Internships
The Society offers a limited number of internships to advanced undergraduate and graduate students interested in arranging work experience for academic credit. Most internships at the Minnesota Historical Society are unpaid.
Learning Agreement
Internships at the Minnesota Historical Society are based on learning objectives defined by the intern, the intern's faculty adviser, and the Society’s internship supervisor. The student and site supervisor carefully plan a project that will be mutually beneficial and that will lead to the development of practical skills contributing to the student's professional training. The learning objectives will serve as a basis for evaluation and should describe in detail the internship project and define the signers' mutual responsibilities, the duration of the internship, arrangement for academic credit, and the evaluation procedure.
Evaluation
The intern and intern supervisor will each write a final evaluation of the internship, and submit copies to the sponsoring academic institution and the appropriate division head at the Society. Interns are expected to provide the Society's intern supervisor with any evaluation procedures required by their schools. In cases where no specific format is provided by the academic institutions, intern supervisors may use their own format.
Credits/Grades
All undergraduate students seeking internships at the Minnesota Historical Society are required to register for internship credits at their respective institutions in order to be considered for admission to the Society’s internship program. While the Society will provide adequate evaluations for every intern, the prospective interns are reminded that academic institutions are the sole determiners of the students' grades/credits. Generally, Society supervisors will not grade students on their internships; unless permitted to or required to give grades, Society intern supervisors will provide only evaluations and recommendations. Students seeking internships at the Society must ensure that all internship requirements at their schools are properly followed in order to receive credits for their work. The word credit in this case applies to any numerical factors or grades recognized by the sponsoring school or any type of special arrangements that the school acknowledges for this purpose. Such factors as community service for graduation requirements or an internship at an institution providing hands-on experience, and the like, will adequately serve the Society's definition of the term credit.
Time Requirement
While an intern at the Society is normally expected to commit from 4 to 40 hours
weekly, the total per week is negotiable. In necessary cases, the duration
of the internship may be altered to suit the needs of the intern. In addition,
while alternative schedules may be arranged with departmental discretion and
possibly with intern preferences, interns are generally expected to complete
their work only during weekday hours (7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). With the exception
of internships at some of the historic sites, weekend and evening schedules
may be observed only if the intern supervisor finds it appropriate for an intern
to work during such hours.
Background Check
The Society is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for visitors, staff, interns and volunteers. Consequently, interns are required to pass a background check as a condition of placement.
Internship Opportunities
Internships can be arranged in the departments and programs described below and will be designated to match the program needs of the department with the interests of the student:
- Archaeology
The Archaeology Department conducts research on a broad range of cultural and heritage resources throughout the state. Opportunities exist to work with an archaeologist on long and term projects to conduct field and/or laboratory research, computer analysis, collections research, site preservation, public interpretation, and/or historic research. Applicants should be advanced undergraduate or graduate students with a background in anthropology, archaeology, American studies, history, or related fields.
Contact: Pat Emerson, 612-725-2410 patricia.emerson@mnhs.org - Collections
The Collections Department manages the Society's manuscripts and government records, artifacts, art, publications, sound and visual collections. Internship opportunities are sometimes available in any number of these collecting areas. Internships may focus on collections acquisition and appraisal, processing, care and management, technology and web development, research or documentation.
Contact: Lori Williamson, 651-259-3252, lori.williamson@mnhs.org - Conservation
An internship can be arranged that relates to the student’s academic major or relevant experience. Opportunities exist in the conversation of objects, textiles, books, and paper.
Contact: Sherelyn Ogden, 651-259-3380, sherelyn.ogden@mnhs.org - Historic Sites
This department offers a wide variety of internship opportunities in the development, operation, and interpretation of historic sites administered by the Society. Students may gain experience in research, interpretation, or collections management. They may perform historical research in areas important to the interpretation of historic sites. They may develop interpretive training materials; plan, develop, and implement public programs; or gain experience in site interpretation. Students may also clean, sort, and catalog artifacts, or assist with some restoration projects. Other projects may be arranged in cooperation with Historic Sites Department staff or with the manager of a particular site.
Contact: Jim Mattson, 651-259-3473, jim.mattson@mnhs.org - Museum Education
The Minnesota History Center Museum creates and promotes learning experiences in history and related fields. The Museum Programs department offers regular summer internships related to school programs and on-going public programs internships. Intern opportunities available outside summer months will vary based on staff needs and on student time, interests and qualifications. Upper-level college (sophomore year completed) and graduate students with a background in American history, humanities, education, public administration, or related fields would be best suited for internships in this department. All internships are unpaid and may be arranged for college credit. Non-credit internships may be available for qualified candidates. Application deadline: April 30, 2009. Questions regarding museum education internships may be directed to Danielle Dart, 651-259-3419 or danielle.dart@mnhs.org
Internship Position Descriptions. - Oral History
Internships in oral history provide opportunities to participate in research for oral history projects; in identification and contact of potential narrators; in the transcription, editing, and preparation of oral history interviews; and in related aspects of oral history program management. Recent projects at the Society include those on environmental issues, agriculture and rural life, and the resort industry.
Contact: James Fogerty, 651-259-3243, james.fogerty@mnhs.org - Publications
Specialized internships may be arranged with the Minnesota Historical Society Press. Prospective interns should have experience in research, editing, or marketing and submit a cover letter, resume, and samples of their work by February 1 of each year. Note: Due to pending state budget cuts, the internships offered in this department have been suspended through summer 2009. Contact: Pamela J. McClanahan, 345 Kellogg Blvd W, St. Paul, MN 55102, 651-259-3215, pamela.mcclanahan@mnhs.org - Reference Services
Specialized internships may be arranged with the Reference Department. Applicants should submit a résumé and cover letter. Students interested in archives or libraries are especially encouraged to apply.
Contact: Alison Purgiel, 651-259-3313, alison.purgiel@mnhs.org
Applying for an Internship
- Allow two to three months to provide time for project development and to consult with academic advisers.
- Decide which of the Society’s programs interest you and get in touch with the contact person.
- Work with the contact person and your faculty advisor to plan your internship.
- Usually the Society’s contact person will ask you to complete an application. If you do not have a copy of the application, the contact person may send you one.
- Once your application has been received, the contact person will notify you regarding an interview. Usually the intern supervisor will interview the student candidate in person or by telephone prior to acceptance into the internship program.
- The learning objective(s) of your internship must be put into a written internship agreement which is signed by you, your faculty sponsor, the Society's department head, and your internship supervisor at the Minnesota Historical Society.
