Become a Smithsonian intern
September 16, 2013
Internship opportunities are available with the UA-Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center.
The University of Alaska Foundation and Smithsonian Institution are accepting applications
from University of Alaska undergraduate and graduate students for internship positions
at the Smithsonian's Arctic Studies Center at the Anchorage Museum.
Opportunities for spring 2014:
- Public programming intern: Intern will assist SASC staff to organize and present public programs, gallery presentations
and artist events.
Duties: Research and preparation of background cultural information; attending/assisting at events; recording, logging, transcribing and editing discussions; preparing text and images for the Sharing Knowledge website and Living Our Cultures interactive exhibition; creating online podcasts.
Selection criteria: Advanced undergraduate or graduate student. Experience and coursework in anthropology and indigenous cultures required. Experience working with digital media required. - Archaeological field & lab intern: Intern will work with SASC Director Aron Crowell to conduct archaeological and oral
historical fieldwork for coastal southern Alaska.
Duties: Archaeological lab research, artifact cataloging and creation of maps, including GIS models.
Selection criteria: Advanced undergraduate or graduate student in anthropology; previous field experience and GIS or Surfer maps program experience preferred. - Documentary films intern: Intern will work with SASC staff to produce short topical video documentaries and
language education films.
Duties: Participating in design, set-up, filming, editing and production of finished films documenting cultural and linguistic workshop, consultations with elders, artist events, and other research and public programs at the SASC; assisting in film and archival photo research.
Selection criteria: Graduate student. Video production and editing experience required. Proficiency in Final Cut Pro required. Experience and coursework in anthropology and Indigenous cultures preferred. - Education intern: Intern will work with SASC and Anchorage Museum staff to create educational materials
and programming for the Living Our Cultures exhibition.
Duties: Participation in development meetings; developing and producing gallery activities; conduction evaluations.
Selection criteria: Advanced undergraduate or graduate student. Experience and coursework in education and Indigenous cultures required. Experience working with digital media required.
Application process
Semester internships will be ten weeks in duration, with a commitment of sixteen hours per week during the semester. A stipend of $12.50 per hour is offered for the documentary films intern and education intern, with a maximum stipend $2,000. The stipend will be paid at the end of the internship upon successful completion. Course credits may be arranged by the student through his or her individual department as appropriate but are not included in the internship offer. By Oct. 1, email Dawn Biddison at BiddisonD@si.edu the following:
- a CV that includes relevant coursework and experience and what computer programs you have experience using;
- a cover letter stating the internship, position type and dates for which you are applying.
For further information, contact Dawn, Assistant Curator, Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center Alaska Office, 625 C Street, Anchorage, AK 99501, or via email at BiddisonD@si.edu.