Pros
The Ocean Institute is located in Dana Point, it is a great place to work. You are literally on the beach and get spectacular views of the ocean. The buildings and space are amazing, the facility boasts 2 historic tall ships and 1 modern research vessel. There are days when the boat captain comes out and says they have been seeing a lot of whales and we hop on and go whale watching. There are some truly amazing staff who are dedicated and have worked here for over 30 years. There is a group of amazingly dedicated volunteers who do everything from maintain the ships, feed the animals, teach and work in the gift store. What makes the Ocean Institute special is not the boats, the space or the location- it is the people. The staff here are the heart and soul of the organization. Children do not learn history by looking at the tall ships, they do not learn science by simply looking through a microscope. It is the staff that provide the experiences that so many visitors and students enjoy. It is the people and the volunteers at the Ocean Institute that shape every guest's experience. This is what has made the Ocean Institute successful, the amazing team of people who work here.
Cons
Being a nonprofit organization you definitely work hard and wear many hats. Management always shows appreciation, however compensation is on the low end for a nonprofit of this size. There is no air conditioning- but it is near the beach so it isn't too bad.