Summer Internship Opportunity: Behind the Scenes at Natural History
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This internship is perfect for the Museum Studies student or someone who seeks a general overview of all the research and collections activities underway at Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Spend your summer exploring Natural History’s collection of 127 million specimens, research labs, and educational endeavors. The intern(s) will help coordinate and implement our 2014 summer internship program (estimated to include 300+ interns) including arranging tours of our research collections (birds, books, butterflies, marine mammals, mummies, mastodons, etc. – you get the idea) as well as workshops (e.g. illustration, plant anatomy, jobs & contracts, graduate fellowships) and special events like Morning in the Museum and Ice Cream Social. The intern will also assist in designing and implementing an onboarding orientation program for new NMNH interns as well as conduct an exit survey at the close of internships and collect and edit individual intern biographies about their summer internship. This internship offers a special opportunity to work with interns across all NMNH areas as a leader and role model for higher achievement in STEM disciplines and museum-related careers.
QUALIFICATIONS: Undergraduate, graduate student or graduate who has completed coursework or is currently enrolled in STEM disciplines and especially museum studies. Interest in working with undergraduate and graduate level interns. Must be able to lead and manage a group of 30 interns.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Learn how different natural history collections are maintained and managed
- Gain experience in managing and coordinating groups and event planning
- Hone office skills and office management processes
- Refine writing and editing skills through the production of a compiled report about the summer
TIMETABLE: Summer only. Specifically May – August, 2014
TO APPLY: Contact Stephanie Canington at caningtons@si.edu or 202.633.0862