dolphins actually go after certain types of fish species and how they might be foraging on different fish species.

The animal care internship focuses on the care and training of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins, California Sea Lions and large parrots.

The internship has an emphasis on tasks such as food preparation, cleaning and facility maintenance.

“With our animal care, it’s actually going to be taking care of the animals you see around the park,” says Dr. Collins. “So for example where we have our stingrays and fish species, part of the animal care is taking care of them. Going in, making sure they are well taken care of, making sure their water quality is doing good. At the same time, also preparing any type of food item needed for the day.”

Ellie Johnson is the supervisor of animal care at IMMS. She says the animal training internship helps give a base knowledge on what it takes to be an animal trainer.

“We’re teaching them the protocols that go into taking care of animals, all the cleaning and stuff. They come out and watch sessions, get hands-on opportunities with the animals,” says Johnson. “They get a very well-rounded experience.”

Other internships are being offered in the stranding department as well as an education summer internship.

“So with our stranding internship, there is a wide variety of things they could be doing. That can range from working with the veterinarian staff,” says Dr. Collins. “We do have resident turtles we are currently treating so that way they can get better. That will be a lot of the food maintenance and medicine prep going into that aspect.”

Dr. Collins says interns will also help with turtle releases throughout the year.

One externship is offered through Mississippi State University’s Marine Animal Veterinary program.

Seasonal variations in training and scheduling may occur with an emphasis on different species throughout the year.

When it comes to applications, Dr. Collins encourages anyone with an interest in marine science to apply.

“We are open to any type of applications, for example we do have some people who decided to have a change in career paths. The only thing is, we do ask the letters of recommendation say you have a science type of passion or background.”

You can head to the Institute for Marine Mammal’s website to see the requirements for each role and what forms need to be turned in.

Applicants must be 18 years or older. Dr. Collins shares that high school seniors can apply for internships as well.