Internships
“It is an experience I would have again many more times. It was rich, I learned a lot, and it was fun. It helped me exploit my skills and learn so many more that I can now apply in my professional life. I can assure my next academic step is entirely inspired by the experience I had interning for NMAAHC.”
Susana T.Center for the Study of Global Slavery Intern 2020
Internships
The mission of the National Museum of African American History and Culture Internship Program is to provide equitable and meaningful temporary workplace-based learning experiences guided by staff mentors across a broad range of museum career fields to support the academic and professional goals of future museum leaders and advocates.
Internships at the National Museum of African American History and Culture offer undergraduate and graduate students, recent graduates and career changers opportunities to work closely with professionals and scholars in the museum field. The museum provides a dynamic learning environment and access to supportive mentors that help interns reach their educational and professional goals. Interns can gain practical museum skills and program development experience in a variety of traditional and non-traditional museum careers.
The museum offers internships in the following areas:
- Office of Advancement (Fundraising, Donor Relations, Annual Giving)
- Office of Curatorial Affairs (Curatorial, Collections, Archives, Digitization)
- Office of the Deputy Director (Education, Publications)
- Office of Digital Strategy and Engagement (Searchable Museum, Oral History)
- Office of the Director
- Office of External Affairs (Marketing and Communications, Public Programs, Special Events, Visitor Services)
- Office of Operations (Finance, Facilities Planning & Business Programs, Human Resources, Information Technology)
- Office of Project Management and Planning (Project Management, Exhibition Design, Design & Production)
- Office of Strategic Partnerships
“I would describe my internship at NMAAHC as life-changing. The skills that I learned during my time at NMAAHC applies to my current job and future opportunities.”
Paris Y.Chesapeake Heartland Intern 2018
Internships Across Smithsonian
Smithsonian Internships are workplace-based guided learning opportunities that provide participants with hands-on experience in a wide range of fields.
I would rate the internship program a 9/10. Even though it was a virtual internship, I still felt that the experience was robust, challenging, and incredibly fun. Haleigh Q. African American Popular Culture Curatorial Intern 2021
Robert F. Smith Internships at the Museum
Robert F. Smith Interns are mentored in the identifying, documenting, curating, and digitizing treasured artifacts that reflect African American history and culture.