Weekend Workshop Toolkit Series
Gain Job and Research Skills on Beautiful Catalina Island
Want to learn new skills or gain more confidence for internships and job opportunities? Looking for more real-world experience in the field, lab, or workplace? We have a workshop for you!
Through our NEW Weekend Workshop Toolkit series for undergraduate students, you can experience our Catalina Island campus while developing valuable skills that will make you a stronger candidate for internships and jobs. Each fast-paced, 2- or 3-day course covers a specific theme focused on lab, field, or workplace activities in the environment and sustainability.
Registration for spring 2024 workshops is now closed. Keep an eye on this page for future weekend workshops!
2024 Weekend Workshops
All courses in the Weekend Workshop Toolkit series include a 2- or 3-day stay at the Wrigley Marine Science Center, the Wrigley Institute’s satellite campus on Catalina Island. Students complete a fast-paced, activity-packed schedule that includes hands-on experiences in the field and/or lab. Courses do not have prerequisites and are open to all USC undergraduate students interested in environmental or sustainability careers. If demand exceeds availability, preference may be given to majors or minors from the USC Dornsife Environmental Studies Program.
Note: This experience has out-of-pocket costs that vary by course. Costs cover transportation to and from Catalina Island on the USC vessel Miss Christi, room and board while on Catalina Island, and all planned instructional activities. Financial support is available. The Wrigley Institute values diversity and believes that financial need should never be a barrier to a world-class education.
If you have questions about the Weekend Workshop Toolkit series, please contact Wrigley Institute Education Coordinator Meghan MacGregor.
Catalina Island Naturalist Training
Dates: Friday, March 1-Sunday, March 3, 2024
Cost: $65
Workshop schedule
Friday: Travel to the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island. Complete course introduction and spend the afternoon snorkeling and learning about marine ecology in a local Marine Protected Area.
Saturday: Tour Catalina Island’s backcountry while learning about the island’s human history, natural history, biogeography, and conservation efforts through the Catalina Island Conservancy’s Naturalist II course.
Sunday: Round off the weekend by showcasing some of your new science interpretation and communication skills on a hike with your new cohort. Return home in the afternoon.
Methods in Oceanography
Dates: Saturday, April 6-Sunday, April 7, 2024
Cost: $35
Workshop schedule
Saturday: Travel to the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island, where you’ll spend the day learning oceanographic methods with Wrigley Institute Senior Scientist Dr. Diane Kim. Practice monitoring methods for harmful algal blooms, including the opportunity to contribute to statewide water quality datasets.
Sunday: Learn more about oceanography internship and research training opportunities for undergraduates, including tips on how to leverage your participation in the toolkit series to prepare a competitive application. Complete additional lab exercises before heading home in the early afternoon.