Fall 2024 Voluntary Internship Opportunities

Social Media (Historical Collections) Internship

1 internship available at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, GA 

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Research archival, audio visual (AV), and 3D museum object holdings at the Carter Library for social media content. Identify relevant post material and write appropriate posts for Instagram, X, and Facebook, using best practices for both social media and cultural heritage organizations. Identify and create a log of related holdings (archival, AV, and museum objects) in the collection that can be accessed for future posts. Digitize internal documents as needed.

Professional Development Opportunities:

• The Social Media (Historical Collection) Intern will learn how to research NARA holdings by using internal databases and external catalogs. The intern will learn best practices for a cultural heritage organization and best practices for social media platforms while delivering educational material to the public. The intern will learn how to navigate The Museum System (TMS) and the NARA catalog to identify relevant material. The intern will learn plain-writing techniques and ADA guidelines in social media. The intern will create a digital portfolio of social media posts and images.

Work Environment: Work will be done primarily in an office setting with few physical demands. The intern will work independently and with colleagues as needed.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former bachelor's degree or graduate student
  • Degree program in U.S. History, Museum Studies, or Communications
• Qualifications:
  • Can work independently and effectively
  • Can work collaboratively as part of a team
  • Attention to detail
  • Strong writing ability

Schedule:

• Internship Dates: Monday 9/16 to Friday 12/6
• Weekly Schedule: 10 hours per week

Area(s) of Interest: Communications, Education & Public Programs, Museums Collections & Exhibits Management, Public History, Social Media

The selecting official for this internship may also request a writing sample and a letter of recommendation.

Archival Internship at the National Archives at San Francisco

2 internships available at the National Archives at San Francisco, CA (in San Bruno)

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Assist with archival processing of records (including arrangement and description, rehousing and labeling, creating finding aids, etc.) and digitization of records (including imaging of records, creation of metadata, quality control, etc.).
• Opportunities to perform historical research, create social media or blog posts, and assist with the reference process may be available pending project selection.

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Gain hands-on experience with archival standards and best practices while working with engaging materials and learning from qualified professional staff.
• Get a behind-the-scenes look at the policies and procedures of the National Archives while contributing to the preservation of our national history.
• Expand and practice communication and problem-solving skills.
• Products created during the internship – such as finding aids or digital copies of records – will be utilized by the public and National Archives staff to increase access to our holdings.

Work Environment: This job is office and computer-based, but with physical demands including some ascending caster equipped ladder and handling boxes of records stored up to 15 feet above the floor and typically weighing up to 50 pounds. The work may also demand considerable periods of maintaining a stationary position, moving, or otherwise positioning oneself to access objects, equipment, or records located in high and low places.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former bachelor's degree or graduate student
  • Degree program in history, museum studies, library science, or a related field.
• Qualifications:
  • Competent using computers for tasks including data entry, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations
  • Familiarity with or capability of using sophisticated scanning equipment
  • Attention to detail
  • Strong organizational skills

Schedule:

• Internship Date Options:
  • Monday 9/9 to Friday 11/29
  • Monday 9/16 to Friday 12/6
  • Monday 9/23 to Friday 12/13
• Weekly Schedule Options:
  • 10 hours per week
  • 11-19 hours per week

Area(s) of Interest: Archival Processing, Digitizing Archival Materials, Reference Services

Archival Internship at the National Archives at Seattle

3 internships available at the National Archives at Seattle, WA 

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Archival document arrangement, processing, digitization, and preservation

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Create comprehensive finding aids and indexes
• Develop intersections between different record groups and how various reference resources work
• Learn proper archival techniques for rehousing and preserving records, as well as how to digitize records for inclusion in the National Archives Catalog

Work Environment: Interns will work in the reference room, processing space, and archival stack areas. This will include ascending ladders to handle boxes of records stored up to 15 feet above the floor and typically weighing up to 50 pounds.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former bachelor's degree or graduate student
  • Degree program in Library and Information Science, Archives and Records Management, Public History, or Museum Studies
• Qualifications:
  • Coursework or practical experience in archival work including holdings maintenance, processing, or description
  • Competent using computers for tasks including data entry, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations
  • Attention to detail
  • Physically able to climb 15-foot ladders and work with boxes weighing up to 50 pounds

Schedule:

• Internship Date Options:
  • Monday 9/9 to Friday 11/29
  • Monday 9/16 to Friday 12/6
  • Monday 9/23 to Friday 12/13
• Weekly Schedule Options:
  • 20-29 hours per week
  • 30 hours or more per week

Area(s) of Interest: Archival Processing, Digitizing Archival Materials, Public History, Reference Services

The selecting official for this internship may also request a letter of recommendation.

Communications Internship for the Office of Presidential Libraries

2 internships available at the National Archives at College Park, MD 

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Collaborate closely with the P (Office of Presidential Libraries) communications coordinator and NARA public affairs and social media teams to brainstorm and develop out-of-the-box, innovative, and strategic approaches to support NARA's Presidential Libraries organizational and agency goals
• Assist in developing and maintaining stakeholder lists to reach local/national audiences and an editorial calendar to coordinate/track/schedule content across the organization
• Support additional communications needs across the organization including key message development and media responses

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Enhanced understanding of communications principles and the media landscape for a government agency
• Create communications strategies/creative concepts and tactical deliverables to reach targeted and diverse audiences
• Learn and experience how to contribute and/or respond to inquiries from major news outlets
• Hands-on experience working with communications professionals/experts
• Tangible work products include but are not limited to communications plans, press releases, key messages, responsive questions and answers, editorial calendars, resource library/toolkits (social media, editorial calendar, email marketing templates, etc)

Work Environment: The work is mostly sedentary in an office area setting. Participants are not expected to locate and retrieve records or move heavy containers of records.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former associate's degree, bachelor's degree or graduate student
• Qualifications:
  • Competent using computers for tasks including data entry, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations
  • Can work independently and effectively
  • Can work collaboratively as part of a team
  • Strong writing ability

Schedule:

• Internship Date Options:
  • Monday 9/9 to Friday 11/29
  • Monday 9/16 to Friday 12/6
  • Monday 9/23 to Friday 12/13
• Weekly Schedule: 20-29 hours per week

Area(s) of Interest: Communications, Editorial, External & Public Affairs, Marketing, Social Media

The selecting official for this internship may also request a writing sample.

IT Business Analyst Internship for the Requirements and Risk Management Division

1 internship available at the National Archives at College Park, MD 

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Gather, develop, and document business and system requirements for projects
• Develop user stories and Acceptance Criteria for Agile Projects
• Work with the development team on internal system development projects as a Business Analyst
• Develop Process Flow Maps to illustrate the AS-IS/TO-BE business processes

Professional Development Opportunities: The Business Analyst intern will learn to:

• Develop user stories, acceptance criteria and system requirements
• Analyze business processes and system functionalities
• Develop business process flows
• Collaborate and develop relationships with team members and business stakeholders
• Improve communication, written, verbal, and presentation skills

Work Environment: This is a remote work opportunity yet the intern will periodically be asked to come to the College Park, MD worksite. The internship requires consistent internet access and the ability to work on a computer.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former bachelor's degree student
  • Degree in Information Technology/Computer Science
• Qualifications:
  • Can work collaboratively as part of a team
  • Attention to detail
  • Excellent verbal communication skills
  • Strong writing ability

Schedule:

• Internship Dates: Monday 9/9 to Friday 11/29
• Weekly Schedule: 30 hours or more per week

Area(s) of Interest: Information Technology

The selecting official for this internship may also request a letter of recommendation.

Digital Engagement (Metadata Standards) Internship for the Office of Innovation

1 internship available at the National Archives at College Park, MD 

The Digital Engagement Division in the Office of Innovation (VE) seeks an enthusiastic and motivated undergraduate or graduate student in archival administration, library science, information science, or information management to join our team as a Volunteer Intern. This internship offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on metadata standards experience to make access happen via the National Archives Catalog. The Digital Engagement Division includes three programs: standards and authorities, description (review), and technical.

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Support metadata standards and authorities work as a member of the Digital Engagement Division team, which supports the National Archives Catalog, Description and Authority Services (DAS), and the Standards and Authorities Program
• Assist with development of updated training materials for NARA’s archival description metadata standards and authority files
• Research and benchmark metadata standards, including linked data, across the archival profession, nationally and internationally
• Analyze legacy finding aids and provide recommendations to transform their content into standards-compliant metadata for Catalog descriptions

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Archival skills: Archival description standards and authorities hands-on experience
• Writing and editing skills: Draft a standards proposal for a new metadata element
• Research skills: Research and draft administrative history notes for federal organizations or biographical notes for individuals who created federal records
• Technical skills: Gain experience with the application programming interface (API) for the Catalog

Work Environment: Interns will be issued a NARA laptop, and work will occur in a hybrid work environment, including both in an office setting and remotely. Work will be completed on a computer.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former bachelor's degree student, Current or former graduate student
  • Degree program in library or information science, or history program with archival concentration
• Qualifications:
  • Coursework or practical experience in archives administration, information, and/or library sciences
  • Coursework or practical experience in archival work including holdings maintenance, processing, or description
  • Research capability
  • Attention to detail, with good organizational skills
  • Willingness to learn
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Proficiency in Google office software tools, i.e. Gmail, Sheets, Docs, etc.

Schedule:

• Internship Date Options:
  • Monday 9/9 to Friday 11/29
  • Monday 9/16 to Friday 12/6
• Weekly Schedule Options:
  • 10 hours per week
  • 11-19 hours per week

Area(s) of Interest: Archival Processing, Communications

The selecting official for this internship may also request a writing sample and a letter of recommendation.

1 internship available at the National Archives at College Park, MD 

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• General reference support, online posting, engagement, and day-to-day management of the History Hub
• Working with internal and external stakeholders to further build the History Hub community
• Monitoring and responding to community conversations in a timely and expert fashion

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Customer Service Skills:  Providing customer service and engaging with the public
• Written and Oral Communication Skills:  Providing written responses to questions posted by History Hub users and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders both orally and in writing
• Research Skills: Bridge the gap between NARA’s resources and the needs of researchers by providing expert guidance, context, and connections to relevant archival records

Work Environment: Interns will be issued a NARA laptop, and work will occur in a hybrid work environment, including both in an office setting and remotely. Work will be completed on a computer.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former bachelor's degree or graduate student
  • Degree program in library or information science, or a history program with archival concentration
• Qualifications:
  • Research capability
  • Competent using computers for tasks including data entry, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations
  • Can work independently and effectively
  • Strong writing ability

Schedule:

• Internship Date Options:
  • Monday 9/9 to Friday 11/29
  • Monday 9/16 to Friday 12/6
  • Monday 9/23 to Friday 12/13
• Weekly Schedule Options:
  • 11-19 hours per week
  • 20-29 hours per week
  • 30 hours or more per week

Area(s) of Interest: Communications, Education & Public Programs, Reference Services, Social Media

The selecting official for this internship may also request a writing sample and a letter of recommendation.

Project Management Internship for the Space Planning & Projects Branch

1 internship available at the National Archives at College Park, MD 

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Document Management: Assist with the organization, updating, and archiving of project documents such as contracts, permits, and project plans.
• Project Coordination: Support project managers in coordinating tasks, scheduling meetings, and communicating with contractors and stakeholders.
• Site Visits: Participate in site visits to monitor progress, take notes, and report any issues or discrepancies observed.
• Data Entry and Analysis: Enter project data into management software, analyze progress reports, and prepare summaries for review by senior staff.

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Project Management Skills: Gain an understanding of the project lifecycle, including planning, execution, monitoring, and closure. Learn how to manage schedules, budgets, and resources effectively.
• Communication Skills: Enhance both written and verbal communication skills by interacting with team members, contractors, and stakeholders. Learn to prepare clear and concise reports and updates.
• Technical Knowledge: Acquire knowledge of construction methods, materials, and industry standards. This may include understanding blueprints, specifications, and construction software tools like AutoCAD, MS Project, or Primavera.
• Problem-Solving Abilities: Develop the ability to identify and address issues that arise during a project. This includes critical thinking and troubleshooting to find effective solutions to construction-related challenges.
• Attention to Detail: Improve attention to detail by ensuring accuracy in documentation, data entry, and compliance with regulations and safety standards.
• Team Collaboration: Learn to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, understanding the roles and responsibilities of different team members, and contributing to a collaborative work environment.
• Time Management: Enhance time management skills by balancing multiple tasks and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced construction environment.

Work Environment:

• The intern will spend a significant amount of time in an office setting, working at a desk with a computer and other office equipment. This environment is usually professional and business-casual, with tasks such as document management, data entry, and meeting coordination.
• The intern will also frequently visit construction sites to observe progress, take notes, and assist in site inspections. These visits require wearing appropriate safety gear, such as hard hats, safety vests, and boots, and adhering to strict safety protocols.
• The office may have dedicated spaces for team meetings, project discussions, and collaborative work. These areas facilitate communication and collaboration among project team members, including project managers, engineers, and other stakeholders.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former high school or associate's degree student
• Qualifications:
  • Physically able to climb 15-foot ladders and work with boxes weighing up to 50 pounds
  • Can work independently and effectively
  • Attention to detail
  • Strong organizational skills

Schedule:

• Internship Date Options:
  • Monday 9/9 to Friday 11/29
  • Monday 9/16 to Friday 12/6
  • Monday 9/23 to Friday 12/13
• Weekly Schedule Options:
  • 10 hours per week
  • 11-19 hours per week

Area(s) of Interest: Facility Operations & Logistics

Education Programs Internship

2 internships available at the National Archives at Washington, DC 

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Work with school groups in a museum setting,
• Support teacher professional development workshops and institutes,
• Design D-12 education programs for in-gallery school visits, and
• Design education activities for the Sleepover.

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Interns will gain real-world experience as museum educators during the internship. They will work alongside professional museum educators and have the opportunity to design education programs and materials for K-12 school visits to the museum. Interns will assist in facilitating teacher professional development programs that will allow them to understand teacher needs. Interns will also have the opportunity to work with museum public programs specialists and visitor services coordinators in order to understand how museum education programs synthesize and support the full range of education in the museum.

Work Environment: Work may occur in an office setting, in museum galleries or classrooms, and in other similar settings. Interns may be required to stand for periods of time or to sit at a computer in the course of their work.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former bachelor's degree or graduate student
  • Education or museum studies major preferred
• Qualifications:
  • Research capability
  • Can work collaboratively as part of a team
  • Attention to detail
  • Strong writing ability

Schedule:

• Internship Date Options:
  • Monday 9/9 to Friday 11/29
  • Monday 9/16 to Friday 12/6
  • Monday 9/23 to Friday 12/13
• Weekly Schedule Options:
  • 11-19 hours per week
  • 20-29 hours per week

Area(s) of Interest: Education & Public Programs

The selecting official for this internship may also request a writing sample and a letter of recommendation.

Processing Internship for the Textual Division

2 internships available at the National Archives at Washington, DC 

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• The internship entails fundamental maintenance of archival holdings, and includes tasks such as rehousing textual records, verifying collection contents, and developing finding aids for the catalog. Additionally, interns will be involved in the Innovation Hub, where they will assist patrons with scanning records, ensure quality control, enter metadata, and perform Photoshop work to prepare images for the catalog.

Professional Development Opportunities:

• During the internship, participants will acquire the skills necessary to evaluate the processing requirements of textual records, learn the methodologies employed to establish both physical and intellectual control over the records, and learn how to strategize and document processing procedures. Furthermore, interns will apply these principles to a set of records and will be tasked with creating a comprehensive processing work plan, finding aid, and catalog entries. Additionally, interns will acquire hands-on experience in digitizing primary source material for the catalog and generating metadata.

Work Environment: Half of the tasks will be undertaken within the archives processing room, operating discreetly behind the scenes, while the remaining half will be performed within the Innovation Hub, a publicly accessible section of the archives. This may include some heavy lifting of up to 50 lbs.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former bachelor's degree or graduate student
  • Degree program in History, Archives Management, Library and Information Science, or Records Management.
• Qualifications:
  • Coursework or practical experience in archival work including holdings maintenance, processing, or description
  • Competent using computers for tasks including data entry, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations
  • Familiarity with or capability of using sophisticated scanning equipment
  • Attention to detail

Schedule:

• Internship Dates: Monday 9/23 to Friday 12/13
• Weekly Schedule Options:
  • 10 hours per week
  • 11-19 hours per week
  • 20-29 hours per week
  • 30 hours or more per week

Area(s) of Interest: Archival Processing, Digitizing Archival Materials, Records Management

The selecting official for this internship may also request a letter of recommendation.