The Michigan State University Museum announces the availability of a paid internship through the Smithsonian Affiliations Intern Program (SAIP). While the deadline for applications is very short, this is an incredible opportunity for an student interested in a museum career!
Description of program...
Founded in 2001, the Smithsonian Affiliations Intern Partnership Program provides students in Affiliates' communities with the opportunity to gain practical skills and experience in the museum field.
The program is open to college and graduate students whose academic backgrounds and career aspirations lie in the museum field. Through a competitive application process, candidates first submit their application materials to their local Affiliate institution--in this case Michigan State University Museum--for pre-approval. From these candidates, the year's Intern Partners are selected to come to the Smithsonian to work with Smithsonian staff in subject areas or on projects that complement an Affiliate's own endeavors.
Intern Partners typically work full-time (40 hours per week) at the Smithsonian for ten weeks during the summer months. At the end of the summer, Intern Partners return to school but continue their projects and enhance their experience by interning 12-15 hours per week for up to four months (i.e. the fall academic term) at the local Affiliate institution (Michigan State University Museum). Intern Partners frequently develop lifelong friendships and a series of professional contacts. The structured, supervised setting of an Intern Partnership promotes intellectual and professional growth while mutually benefiting the student, the Smithsonian and the Affiliate institution.
Interns receive a stipend of $4,000. Half of the stipend is paid for by Smithsonian Affiliations and the other half is provided by the Affiliate/Michigan State University Museum. John and Liz Schweitzer have, once again, generously underwritten the MSU Museum's requisitie contribution.
Applications must be pre-approved by Michigan State University Museum. Applicants must submit completed applications to the MSU Museum by January 1 in order for the MSU Museum to complete its portion and submit the entire package to the Smithsonian by a January 15 deadline. The MSU Museum and Smithsonian deadline is strictly enforced. Applications postmarked on or before the deadline that are not received prior to the deadline may be disqualified. The Smithsonian cannot be responsible for lost, late, or misdirected mail.
Applicants must submit to the MSU Museum a COMPLETE package including:
1. A completed Smithsonian Affiliations Intern Partnership application form (available from macdowel@msu.edu);
2. A current curriculum vitae or résumé on letter-sized, white paper;
3. Academic transcripts (this can take a few days to obtain from the Registrar's office so be sure to process your transcript request ASAP);
4. Three letters of recommendation from the applicant's past or current educators or employers, the Affiliate organization, etc. [NOTE: The letters cannot be from family members. Letters might be written by a teacher or professor, an employer, a staff member at your museum, an athletic coach, a clergyperson, et cetera. It is important to choose people to write letters or recommendation who know the candidate well, who are familiar with the candidate's academic and professional goals, and who can give details about the candidate's disposition, aptitude, level of professionalism, and personal or academic achievements that reflect well on the candidate.]
5. An essay-three to four pages in length-outlining the following:
* How the applicant's academic and non-academic experiences-past and current-relate to his/her career goals;
* How the Intern Partnership will help the Affiliate institution as well as enhance the Affiliate institution's relationship with the Smithsonian; and
* How the Intern Partnership will further the applicant's academic or professional goals.
NOTE: A potential intern must now successfully pass a background check and be fingerprinted prior to final acceptance as a Smithsonian intern. Candidates who do not wish to submit to a background check and/or fingerprinting should not apply.
Projects may be in a variety of museum areas, including research, exhibition development, public programming and administration. Projects typically address a general topic or discipline that will deepen an Intern Partner's understanding of museology and allow him/her to develop new skills or solve challenges related to his/her academic objectives. Projects should support ongoing initiatives at the MSU Museum and at the Smithsonian.
Interns will be notified April 2010 of acceptance
Period of internship at the Smithsonian: June - August, 2010
Period of internship at the MSU Museum: Mandatory August 9-15 plus 12-15 hours per week for up to 3.5 months
The MSU Museum or the Smithsonian do not provide housing for interns, nor is there a specific housing office at the Smithsonian. Intern Partners are responsible for their own living arrangements during their time at the Smithsonian and at the MSU Museum. In D.C., most interns rent apartments or live with friends or family in the area. Many Intern Partners additionally find temporary housing on Washington D.C.'s college campuses or in youth hostels.
Throughout their stay in D.C., Intern Partners are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of summer enrichment activities. These may include a visit to the U.S. Capitol, Smithsonian-sponsored social events-brown bag lunches, ice cream socials and after-work softball games-networking opportunities, seminars and behind-the-scenes tours. Smithsonian Affiliations also invites Intern Partners to attend sessions of the annual Smithsonian Affiliations National Conference each summer and holds a special awards ceremony and reception for Intern Partners and their Smithsonian mentors.
Museum studies students interested in applying for this opportunity should immediately contact Dr. Marsha MacDowell (macdowel@msu.edu ) to obtain application form and to discuss possible project.
