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Call for Applications: Humanities EXCEL Fellowship with Seymour Marine Discovery Center–Storytelling Fellow 2025-2026

We encourage work-study and non-work-study students to apply. This internship is only open to undergraduate students with a declared or proposed Humanities major or minor and requires work authorization.

Application Deadline: May 11, 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: Seymour Marine Discovery Center

Location: Hybrid - 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, with some remote work

  • 1x/week in person at Seymour Center

Duration: Academic Year 2025–26

Hours: 10–20 hours/week

Pay: $20/hour

Mentorship: Regular check-ins and support from a designated supervisor

What You’ll Do – Storytelling Fellow

Together, we will develop a story that we will [a] install on a Storybooth in the Seymour Center’s exhibit hall that will be seen by tens of thousands of visitors and [b] tell online. This is a project-based internship that has clear timelines and deliverables. The story will weave together the following elements:

  1. Science behind the impacts of climate change on coastal communities (e.g. wildfires, freshwater access, changing fisheries, coastal erosion, biodiversity, etc.)
  2. A timely, relevant story of this phenomenon impacting Santa Cruz County or the Monterey Bay region
  3. A solution to the problem that is currently (or soon will be) on the table for Santa Cruz County or the Monterey Bay region
  4. Local heroes who are working to understand (e.g., scientists) or solve the problem (e.g,. public agency or nonprofit leader)
  5. Actions local families can take to advance the solution.

Each Storybooth is a small wall display, accompanied by a tabletop activity (on a 6-foot table) that includes an interactive game–an opportunity for the Fellow to be creative.

  • Research (40%): Independently conduct primary and secondary research, including but not limited to:
    • Reading scientific papers
    • Setting up interviews and talking with local stakeholders
    • Reading local news stories
  • Storytelling (40%): Using a template, synthesize the five story elements above into a concise, impactful narrative and interactive exhibit. Confidently write about the Monterey Bay region and local marine conservation issues.
    • Writing & Editing exhibit labels
    • Developing, building, and installing an interactive/participatory exhibit element
    • Produce short videos about the story, including behind-the-scenes footage of the story under development, scientist interviews, and more.
  • Curation & Install (20%): Using software and templates, learn to curate the graphic layout and evaluate the visual effectiveness of the Storybooth piece.
  • Humanities EXCEL Programming: 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)
  • You are interested in the Monterey Bay region and local marine conservation issues. [strongly preferred]
  • You can conduct research independently in an organized way and take effective notes [required]
  • You are an experienced writer, and you enjoy writing (expository and narrative writing). You can translate complex scientific concepts into a 6th-grade reading level. [required]
  • You are an active social media user and post video content regularly to your own–or another institution–feed [strongly preferred]
  • You work well independently and collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and community members. [required]
  • You have excellent time management skills to keep the project pace and meet deadlines. [required]
  • You check your campus email daily and proactively communicate with supervisors, instructors, etc. [required]
  • You have some experience with graphic design basics to support visual storytelling.
  • Bonus if you have taken some science-related courses, particularly biology or ecology.

How To Apply

  • Updated resume
  • 1-page cover letter addressing:
    • Why you’re interested in this role and Seymour Marine Discovery Center (explore their website!)
    • How your background and skills apply
    • What you hope to gain from the experience
  • A writing sample (one page or less) – please do not submit an academic paper. The sample should show you can communicate complex ideas simply. It can be a social media post. Expository writing is recommended.
    • PRO TIP: The Seymour Center is FREE for UCSC Students with ID. Visit the museum to see actual Storybooths to get the best sense of this role and the required writing.
  • Address your letter to Jonathan Hicken

Review these resume and cover letter resources to ensure you are a strong candidate! For application help, see Humanities Career Engagement.

APPLY NOW


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.

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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.

  1. “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: