Internships at the NC Museum of History

Education Programs Internship

Overview

The Education Section at the North Carolina Museum of History engages visitors of all ages, allowing them to discover, learn, and connect with North Carolina history in meaningful ways. The Education Programs Intern will be supervised jointly by the Adult Education Programs Coordinator and the Head of Volunteer and Intern Services. The intern will assist with many aspects of educational programming while the museum prepares for a multi-year renovation, expected to begin in March 2025. The intern is also expected to work with staff members from all sections of the museum, including executive-level staff, when necessary.

The intern will gain valuable behind-the-scenes experience in assisting with the setup and implementation of virtual adult programs, in-person public programming at various off-site venues, and in-person docent programs. The intern will also assist with program research and development for different audiences. They will gain experience in many aspects of museum education and will be included in regular team meetings and museum functions.

Projects

The intern will assist with the following tasks:

• Scheduling Zoom Webinars and Meetings for upcoming meetings and programs
• Editing captions from previously recorded adult education programs using Rev.com
• Assisting the adult educator with virtual adult education programs, including serving as a co-host on Zoom platforms
• Writing program copy for future adult programs
• Assisting with setup and implementation of in-person docent programs
• Writing short historical articles for the docent newsletter
• Researching and developing ideas for new public programs be implemented during museum closure; potential audiences may include young adults and/or families
• Assisting with set-up and implementation of public programs in various off-site venues
• Inventorying and rehousing teaching collections
• Attending Education Section meetings
• Participating in excursions to other museums, historic sites, or cultural institutions as part of professional development and research for new public programs
• Other duties as assigned

Skills Needed

The intern must…

• Have excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Be able to work both collaboratively and independently
• Have strong computer skills; experience with Zoom and caption editing is preferred
• Have excellent visitor services skills and the ability to engage effectively with museum visitors of diverse backgrounds in various types of venues
• Have knowledge of/experience in public history, history, museum studies, anthropology, archaeology, art history, education, or related disciplines and want to gain hands-on experience in museum-related work

Time Commitment

This internship is hybrid with certain duties performed remotely while others will be carried out on-site at the museum staff’s off-site office location in Raleigh. While the work schedule is flexible dependent on the successful candidate’s academic requirements and availability, some evening and weekend availability is preferred. 

Curatorial Section Internships

The Curation Section is responsible primarily for the collection of artifacts, stewardship of community and artifact donor relationships, and development of exhibitions. The museum closed to the public in October 2024, and during the multi-year renovation process, curators are working with outside design consultants on the renovation and reinterpretation of the museum’s permanent exhibitions. The Curation Section is excited to announce two open internship opportunities for summer 2025 that will allow successful candidates to assist in the research and development of two new major exhibitions. Please read each description and indicate in your cover letter for which position(s) you would like to be considered.

Community Gallery Curation Internship

Overview

The Curation Section staff are seeking one intern to assist in the development of a new Community Gallery that will celebrate the vast tapestry of North Carolina communities. The intern will gain unique behind-the-scenes experience in basic curatorial practices and protocols. They will work with the museum’s collection while developing relationships with the curatorial team as well as other sections in the museum. The intern will work closely with the lead curator of the Community Gallery to research stories and identify related potential exhibit content. They will gain experience learning the process of exhibition development, become familiar with exhibit research skills, and identify powerful exhibit content, including objects, images, quotes, and audio-visual media. Most importantly, the Community Gallery Intern will learn how to work with communities to build trust, nurture relationships, and to form collaborative partnerships.

Projects

The intern will assist with the following tasks:

• Write interview summaries, abstracts, bios, and collection profiles
• Update and maintain contact list for community engagement efforts and help develop long-term strategy for continued engagement and relationship building
• Create and update a small database of statewide videographers, photographers, oral history projects, and community documentary projects
• Create and update small database with links for community newspapers, magazines, and relevant social media platform usage (WhatsAPP, X, Instagram, etc.)
• Assist with other projects as needed

Skills Needed

The intern must...

• Have excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Be proficient in historical research, including navigating primary and secondary sources
• Have demonstrated experience with navigating institutional archives
• Have experience or familiarity with public history, museum studies, archaeology, or a related field
• Be interested in learning about museum curation and exhibition development
• Be able to work well independently and collaborate as part of a team
• Be proficient in computer programs like Microsoft Word and Excel; experience with Re:discovery Proficio or another collections management database is a plus
• Have experience working with communities and interfacing with the public
• Have the ability to speak effectively to large and small groups of people
• Have strong time management and teamwork skills

Time Commitment

Hours are flexible on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. with most duties conducted remotely after a period of in-person orientation at the curatorial staff’s temporary office location in Raleigh. The schedule will be determined based on the intern's availability and agreements with museum staff.

Curatorial Section Internships

The Curation Section is responsible primarily for the collection of artifacts, stewardship of community and artifact donor relationships, and development of exhibitions. The museum closed to the public in October 2024, and during the multi-year renovation process, curators are working with outside design consultants on the renovation and reinterpretation of the museum’s permanent exhibitions. The Curation Section is excited to announce two open internship opportunities for summer 2025 that will allow successful candidates to assist in the research and development of two new major exhibitions. Please read each description and indicate in your cover letter for which position(s) you would like to be considered.

Chronological Exhibit Research and Content Development Internship

Overview

The Curation Section staff are seeking one intern to assist in the redevelopment of the museum’s largest permanent exhibit, formerly titled The Story of North Carolina, a chronological exhibit that covers more than 16,000 years of the state’s history, from 14,000 BCE to the 21st century. The new exhibit will include stories and time periods that have not been interpreted at length in the museum’s previous permanent exhibition, including the Civil Rights Movement period and key historical moments and events of the late-20th and 21st centuries, as well as many others in preceding eras. The intern will work closely with one of the lead curators of the chronological exhibition to research stories to highlight in the exhibit and identify related potential exhibit content. Interns will gain experience learning the process of exhibition development, becoming familiar with exhibit research skills, and identifying powerful exhibit content, including objects, images, quotes, and audio-visual media.

Projects

The intern will assist with the following tasks:

• Primary and secondary research on specific periods, events, and moments in North Carolina history
• Identification of potential exhibit content including objects, images, audio, video/film, data, maps, historical quotes, interviews, oral histories, and more
• Participation in weekly exhibit team meetings
• Object research on artifacts in the museum’s collections

Skills Needed

The intern must…

• Have excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Be proficient in historical research, including navigating primary and secondary sources
• Have demonstrated experience with navigating institutional archives
• Have experience or familiarity with public history, museum studies, archaeology, or a related field
• Be interested in learning about museum curation and exhibition development
• Be able to work well independently and collaborate as part of a team
• Be proficient in computer programs like Microsoft Word and Excel; experience with Re:discovery Proficio or another collections management database is a plus

Time Commitment

This is a 6-week internship with flexible start and end dates between May and August. The intern will work 20 hours per week, with most duties conducted remotely after a period of in-person orientation at the curatorial staff’s temporary office location in Raleigh. Hours are flexible, though attendance at regular weekly team meetings will be required. Most meetings will be virtual.

Marketing Internship

Overview

The Communications and Marketing section is responsible for the promotion, branding, and public engagement efforts of the North Carolina Museum of History. Our team works to share the museum's programs, exhibits, and events with diverse audiences through strategic campaigns, digital media, and public relations initiatives.

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Marketing Intern to assist the Communications and Marketing team. This role will support the promotion of museum programs and events, helping to ensure that our message reaches a broad and diverse audience. Interns will collaborate closely with marketing and social media specialists.

Projects

The intern will assist with the following tasks:

• Developing content for social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
• Writing press releases, blog posts, and email newsletters
• Tracking media coverage and maintaining press and media contact lists
• Supporting the planning and execution of marketing campaigns
• Conducting market research and analyzing audience engagement trends, including building a comprehensive database of community contacts across North Carolina
• Participating in brainstorming sessions for creative outreach strategies

Skills Needed

The intern must…

• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Be able to work collaboratively and independently in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrate strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Show interest in public history, museums, or cultural institutions and seek hands-on experience in marketing and communications

Time Commitment

A hybrid work structure is planned for this internship, with both remote work and some hours logged on-site at the museum’s temporary office location

Additional Application Requirements *

To be considered for this position, the application package must include…

1. Two to three samples of relevant work (social media content, blog posts, writing samples, etc.)
2. A personal statement detailing what you hope to gain from this internship experience. This statement may be included in the cover letter

*Applicants must also submit the standard internship application package (completed application form, resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcripts from all colleges/universities attended)