This year MSDS Marine have been able to host three internships thanks to funding from Historic England as part of our Landlocked and Looking Out project. The internships offered early career professionals and students the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the heritage sector – and the best bit is they were paid! In this blog Flora Tomlinson-Pilley, reflects on her experiences with MSDS Marine this summer.
I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my internship and am finishing it this week having gained valuable paid experience. The knowledge and skills will aid me in my future career, may it be in my photography or even just my part time bar job! Working with the public, alongside MSDS Marine, I have learned how to interact with and teach people of all different ages, opinions and walks of life. These experiences will help me work with all different people as I move on in my career. I am so grateful to MSDS Marine for offering this experience, and to Historic England for the funding that made it possible. The internship has been so much more than just showing up to events and being a helping hand!
During the internship I have travelled all over the Midlands teaching people about marine archaeology but whilst teaching others about the importance of maritime archaeology and protected wrecks I have also learned so much myself! The knowledge I have gained from this experience will aid me in my photography and enable me to carry on teaching others through my photos and future work. Protected wrecks are important for many different reasons; whilst they teach us about the past they also provide a shelter and home for many marine animals. It is so important that the younger generation, alongside new inland audiences, are aware of these amazing wrecks and how we can protect them to protect our futures and learn more and more about our past!
Whilst participating in this internship I have also been taking photos at all the pop-up events. By taking photos for MSDS Marine, I have helped contribute to images that can be used to advertise upcoming events and help celebrate 50 years of protected wrecks. However, these events have also allowed me to practice a different style of photography, broadening my photography knowledge and skills. I have gained a ‘diving family’ who I can dive with in the future. I have also gained connections to people who may be able to help me within my career, who if it wasn’t for this internship, wouldn’t have met!
Overall, this internship has taught me so much, connected me with new people and been really fun! An internship with MSDS Marine will definitely be a massive step for me in my career, and the skills gained will be invaluable. Also, the little MSDS Marine family will always be my favourite!!!
