Spring 2025 Voluntary Internship Opportunities

Archival Internship for the National Archives at Chicago

2 internships available at the National Archives at Chicago, IL 

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Interns will arrange and describe records, digitize records, and perform basic preservation tasks on records. The intern will also have some opportunities to help with reference, as well.

Professional Development Opportunities:

• In addition to obtaining hands-on experience processing and digitizing 19th and 20th Century records, the intern will be able to observe how a small staff is able to manage over 130,000 cubic feet of records and answer thousands of reference requests in a timely manner. The intern will also be able to participate in all staff meetings and staff development programs that take place during their tour.

Work Environment:

• Most of the work will be sedentary in nature, although the intern may need to assist with moving multiple 50 pound boxes related to assigned projects. The room where records are worked on is clean, but many of the records may be dirty.
• Interns will be issued a NARA laptop for completing their work. Some remote work may be allowed, contingent upon supervisor approval.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or graduate student
  • Degree program in history, public history, museum studies, library science or a related field
• Qualifications:
  • Physically able to climb 15-foot ladders and work with boxes weighing up to 50 pounds
  • Can work independently and effectively
  • Can balance multiple deadline-driven tasks or projects simultaneously
  • Attention to detail

Schedule:​

• Internship Date Options:
  • 1/27/2025 through 4/18/2025
  • 2/3/2025 through 4/25/2025
• Weekly Schedule Options:
  • 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, Reference Services

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

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Archival Internship for the National Archives at Denver

3 internships available at the National Archives at Denver, CO (in Broomfield, CO) 

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Carry out preservation actions needed to preserve NARA's holdings and make them available for use
• Apply the principles of archival arrangement and description to increase discoverability and access
• Assist in internal digitization activities by conducting document preparation activities and digitizing records according to NARA policies, procedures and standards

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Interns will learn about archival preservation practices, describing complex records for discoverability and digitization utilizing several different imaging solutions, including a high-speed scanner and a camera set-up. They will be encouraged to identify individual records or series of records to apply principles of enhanced description to as well as learning how to promote those records, and their work through NARA’s social media platforms.

Work Environment:

• The work is mostly sedentary, yet interns must be physically able to perform the duties of this position. Physical demands may include climbing 15 foot ladders, moving heavy carts of records, and handling boxes of records typically weighing up to 50 pounds. The work may also demand considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, and lifting.
• Interns will have regular access to a shared NARA computer workstation.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former bachelor's degree student
  • Degree program in history, public history, museum studies, library science or a related field
• Qualifications:
  • Competent using computers for tasks including data entry, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations, Can work independently and effectively, Attention to detail, Strong writing ability

Schedule:

• Internship Date Options:
  • 1/27/2025 through 4/18/2025
  • 2/3/2025 through 4/25/2025
• Weekly Schedule: 11-19 hours per week

Area(s) of Interest: Archival Processing, Public History

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

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Digitization Internship for the National Archives at Riverside

4 internships available at the National Archives at Riverside, CA (in Perris, CA) 

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Prepare historical documents for archival imaging
• Create detailed file listings for records to be digitized
• Digitize records for catalog quality
• Create metadata corresponding to file listings and images for submission to the National Archives Catalog

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Participants will learn and develop skills in the basic preservation of archival records, basic processing/description and processing standards, and digitizing records at catalog quality.

Work Environment:

• The work setting will be a standard office environment.  There are no special work conditions or physical demands for the internship.
• Interns will have regular access to a shared NARA computer workstation.

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
  • Familiarity with or capability of using sophisticated scanning equipment
  • Can work independently and effectively
  • Can work collaboratively as part of a team

Schedule:

• Internship Date: 2/3/2025 through 4/25/2025
• Weekly Schedule: 10 hours per week

Area(s) of Interest: Digitizing Archival Materials

Archival Internship for the National Archives at San Francisco

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

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Assist with archival processing of records (including arrangement and description, rehousing and labeling, creating finding aids, etc.)
• 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:

• Interns will gain hands-on experience with archival standards and best practices while working with engaging materials and learning from qualified professional staff. They will get a behind-the-scenes look at the policies and procedures of the National Archives while contributing to the preservation of our national history. 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. Interns will have opportunities to expand and practice their communication and problem-solving skills.

Work Environment:

• This job is office and computer-based, but with physical demands including some ascending caster-equipped ladders 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.
• Interns will have regular access to a shared NARA computer workstation.

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:
  • 1/27/2025 through 4/18/2025
  • 2/3/2025 through 4/25/2025
  • Also flexible to fit the needs of students attending academic institutions on the quarter system
• Weekly Schedule Options:
  • 10 hours per week
  • 11-19 hours per week

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

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 social media content and  key message development

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:

• Work will be done primarily in an office setting with few physical demands. The intern will work independently and with colleagues as needed.
• Interns will be issued a NARA laptop for completing their work. Some remote work may be allowed, contingent upon supervisor approval.

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 Dates: 1/27/2025 through 4/18/2025
• 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: Communications, Editorial, External & Public Affairs, Social Media

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

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• 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.
• 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:

• Work will be done primarily in an office setting with few physical demands. The intern will work independently and with colleagues as needed.
• Interns will be issued a NARA laptop for completing their work. Some remote work may be allowed, contingent upon supervisor approval.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former bachelor's degree or graduate student
  • Degree program in history with an archival administration focus, library science, information science, information management, or related
• 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

Schedule:

• Internship Date Options:
  • 1/27/2025 through 4/18/2025
  • 2/3/2025 through 4/25/2025
• 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 letter of recommendation.

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Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Internship

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

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Conduct research for EEO program responsibilities
• Assist with processing EEO cases and requests
• Support best practice efforts for all EEO programs

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Full immersion into all EEO programs to learn processing timeframes
• Conduct research projects for the respective EEO programs to support being a Model EEO Program
• Participate in policy writing and administrative efforts to build partnerships and increase EEO support to field offices
• Trend and Barrier analysis support
• Develop foundational knowledge of anti-discrimination and anti-harassment statues

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.
• Interns will be issued a NARA laptop for completing their work. Some remote work may be allowed, contingent upon supervisor approval.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or graduate student
  • Degree programs in Business Administration, Business Management, Human Resources, or related
• Qualifications:
  • Research capability
  • Competent using computers for tasks including data entry, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations
  • Can work independently and effectively
  • Attention to detail

Schedule:

• Internship Date Options:
  • 1/27/2025 through 4/18/2025
  • 2/3/2025 through 4/25/2025
• Weekly Schedule Options:
  • 20-29 hours per week
  • 30 hours or more per week

Area(s) of Interest: Business (Accounting, Budget Analysis, and/or Financial Management), Communications, Education & Public Programs, Legal, Human Resources, Records Management, Special Events

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

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Law Clerk Internship for the Office of General Counsel

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

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Legal research and writing
• Assist with litigation

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Further develop legal research and writing skills
• Learn about administrative law
• Work with a variety of attorneys on a wide variety of projects

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.
• Interns will be issued a NARA laptop for completing their work. Some remote work may be allowed, contingent upon supervisor approval.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former graduate student
  • Current law student
• Qualifications:
  • Research capability
  • Can work independently and effectively
  • Can work collaboratively as part of a team
  • Strong writing ability
  • Attention to detail

Schedule:

• Internship Date Options:
  • 1/27/2025 through 4/18/2025
  • 2/3/2025 through 4/25/2025
• Weekly Schedule Options:
  • 11-19 hours per week
  • 20-29 hours per week
  • 30 hours or more per week

Area(s) of Interest: Legal

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

Power BI/Power Apps Development Internship

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

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Create Azure Power BI dashboards
• Create Power Apps dashboards

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Intern will learn Azure and Power apps tools

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.
• Interns will be issued a NARA laptop for completing their work. Some remote work may be allowed, contingent upon supervisor approval.

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 organizational skills

Schedule:

• Internship Dates: 2/3/2025 through 4/25/2025
• Weekly Schedule: 20-29 hours per week

Area(s) of Interest: Information Technology

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

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Records Management Internship for the Office of Presidential Libraries

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

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Develop an inventory of audiovisual holdings to assist in determining their disposition
• Physically prepare audiovisual holdings for transport or destruction based on their disposition
• Develop an inventory of temporary paper records
• Physically prepare temporary paper records for destruction

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Participants will learn important parts of the records management process for federal agencies by supporting the development of inventories for records of the Office of Presidential Libraries and physically preparing the records based on their disposition.

Work Environment:

• Participants' work setting will include work in both an office setting and archival stacks. Participants must be able to lift boxes of records weighing on average 25-30 pounds, up to 50 pounds.
• Interns will be issued a NARA laptop for completing their work. Some remote work may be allowed, contingent upon supervisor approval.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or graduate student
  • Degree program in history, library science, information science, information management, or related
• Qualifications:
  • Competent using computers for tasks including data entry, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations
  • Physically able to climb 15-foot ladders and work with boxes weighing up to 50 pounds
  • Can work independently and effectively
  • Can work collaboratively as part of a team

Schedule:

• Internship Dates: 2/3/2025 through 4/25/2025
• 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: Records Management

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Security Assistant Internship for the Archives II Building

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

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Intern will learn Key inventory for the Archives II facility. This will include data entry of Archives II Keys, setting up a Key control program, observing entry data for USAcess PIV (Personal Identity Verification card) enrollments, and observing Physical Security operations.

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Intern will learn the duties/tasks of Physical Security Specialists, work with Archives II Security Officers, and learn building key control systems.

Work Environment:

• Work setting will be both office and walking the building for key issues for NARA employees. Interns may be required to walk or stand for periods of time or to sit at a computer in the course of their work.
• Interns will have regular access to a shared NARA computer workstation.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or graduate student
  • Degree in Security, Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, or related
• Qualifications:
  • Competent using computers for tasks including data entry, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations
  • Can work independently and effectively
  • Attention to detail
  • Strong organizational skills

Schedule:

• Internship Date Options:
  • 1/27/2025 through 4/18/2025
  • 2/3/2025 through 4/25/2025
• Weekly Schedule: 10 hours per week

Area(s) of Interest: Business (Accounting, Budget Analysis, and/or Financial Management), Facility Operations & Logistics

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

Digitization Internship for the Senate, House of Representatives, and Center for Legislative Archives’ Records

1 internship available at the National Archives at Washington, DC 

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Prepare, digitize, and input accessioning data for U.S. Senate Committee Records
• Support Center for Legislative Archives staff in the digitization of select sets of U.S. Senate and House of Representatives records for inclusion in the National Archives Catalog
• Support Center for Legislative Archives staff in preparing and digitizing individual records for release to researchers and inclusion in the National Archives Catalog

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Interns will have an opportunity to learn and further develop hard and soft skills.  Interns will learn about the unique and historically significant records of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives while also gaining experience with all phases of the digitization process, including pulling records and preparing them for image capture, performing the image capture, and inputting the corresponding metadata into the holdings management system and other platforms. Interns will receive mentoring from the Center for Legislative Archives' Assistant Director and highly experienced Reference Archivists and gain experience working in a professional archival setting.

Work Environment:

• Interns will work under the supervision of the Center for Legislative Archives Assistant Director and Center for Legislative Archives Reference Archivists in an office setting.  Interns will periodically need to lift boxes of records up to 25 lbs.
• Interns will be issued a NARA laptop for completing their work. Some remote work may be allowed, contingent upon supervisor approval.

Education & Qualifications Requirements:

• Educational Level/Program:
  • Current or former bachelor's degree or graduate student
  • Degree program in history, public history, museum studies, political science, library science, or related
• Qualifications:
  • Competent using computers for tasks including data entry, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations
  • Familiarity with or capability of using sophisticated scanning equipment
  • Can work independently and effectively
  • Can work collaboratively as part of a team

Schedule:

• Internship Date Options:
  • 1/27/2025 through 4/18/2025
  • 2/3/2025 through 4/25/2025
• Weekly Schedule: 11-19 hours per week

Area(s) of Interest: Archival Processing, Digitizing Archival Materials, Information Technology

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