Undergraduate and Graduate Internships

Eligibility & requirements | Internship program cycle | Application process

Work in a museum. Build your resume. Network with public history professionals.

The Summer 2025 application closed. If you have any questions, please email internships@mnhs.org.

The Minnesota Historical Society's College Internship Program provides a unique opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to work in a cultural organization while strengthening professional development skills. All internships are paid.

Interns contribute to MNHS’s mission—“We serve all the people of Minnesota by creating powerful engagement with history to cultivate curiosity and foster a more inclusive, empathetic, and informed society.”—while pursuing projects that fit their professional goals. 

Internships are offered three times a year: fall (September-December), spring (January-May), and summer (June-August) in alignment with most academic calendars.

Not a history major? We welcome you, too! Internships are available for many majors.

Eligibility & requirements

Those enrolled in a degree seeking program, as well as recent graduates, can apply up to one year after graduation. Internships average 10-20 hours per week. We strive to be flexible while building your schedule; specific schedules are decided between interns and their supervisors. In-person and hybrid opportunities are available.

Internship Seminars
Interns are required to participate in three, in-person seminars as part of their internship experience. Interns explore professional development, learn how cultural organizations operate, and build a network of industry professionals.

Summer 2025 semester seminar dates

  • Thursday, July 17 from 3:30 - 5:30pm
  • Thursday, August 14 from 3:30 - 5:30pm
  • Final presentations: Thursday, August 28 from 11:00am to 1:00pm

Academic credit and learning plan
Academic credit is available if arranged through the school. Interns requesting academic credit must notify their intern supervisor of any evaluation procedures. If no specific format is provided, intern supervisors can use MNHS’ evaluation form.

Interns not requesting credit for their internships are required to develop a Learning Plan. Learning Plans are an outline and evaluation tool for interns, their supervisor, and the Internship Program of what you intend to learn and accomplish during your internship.

Internship program cycle

Summer 2025 (June - August)

  • Accepting Applications: March 3-23, 2025
  • Candidate Review and Interview Process: March 3 - April 11, 2025
  • New Intern Orientation: June 2, 2025
  • MNHS is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for visitors, staff, interns, and volunteers. Interns must complete a background check and references prior to orientation.

Application process

 You may apply for up to three internship positions per semester. Send the following materials to internships@mnhs.org:

  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • Any required submissions as detailed in the individual position description

After submitting application

1. Selected applicants will be invited to a virtual interview.
2. Supervisors will select candidates for second, virtual interviews. 
3. Offers are made. All candidates will be notified of their application status.

 

At MNHS, we don’t just accept difference--we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on diversity for the benefit of our volunteers, interns, employees, our products and services, and our community. The Minnesota Historical Society believes that an inclusive culture among our team members is critical to our success as a historical society, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The Minnesota Historical Society is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.