Port of Los Angeles
The Port of Los Angeles offers several ways for college students to gain experience inside one of the country's largest port complexes.
- Student Workers
- Student Professional Workers
- Student Engineers
- Student Architects
- Summer Internships
Student engineers may work with Port teams in engineering, construction, and goods movement on projects involving buildings, wharves, roads, rail, transportation studies, and other infrastructure. The Port accepts student engineer and architect applications year-round.
Military Sealift Command
Military Sealift Command employs civilian mariners aboard government ships supporting U.S. Navy operations worldwide. Entry-level opportunities are available in deck, engine, and supply departments and can provide a path to sea time, additional qualifications, and advancement.
NAVSEA - Students & Recent Graduates
The Naval Sea Systems Command employs civilian engineers, scientists, technicians, and other professionals involved with Navy ships and technology.
- Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program - SEAP
- Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program - NREIP
- SMART Scholarship
- DoD Cyber Scholarship Program
- Pathways internships and recent-graduate programs
These programs are especially relevant to students interested in engineering, naval architecture, cybersecurity, robotics, sensors, and defense technology.
NOAA
NOAA provides student and career opportunities for people interested in the ocean, weather, environmental science and marine technology.
* Oceanography
* Meteorology
* Hydrography and mapping
* Engineering
* Data science
* Environmental science
* Marine operations
Crowley
Crowley offers student programs across maritime, shipping, and logistics. Opportunities can include part-time student employment, summer internships and development programs for recent graduates.
Curtin Maritime - Long Beach, California
Curtin Maritime provides a local Southern California option for students interested in vessel operations, marine construction, and skilled trades.
- Deckhand
- Welder
- Engineer
- Mate
- Crane Operator
- Captain
MITAGS Employer Pathways
MITAGS apprenticeship programs connect classroom and simulator training with participating maritime employers, giving apprentices a direct connection to working vessels and industry experience.
Start Looking Before You're Ready to Apply
Follow organizations that work in the field that interests you and check their career pages regularly. An internship at a port may lead to a career in engineering. An entry-level vessel job may lead toward a Coast Guard license. A Navy research internship may introduce you to robotics or cybersecurity.
Your first opportunity does not have to determine your entire career. It just has to give you a place to start.
Maritime Defense and Security Careers: Engineering, Technology, Navy and Defense Industry Jobs
Maritime defense depends on far more than sailors. Explore careers in engineering, cybersecurity, sensors, communications, ship systems, logistics and the civilian organizations that support national security at sea.
Ocean and Environmental Science Careers: Marine Science, Weather, NOAA and Research
The maritime world is also scientific. Explore careers in oceanography, marine science, weather, environmental monitoring and research – on shore and at sea.
Maritime Supply Chain and Logistics Careers: How Goods Move From Ship to Shore
Every product has a journey. Explore careers that plan and coordinate how cargo moves through ships, ports, warehouses, trucks, and rail networks – and how data keeps the entire system connected.
Port Operations Careers: How to Work in Ports, Terminals and Vessel Operations
Ports are working systems where ships, cargo, people and equipment have to move safely and on schedule. Learn about terminal operations, vessel coordination, and the many careers that keep a port moving.
Limited time only beginning on September 5, 2026!
Kids Board Free
In the all-new Life of a Sailor experience, kids become sailor recruits, building their skills, following the story of a famous sailor, and joining Vicky the Dog on a scavenger hunt through Battleship IOWA.
Kids board free with a paid adult.