Fall 2018 internships at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, deadline is July 1

The National Museum of American History internship program allows a diverse group of people with innumerable interests, strengths, and goals to encounter an educational environment where they can work with and learn from professionals and scholars in related areas of concentration. The Museum offers interns of different backgrounds incredible opportunities in a variety of fields, from public relations to exhibition research to project design. Learning from knowledgeable mentors in the dynamic atmosphere of the Museum and Washington, D.C. area, interns enjoy an intensive experience as multifaceted as the Museum itself. In addition we provide a robust set of enrichment activities that range from behind-the-scenes collection tours, career readiness workshops, director’s talks and field trips.

We currently have four different programs to select from In our Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment system (SOLAA) https://solaa.si.edu/solaa/#/public:

1.       NMAH Development Internship (External Affairs) Program – For more information and read our testimonials à http://americanhistory.si.edu/getinvolved/internship/opportunities/development

2.       NMAH Special Events Internship (External Affairs) Program - For more information and read our testimonials à http://americanhistory.si.edu/getinvolved/internship/opportunities/special-events

3.       NMAH Office of Communications & Marketing Program – For more information à http://americanhistory.si.edu/getinvolved/internship/opportunities/public-affairsoffice-communications-marketing

4.       NMAH Internship Program à http://americanhistory.si.edu/getinvolved/internship This selection is for all other internship projects outside of External Affairs and Communications & Marketing (i.e. Curatorial Projects; Archives Center; Conservation; Public Programs – Daily Programs, Programs in African American History, Programs in Latino History; Graphic Production; Exhibition Design and more!). Once you select ‘NMAH Internship Program’ you will have to choose three internship projects that are ranked by preference.

a.       PAID INTERNSHIP – James Lollar Hagan – Fall 2018 Project: “Entertaining America” Curatorial Project - http://americanhistory.si.edu/getinvolved/internship/james-lollar-hagan-internship

b.       New Project – Inclusion Infusion (Accessibility) Project - This new project will provide a wide range of opportunities for visitors who are blind or have low vision to experience the Museum better. The intern will provide assistance with the four project components: creating verbal description tours, offering electronic guiding system to visitors who use AIRA, two tactile floor plans with audio, and take-away materials in braille and large print. Work will consist of testing prototypes, conducting evaluations, monitoring development of all four components.

Learning Objectives: The intern will learn the planning process involved in launching an innovative large-scale project. They will gain experience in coordinating a project across several different departments, and they will understand what is needed to serve as a Project Manager of a large project.

Comprehensive Evaluation Plan

The Intern will create systems for collecting, monitoring and reporting out evaluation data for all surveys and studies conducted. They will coordinate this with a new initiative for all Smithsonian units to collect evaluation data on outreach, engagement and impact.  Conduct front-end and formative qualitative evaluations with visitors and learn to conduct rapid prototype testing.

Learning Objectives:  The Intern will learn to analyze data and create original reports that will inform a wide range of staff. They will learn how to collaborate with other Smithsonian units and provide feedback data collected so that this initiative can be expanded.

The central Smithsonian Office of Fellowships and Internships (www.smithsonianofi.com) has paid internship opportunities that students can apply to and receive funding while being placed with a project at the National Museum of American History. In your essay you can indicate the National Museum of American History or other units as potential placements. Here are a few of those programs:

1.       Anne R. and G. Wayne Clough Internship - https://www.smithsonianofi.com/anne-r-and-g-wayne-clough-internship/

2.       James E. Webb Internship for Minority Undergraduate Juniors and Graduate Students in Business and Public Administration https://www.smithsonianofi.com/internship-opportunities/james-e-webb-internship/

3.       Katzenberger Foundation Art History Internship - https://www.smithsonianofi.com/internship-opportunities/katzenberger-art-history-internship/

4.       Minority Awards Program – Internship and Visiting Student - https://www.smithsonianofi.com/minority-internship-program/

5.       Native American Awards Program – Internship - https://www.smithsonianofi.com/internship-opportunities/native-american-internship-awards/

6.       Go to www.smithsonianofi.com for deadlines and other information.

We have created multiple internship postings on Handshake.com. If your institution uses something other than Handshake.com to post internship opportunities feel free to create a post using information from this email.

If you are interested in organizing an informational session feel free to contact me at NMAHintern@si.edu. Informational sessions are mostly done through our video conference system. If you are within the Washington DC metropolitan area we can also visit your campus as well. If you are outside of the DC metropolitan area and are interested in having us come to your campus please know that we will do our best to accommodate your requests. We also invite schools to bring their students to the Museum for a site visit.

Our deadline is July 1, 2018 for our summer internships