Experience Design Virtual Internship - Fall 2021
**Please note**
- Please read about how to submit your application on our website. We will not review applications submitted via Handshake; we will only review applications submitted via the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment Database.
- This internship may be virtual, in-person, or hybrid, depending on the intern's preference and our museum staffing capacity due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
- All accepted interns will have the option to apply for an internship stipend based on disclosed financial need after their selection.
The Experience Design team at the National Museum of American History strives to build relationships with all our visitors and create conversations about history with as many people as possible. We envision the National Museum of American History as an inclusive and welcoming space, alive with conversation, which creates and maintains a connected community among all our visitors. Experience Developers on our team create and sustain the overall daily experience for millions of visitors to our national museum – everything from our exhibition for our youngest visitors Wonderplace, to interactive theater programs like the museum’s iconic play Join the Student Sit-Ins at the Greensboro Lunch Counter, to tours and talks, to musical performances, to customer service and much more. In addition, the team works on developing major special projects like the History Film Forum and the Time Trials brand. During this internship, interns will get an inside view into developing and managing this complex program that is at the core of what we do at the Smithsonian Institution. Interns will be mentored by Christopher Wilson, Director, Experience Design, and will require close work with other members of the Office of Audience Engagement.
Goal: Overall, this internship aims to introduce students to the development and management of a vision and strategy for audience engagement at a national museum.
Status: Virtual, in-person, or hybrid, depending on the intern's preference and our museum staffing capacity due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
Anticipated Learning Objectives: By the end of this internship, the intern will:
- Develop an understanding of museum public engagement practices
- Develop program planning and evaluation skills
- Practice research and communication skills
- Contribute ideas based on lived experience to specific Museum programs
- Practice professional skills in a team setting
Expected Responsibilities: During the internship, the intern should expect to:
- Actively participate in meetings
- Meet project and program deadlines
- Produce well written information
Ideal Qualifications / Prerequisites: The ideal intern applicant is/has:
- In the process of obtaining an undergraduate or graduate degree in History, Museum Studies, Museum Education, Education, or another related field
- Excellent communication and people skills
- Self-motivated
- Excellent organizational skills
- Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative environment
- Open-minded in learning new topics and skills
Audience: This internship is specialized for individuals who already have some experience in this field. This internship is intended for 1 intern. Advanced undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate students, career changers, and other professionals are encouraged to apply.
Timeline: This internship will take place in Fall 2021. This internship is expected to be between 20 - 30 hours a week. The anticipated length of this internship is 10 - 12 weeks; the length can be flexible.
Eligible for Academic Credit: Yes! Interns may receive program or course credit for this experience if approved by their educational institution. Though NMAH does not itself award credit, the Interns and Fellows Office will help coordinate the requirements for credit with the educational institution.
Optional Enrichment Opportunities: Interns are invited to participate in optional opportunities during the internship that support professional growth and foster understanding about the museum field.
Financial Information: This opportunity provides a guaranteed stipend of $2,000. Additionally, upon selection, interns will have the opportunity to apply for additional funding based on financial need upon selection, interns will have the opportunity to apply for a stipend based on financial need; the amount of internship stipends depends on the amount of museum funds available and is at the discretion of NMAH. Internship stipends issued by the Smithsonian are not considered salary or meant as compensation, but are awarded to help defray living expenses for an intern during the term of their appointment. If an intern is awarded a stipend, stipends cannot be distributed before the start of an internship, and we typically recommend that an intern has at least enough external funding to cover the first month's expenses to accommodate the wait time required in stipend processing. To learn more, please check out our Internship FAQ page.
If you have any questions about the internship, please contact Caroline Fiertz, Interns & Fellows Program Manager at the National Museum of American History, at NMAHintern@si.edu or 202-633-3556.