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by Brook Wilkinson

If you didn't make the cut for that dream job as caretaker of the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, you've got a second chance. This time, Malibu (yes, that Malibu, of coconut-flavored rum) is offering up ten internships to conduct surveys of the coral reefs around Thailand, the Maldives, and the Philippines. Your employer will be Reef Check, a well-regarded nonprofit dedicated to monitoring, protecting, and rehabilitating coral reefs. During your ten-day, all-expenses-paid internship, you'll learn about the local reef ecosystem, snorkel, and scuba dive (you'll get certified if you aren't already) to inspect its health.

To apply, you'll need to write a 500-word essay explaining why Malibu should choose you, plus answer questions like "What are you passionate about?" and "How do you get your island on?" They say that videos are "not required but highly encouraged," which means you'd be crazy to apply without one. (The winner of the Great Barrier Reef job produced a video full of images of his travel highlights, from bungee jumping to running a marathon in Africa.) You'll need to submit your application by the end of August and be available to travel between October 15 and November 15. (Oh, and you must be 21--they probably want lots of shots of you drinking Malibu rum after your reef checks.)

So get busy and figure out how to get your island on!

Further reading:
* How can we open the joys and benefits of travel to more people? Enter your idea and you could be featured in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler.
* Responsible Traveler: Making a difference.