Mermaid Internhips

[Mercelien]

Hey everyone,
It's been a pretty long while since I've been active on here, because I was focusing on getting into college. Now that I'm here I want to get back into the community. I wasn't quite sure where to post this so I decided to post it here since it has to do with transitioning into becoming a professional mermaid and it's not exactly me self promoting myself more as its me searching for information. So here goes. The college I'm going to requires students to do an internship, either during the summer or during a semester off. I talked with the career office and they said that I could definitely be able to do an internship as a mermaid and have it count as credit. However, I have to find a program or a person willing to let me intern. So my question to my fellow mermaids and mermans are: 1. What sort of internship programs are out there for mermaiding either through aquariums or individuals?
2. What are some tips for applying?
Any information would be most appreciated. I've tried doing research on my own but I'm not quite sure what to look for. Thank you


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[MermaidCelesteFL]

Hun, I'd hate to break the news to you, but this isn't exactly something you can intern for. A good deal of mermaids (including myself) were self-started businesses that grew off of previous swimming/performing/marketing experience. Here are just a few things to keep in mind:

1. Performing at aquariums (even out of the tank) requires a lot of personal contacts and networking. Cold calling won't work most of the time, you actually have to know someone important on the inside. If you want to work in a tank, you will almost definitely be required to show a valid scuba license first, and get through a lot of red tape.

2. Already-established (and well-known) mermaids are usually not looking for additional mermaids to add to their roster (even I have been bugged about this, and I'm not very well-known!). If they do, the first people they will contact will be other mers who have a ton of experience, and already personally know them.

3. Your best bet would be to contact local princess party companies and see if they might need a mermaid performer. See what their requirements might be, and work from there. Each company is different. Even then though, you probably won't be doing anything related to your major or field.

4. Also, ask local kids charities and hospitals if you can volunteer there as a mermaid actress. A lot of the time, they will ask you for your press kit, some information on you as a performer, and what you look like with a dress and a tail on.

All in all, I would say to look for something that has to do with your major first, and something easily obtainable. You will be surprised how many skills can be transferred from working something as simple as a marketing internship with <insert company name here>- to your dream job. I'm still kicking myself because I turned down an internship with PADI, several years later.

[AniaR]

Hey everyone,
It's been a pretty long while since I've been active on here, because I was focusing on getting into college. Now that I'm here I want to get back into the community. I wasn't quite sure where to post this so I decided to post it here since it has to do with transitioning into becoming a professional mermaid and it's not exactly me self promoting myself more as its me searching for information. So here goes. The college I'm going to requires students to do an internship, either during the summer or during a semester off. I talked with the career office and they said that I could definitely be able to do an internship as a mermaid and have it count as credit. However, I have to find a program or a person willing to let me intern. So my question to my fellow mermaids and mermans are: 1. What sort of internship programs are out there for mermaiding either through aquariums or individuals?
2. What are some tips for applying?
Any information would be most appreciated. I've tried doing research on my own but I'm not quite sure what to look for. Thank you


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Hey welcome back. I love your profile pic, I show that one to kids all the time of Linden when I teach about Jellies haha. Always gives me a smile.

At mermania we have a mer who has performed in aquariums coming to talk on our expert panel specifically about aquariums. I have also interviewed a bunch of other aquarium mers, weeki mers who have toured in aquariums, and a few aquariums on the topic for my book. Some of the info is in my book but it was so much so I'm going to do a blogpost/vlog on it after Mermania.

Anyway, my personal experience with aquariums is a bit different than what I have heard from other mers who do it professionally. Some mers do the odd "appearance" while others have standing contracts.

For me, the focus they wanted was on education and they sought me out. The networking person was someone I had done a gig for... FOUR YEARS earlier! LOL. I was paid for my work, but that is not the standard in the industry.

Ripley's for instance doesnt pay their merfolk anymore. They did back in the day, but even then it was very little. (I seem to recall Melissa posting something about only $200 a week and she spent a lot of money staying in the area to be able to do it) the trade off though is that Ripley's will endorse you and allow you to use their logo officially. I believe many of them also make their own tails (not for commercial use) as well based on my contacts there.

The Florida aquarium had the mernation girls briefly. It started off as a program, then ended up as just odd events, and then was scraped. I was talking to them about it at last year's mermania and how frustrating it was for them. The Aquarium just felt it wasn't educational enough (which I would argue!)

Several of my contacts who have secured long standing contracts with aquariums say you need to be either free diver/scuba certified. They do seem to favour people who have relevant education.

The big message I gathered from interviewing all these people (and I would agree based on my own aquarium experiences) is that these places dont NEED mermaids and see them as very low on the totem poll. Many do not pay, or pay very little, and are very critical of anything additional being in the tanks. (even Hannah got criticism for leaving sequins behind in an aquarium) You really have to sell yourself, and make a bridge to science/education to get a fin in the door.

As far as I know there are no internships anywhere. Everymer wants to be in real aquariums! So lots of competition. However, that doesn't mean you can't pitch yourself.

Because you're looking at this as part of your education I would have your instructor/supervisor write a letter for you that introduces the idea of an internship. This is fairly standard in most professional academic fields anyway where someone is looking to branch out for something outside the norm. Then you gotta gather material to really sell yourself and how you'll be a benefit to the aquarium.

A good point that I would make is that a mermaid appearance would boost new people coming to the aquarium (especially families) which could lead to more memberships. Also, the potential of media coverage which could also lend to more membership increases. If you are scuba or free diving certified and or privately insured tell them that too.

And as I mentioned, we have an expert in this area coming to Mermania. So if you're in the area or are planning on coming, def check out. I've already had a preview of some of the stuff she's going to cover and it is ON point!

[Saren]

Interestingly enough I was thinking about an internship program when I finally get settled.

When I was getting my degree I did a couple of internships and I thought if my company could offer one it'd be a good way to give back to the community.

Unfortunately my company is still in its infant stages so having the ability to sponsor an internship is out of reach for now.

I hope you can find what your looking for, however may I suggest an internship with freediving or scuba diving? It provides some of the necessary skills that many mermaids use in aquariums and open water adventures.

AND I second the princess company, if you can intern with one that adds experience to your performance role and even some business know how depending on what they ask you to do.