NOTE: The Lemelson Center Archival
Internship Program will remain active during the Museum's
renovation. We will accept applications for Summer 2008.
For further information please contact Alison Oswald at
oswalda@si.edu.
1. How many internships are awarded?
Typically
one internship is awarded per summer, but we have hosted
up to four in one summer.
2. How much time does the archival internship require?
The internship requires 40 hours per week for 10 weeks.
Internships must start after the first Monday in June and
be completed by September 1st. Start and end dates can be
negotiated. Candidates who take time off for personal reasons
are expected to make the time up.
3. Are there deadlines?
Yes. All application materials must be postmarked by
March 1st for consideration. An offer will be made during
the first week of April.
4. What supporting application materials are required?
Official academic transcripts (undergraduate and graduate),
two letters of recommendation, one copy of the completed
application form, and an essay discussing your interest
in the archival profession and invention and technology
records, and how this internship will benefit you are required.
Materials may be sent separately or in one packet.
5. Is there required graduate level course work?
Yes. Candidates must have completed some graduate course
work in archival, library, or information management, and/or
graduate course work in American history, American Studies,
Museum Studies, Public History, or another area that relates
to the history of invention and innovation in American society.
The review committee does look at undergraduate coursework.
6. Who can apply?
The internship is open to graduate students who seek a career
in the archival profession. Candidates must be enrolled
in an academic program or be able to provide proof of acceptance
in an academic program if selected. Recent graduates—within
6 months of graduation—may apply. United States citizenship
is not required, nonresident aliens must apply for the appropriate
U.S. visa if selected.
7. Can I earn academic credit?
Yes. Check with your academic advisor about the specifics
associated with your program. If selected, please notify
us of your interest in earning academic credit and we’ll
complete any necessary paperwork.
8. What type of skills will I learn?
This internship is a paraprofessional hands-on experience
that expects the candidate to determine the intellectual
and physical arrangement of a pre-selected collection, and
to create a finding aid in the DACs format. Additionally,
the intern will learn to build custom boxes, sink mats,
phase boxes, and other custom enclosures as needed.
9. Are there other requirements?
Yes. If selected, interns must attend all Archives Center
staff meetings to learn more about how an archives is managed;
participate in scheduled fieldtrips to other archival repositories;
and make two presentations about their work.
10. Is there a stipend?
Yes. The internship carries a stipend of $4,000 plus a travel
allowance. The travel allowance is calculated based on the
candidate's geographical location and therefore varies.
Travel allowances are not awarded to candidates in the Washington,
D.C. metropolitan area. The stipend is subject to tax. Benefits
and housing are not included.
11. Where can I find housing?
Locating housing in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area
is challenging. If selected, the candidate should seek housing
as soon as possible. For further information, visit http://americanhistory.si.edu/getinvolved/housing.cfm
12. How can I get more information?
Contact:
Alison
L. Oswald, Archivist
National Museum of American History
Smithsonian Institution
Archives Center, Room 1100, MRC 601
P.O. Box 37012
Washington, DC 20013-7012
Phone (202) 633-3726
Fax (202) 786-2453
Email oswalda@si.edu
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