Internships - Nantucket Historical Association

The Nantucket Historical Association’s internship program allows a dynamic group of students with varied interests, strengths, and goals to immerse themselves in an outstanding educational and professional environment. Interns learn and work directly with professionals in a team-based, collaborative environment.

Internships and Semester-Long Learning

In addition to the long-established and very successful summer intern program, the NHA is now adding semester-long learning internships to our education programs. This initiative is important because it gives preference to students coming on island from Labor Day through Memorial Day, rather than during the congested summer months when accommodations are hard to come by. The objective is to identify meaningful work that matches students’ interests and passions that then creates a force-multiplier effect. Please be aware of the application deadlines for internships to which you are applying.

On-island and class-based learning with select colleges is building strong momentum. Students and faculty from Boston University, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, the New York School of Interior Design, Princeton University, Roger Williams University, Salve Regina University, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute have signed on thus far in 2018. Browse the NHA Internships and Collaboration Opportunities (PDF) for our latest projects of interest.

Mary Lacoursiere
The Peter M. and Bonnie J. Sacerdote Chair of Education and Community Relations
Nantucket Historical Association
PO Box 1016
Nantucket, MA 02554
mary@nha.org

Archives

The Nantucket Historical Association’s Research Library is offering two internships during summer 2020. Individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities are encouraged to apply.

Requirements for all internships: Enrollment in or graduation from an ALA-accredited master’s program; completed coursework in archival theory and practice or relevant experience with archival materials; solid time management skills with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines; excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to work independently, to seek clarification, and to offer suggestions when needed; strong research skills and an attention to detail.

Please send a cover letter that includes a description of how this internship aligns with your career goals, a resume, and two references to aholmes@nha.org. Deadline for applications is February 3.

Archives Intern:

Working closely with the Associate Director, the archives intern participates in all aspects of archives management and gains hands-on experience working with manuscript, photographic, and audiovisual collections. They conduct specific processing and cataloging projects, document and refine existing procedures, and assist with collection development activities. The intern also participates in the Research Library’s reference desk schedule, develops collections-focused posts for social media, and compiles processing and reference statistics. Based on the intern’s interests, they may also plan and propose outreach projects, contribute to ongoing collections assessment work, or catalog print materials.

Requirements: Completed coursework in archival theory and practice or relevant experience with archival materials; solid time management skills with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines; excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to work independently, to seek clarification, and to offer suggestions when needed; strong research skills and an attention to detail.

Skills/Knowledge desired: Basic understanding of archival appraisal, arrangement, description, and preservation; familiarity with DACS and MPLP methodology; experience with handling rare/fragile materials; strong research and organizational skills.

Preference for this internship is given to recent graduates from ALA-accredited library science programs and then to currently enrolled graduate students.

The archives internship is ten weeks with a June 1 start date, though there is some room for flexibility. The intern works 37.5 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; they are paid $12.50 per hour on a bi-weekly basis. Shared intern housing is available, and interns are eligible for a public transit commuter pass.

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Digitization and Metadata Intern:

Working closely with the NHA’s digitization archivist, the digitization and metadata intern participates in all stages of the digitization workflow, including selection of materials, image capture, and metadata creation. They work with the digitization archivist to develop digitization priorities, with a focus on bound materials and photographs, and research intellectual property issues related to collection materials as needed. Working with staff and fellow interns, they respond to researcher-based reproduction requests, creating invoices, scanning materials, and delivering files. The digitization and metadata intern also completes ongoing metadata cleanup and verification as part of the organization’s collections management software migration. They explore opportunities to promote the library’s collection through social media posts, the NHA member newsletter, and other applicable outlets.

Requirements: Completed coursework in archival theory and practice or relevant experience with archival materials; solid time management skills with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines; excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to work independently, to seek clarification, and to offer suggestions when needed; strong research skills and an attention to detail.

Skills/Knowledge desired: Familiar with handwritten documents; familiar with digital imaging and image file types; comfortable with learning new technology and problem solving; familiar with descriptive standards and metadata schemas.

This internship is open to current graduate students in an ALA-accredited library science program for course credit.

The digitization and metadata internship is ten weeks with a June 1 start date, though there is some room for flexibility. Interns work 37.5 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The intern will receive a $250 weekly stipend, shared intern housing, and a public transit commuter pass.
Development/Events

Our summer 2019 internship application has now closed. Please check back in June for information on our fall internship opportunities.
Education/Interpretation

The Nantucket Historical Association’s Education and Interpretation Departments are offering six internships for summer 2020. Individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities are encouraged to apply.

Please send a cover letter that includes a description of how this internship aligns with your career goals, a resume, and two references to kwietzel@nha.org for Education, and operations@nha.org for Interpretation. Deadline for applications is March 31.

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Education Department Intern:

Seeking two friendly, motivated, and hardworking Education Department team members for Summer 2020. Responsibilities include the facilitation of family and group visits, assisting camp and summer programs, and providing support at NHA events. Daily tasks will include creating and organizing educational materials, staffing the Discovery Center during museum open hours, and engaging with the public in hands-on learning activities. Our interns will either work to develop improved lesson plans for our new and improved Artif-Ack cart and space, or begin the development of accessibility focused learning programs and activities for Nantucket community members.

Requirements: Enrollment or graduation from an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program; completed coursework in education, public history, or museum studies; research experience in either an educational or professional context; strong writing and interpersonal communication skills; interest in working with the public; ability to work independently; positive and collaborative attitude.

Skills desired: Class work and/or professional experience in education or museum studies; ability to multitask; strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills; experience working with teachers and students in non-traditional educational settings; strong organizational skills; Spanish speaker.

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Interpretive Department Interns:

Requirements:

Undergraduate students from any two- or four-year college or university and graduate students who have completed their first year in a M.A. program are eligible to apply. A focus in history, museum studies or theater is helpful by not required. Excellent verbal skills and interpersonal communication skills are required.

Scope of Work:

The NHA has a campus that includes the Whaling Museum and six historic properties. Interns will be interpreting one or more of the properties, giving guided tours and caring for our collection of artifacts. Qualified candidates will work with the Visitor Operations Department to learn skills in the following areas: presenting engaging interpretive programs to visitors, providing experience in visitor engagement, learning to problem solve and working as a collaborative team.

Timing:

The summer Visitor Operations internship is twelve weeks with a June 1 start date. The fall Visitor Operations internship is seven weeks with an August 10 start date.

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Education and Interpretation summer internships are ten weeks with a June 1 start date, though there is some room for flexibility. Interns work 37.5 hours per week, 9 a.m.–5 p.m with specific days TBD. Interns seeking college credit will receive a stipend of $2,500 with free housing. Interns not seeking college credit will receive $12.5/hour, while paying $100/month for shared intern housing. All interns will receive a public transit commuter pass.