Finding My Voice for the Voiceless: A Reflection on My IMMP Internship

By Jillian Surdilla

Jillian Surdilla is an intern with the International Marine Mammal Project. She just graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and plans to attend veterinary school.

When I first reached out to the International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP) of Earth Island Institute, it almost felt as if it was a shot in the dark. At the time, I was deeply entrenched in a business-oriented academic path—one that no longer felt fulfilling or aligned with who I was.

Asking to get involved with IMMP was, in many ways, a last attempt to reconnect with the passion I had for ocean and marine life conservation—something I had long suppressed. But by being graciously invited to the team, I gained the confidence to abandon my fears of following my heart, as I was reminded of what it felt like to care deeply, to advocate boldly, and to be part of something bigger than myself.

What I found through this internship was far more than just an opportunity; it was the beginning of a return to myself and a career path that finally felt right.

One of the most powerful lessons I learned was the importance of storytelling. In the fight for conservation, it’s not just about sharing facts — it’s about creating emotional connections that move people to act. In a world dominated by social media, I realized how much potential I had to make a difference using my own voice. As a member of Gen-Z, I’ve grown up in the digital age, and this internship helped me see how I could creatively harness my background to raise awareness in fresh, impactful ways.

I was able to play a hands-on role in advocating for the SWIMS Act by creating educational infographics. I also learned to be bold when it comes to outreach.

One of the most meaningful projects I worked on involved creating video reels to raise awareness about the Taiji dolphin hunts in Japan. These videos were somber and intentionally raw, featuring never-before-seen footage from the Cove in Japan to shed light on the brutal reality of this practice. It was difficult, emotional work — but I saw firsthand how powerful visual storytelling can be in sparking conversations and calling people to action.

Advocacy isn’t passive—it’s active, and sometimes uncomfortable, but always necessary.

Another significant takeaway from this experience was the importance of staying informed. Closely following international policy developments and political news deepened my understanding of how various countries approach cetacean conservation — and, just as critically, how the United States compares.

This awareness underscored the influential role we can play, both as a nation and as individuals, in shaping a more ethical and sustainable future for whales, dolphins, and other marine life.

To say this internship changed me would be an understatement. It completely reawakened the part of me that had always wanted to be a veterinarian — a dream I’d shelved for years out of comparing myself to others, and also because of my fear of failure. But it was working with IMMP that reminded me why I cared so much in the first place. It showed me that there’s always something we can do to be a voice for animals, and that reconnecting with your passion is never a step backward—it’s a leap forward.