Interviewing our 2024-2025 interns

This year, we celebrated the graduation of our two star marine interns, Grac and Sophie! We interviewed them for a catch-up on their time spent with Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust to hear all about their experience during their time with us.

Left: Sophie Huang. Right: Grac Coyle.

How did this internship help you gain a deeper understanding of your field of interest?

S: The internship was relevant to my marine science studies and very catered to those who are already in the marine field. It introduced practical learning to my marine science interest — uni is more academic and ‘on paper’, and it built a bridge between the two.

Being able to see other people experience the ocean for the first time was memorable. Kids screamed when they saw a fish — any fish!

G: There were lots of opportunities to learn and then put things into practice. It was good to be given all the components from observing events before jumping in and helping.

It put conservation efforts into perspective, widening what it means to work in conservation versus volunteering. For me, it highlighted my interest in combining conservation with people skills and community.

What were some valuable or personal skills you learnt?

S: It can be a high-risk environment in the waters, and I learned the importance of Health and Safety and being able to cater to everyone, for example the differences with kids and schools as opposed to adults.

My leadership and in-water confidence improved, and my duck diving got better!

G: I learned a lot more about working with kids, and how the environment you are in makes a difference to their responses. It was interesting to learn how kids approach and understand things.

I also loved learning about the admin side of things — the ‘why’ and ‘how’ things happen. I’ve grown in my public speaking confidence and I learned to slow down my speech to cater my language to different groups.

I’m also now way better at snorkelling and swimming and I learned a lot of fun facts about the environment!

Sophie with a kina at Waiake/Torbay beach

What was your favourite part of a typical day with Mountains to Sea?

S: Being able to see all the wildlife in the moana, from the little nudibranchs covering Takapuna Reef to the many eagle rays at Goat Island!

G: The first moments getting into the water. It's the time when I realise how much I love the moana, despite the temperature sometimes, and it's the time when all the participants get pushed a little further outside their comfort zone while realising how many amazing things are beneath the surface.

How have you felt the internship has impacted your life?

S: I've always had a strong interest in the outreach, advocacy and education space. My experience as an intern with Mountains to Sea definitely catered to my interest, where I was able to draw on skills I already had from other experiences, while also being able to upskill, learn new skills, and adapt them for different contexts.

I love being able to inspire young people to build curiosity, follow their passions, and take care of our environment, and the internship has really filled my heart with this.

G: I’d say it’s given me the chance to realise I want to work in this field in particular. Community-based conservation combines my degrees — anthropology and marine science. I feel that I am so lucky and privileged to have had this experience and now be working in the field of my choice, only 6 months after my degree.

Grac with snorkellers at Campbell's Bay beach

What would you recommend about the internship to someone who was interested in doing it for themselves?

S: Go for it! Apply and see what happens. If you're not sure if it is the right experience for you, ask questions. It's good to know what you're getting into. It is such a great experience, and so much fun!

G: I would highlight the accessibility of this opportunity. As a young queer disabled person navigating new spaces, it can be difficult and often inaccessible. What stood out to me about this experience is that the team at Mountains to Sea truly values who I am and what I can bring to the table. It was a wonderful opportunity to step into the world of conservation. Mountains to Sea works with other like-minded organisations with different specialisations, so I got to experience a diverse array of mahi in the field.

How would you sum up your time with Mountains to Sea in a few words or sentence?

S: Fun hands on learning!

G: Very experiential, learning by doing.

Grac and Sophie at Te Hāwere-a-Maki/Goat Island

We are endlessly grateful for the hard work of Grac and Sophie. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with them and witness the growth of their marine conservation skills, and we’re stoked to say a formal haere mai to them as official Mountains to Sea crew members!