We encourage work-study and non-work-study students to apply. This internship is only open to undergraduate students with a declared or proposed major or minor in the Humanities Division and requires work authorization.
Application Deadline: Sunday, October 19, 2025
The Humanities Experiential Career Exploration and Learning (EXCEL) Program connects undergraduate Humanities majors and minors with community partners for paid internships. Fellows gain valuable professional experience while exploring potential career paths.
Internship Details
Partner Organization: Save Our Shores
Location: Hybrid (remote and in-office) 345 Lake Avenue, Santa Cruz
- UCSC Humanities funds a ZipCar account so students can book vehicles to travel to work or required events in Santa Cruz County if needed.
Duration: January 2026-June 2026
Hours: ~15 hours/week
- The schedule will vary depending on programmatic needs and the candidate’s schedule. Weekend work is often required; some holiday work may be required based on the program schedule.
- Work hours can be split over 2 or 3 working days, Monday-Friday (9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.), with Saturday (available until 4 pm) as needed for community events
Pay: $20/hour
Mentorship: Regular check-ins and support from Executive Director Katie Thompson
What You’ll Do – Communications Intern
Save Our Shores (SOS) is a grassroots nonprofit organization in Santa Cruz, CA, dedicated to marine conservation. Founded in 1978 in response to offshore oil drilling threats, they played a key role in establishing the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. SOS works to combat plastic pollution and illegal sand mining and engages in marine science education, community stewardship, pollution outreach, and advocacy for protective ocean policies.
We’re looking for a creative and motivated Communications Intern to share our story, amplify our programs’ voices, and connect with our community. This hands-on role offers a chance to develop a strong communications portfolio while supporting our mission. The ideal candidate is a persuasive writer, savvy with social media, and eager to contribute to a small but powerful team.
- Communications and Development (85%): Create new material for the SOS website, community outreach, and social media outlets. This includes blog posts and creative ways to amplify SOS work through communications.
- Social Media: Assist in the development, organization, and posting of social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn) in collaboration with the Communication and Development Coordinator.
- Blog Writing: Assist in writing blog posts for the SOS website based on Program events.
- Content Creation: Develop engaging graphics, photos, short videos, and other digital media to support campaigns and events.
- Storytelling: Highlight the impact of our programs by writing blog posts, social captions, and supporter spotlights.
- Branding Support: Assist in the creation of a brand toolkit, helping to define Save Our Shores’ visual and narrative identity.
- Donor Outreach: assist in communicating with SOS programs donors in collaboration with the Communications and Development Department and the Executive Director.
- Attend cleanups and events: Gather content for social media at our cleanup and special events which happen throughout the year.
- Miscellaneous / Administrative (10%): Assist in other needs as assigned by the director
- Humanities EXCEL Programming (5%): Attend two cohort meetings each quarter when possible and participate in asynchronous Canvas experiential learning reflection.
Eligibility & Qualifications
- You must be a declared or proposed major or minor in a Humanities Division department and have good academic standing. If proposed, declare by June.
- Eligible majors: Applied Linguistics and Multilingualism, Classical Studies, Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, Feminist Studies, History, Jewish Studies, Language Studies, Linguistics, Literature, Philosophy, Spanish Studies
- Eligible minors: Black Studies, Classical Studies, East Asian Studies, History of Consciousness, History, Italian Studies, Jewish Studies, Language Studies, Linguistics, Literature, Middle Eastern and North African Studies, Philosophy, Spanish Studies
- You have work authorization (required)
- You can work independently and collaboratively (required)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Basic video editing skills and experience with video production equipment/software (such as Final Cut Pro) [required]
- Adobe Premier Pro experience is a bonus
- Highly organized with excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
- Passionate about social justice, food security, and positively impacting the community.
- Bonus: Bilingual English/ Spanish, basic understanding of photography
How To Apply
- Updated resume
- 1-page cover letter addressed to Katie Thompson sharing:
- Why you’re interested in this role and Save Our Shores (explore their website!)
- How your background and skills apply
- What you hope to gain from the experience
- A short piece of communications material you have produced that showcases your ability to communicate effectively and creatively (e.g., blog post, social media posts, flyer, pamphlet, graphic design, etc.).
Review the resume and cover letter resources to ensure you are a strong candidate! For application help, see Humanities Career Engagement.
Questions? Email Kylie Rachwalski at hum-experiential-learning@ucsc.edu.
The Mellon Foundation, The Helen and Will Webster Foundation, The Humanities Institute, the UCSC Humanities Division, and private donors generously support the Humanities EXCEL Program.
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct: