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Note: Applications submitted through Handshake will not be reviewed. All applications have to be sent through Smithsonian’s platform.

Register for the applicant webinar on December 18 at 2 p.m. EST for an overview of the program and step-by-step application instructions.

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Chicago History Museum’s mission – to share Chicago’s stories, serving as a hub of scholarship and learning, inspiration, and civic engagement—is the foundation of the Museum’s programs and events, exhibitions, educational initiatives, publications, and collecting activities that touch the lives of all Chicagoans and help them make meaningful and personal connections to history.

Position Description: 

This internship offers the opportunity to continue improving access to and visibility of an important set of North American enslaved people papers that have largely not been digitized, shared, or even digitally described until quite recently. The intern will assess previously digitized material (the bulk of enslaved people-related collections); select items from larger collections for digitization and shadow this digitization workflow; learn how to research genealogical context; add historical context to existing collection descriptions; add selected items to CONTENTdm to test public access and text transcription; submit batches to collaborative external databases (for example, enslaved.org) to contribute the digitized collection items for increased discoverability; assist with launching publicly accessible batch via CHM’s platforms, and assist with promotion and discovery of these materials by writing a blog post and/or creating a curated digital exhibit showcasing their work.

The intern will work as an integral part of the archives team not just to enhance and publicize the collection, but also to learn about and be involved in how collections are acquired, processed, and documented by the Museum. In addition to archives staff, the intern will collaborate with other departments to evaluate, enhance, provide access to, and publicize the collection. Through the processing and digital curation aspects of this project, they will develop their evaluation and appraisal skills and judgment and contribute to the Museum’s larger goal of telling Chicago’s stories through diverse and inclusive collections. 

Sample of Intern Duties:

  • Survey enslaved people’s documents that are already digitized (CHM has previously digitized the known documents prior to the start of the internship).
  • Curate batch of items to add to a specific institutional CONTENTdm collection.
  • Attend training and continue to enhance institutional procedures for genealogical and historical context research.
  • Add enhanced historical information to existing collection metadata.
  • Execute transcription workflow for selected batch.
  • Write blog posts.
  • Create and complete either a Google Arts and Culture, CONTENTdm, or the Digital Chicago site based on the enslaved people documents and related collections.
  • Prepare submission of documents to additional public research databases.
  • Work collaboratively with CHM staff to launch public batch of digitized and transcribed documents.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand how to work with standard archival description formats and tools to identify and research collections.
  • Increased analytical, writing, research, and digital curation skills.
  • Improved communication, collaboration, and other professional skills.
  • Technological evaluation skills, including testing workflows and systems.
  • Project management skills, including setting and meeting goals.
  • Know how to consult and understand MARC records, collection assessment reports, and other common custodial documentation.
  • Expertise in identifying and selecting good candidates for digitization.
  • Understanding of digitizing workflow and best practices.
  • Understand metadata standards and best practices.
  • Know how to write effectively for a public audience.
  • Technical expertise with the CONTENTdm interface and knowledge of best practices and principles for online content display and management.
  • Technical expertise with the Google interface and knowledge of best practices and principles for online exhibits through tasks that comprise the creation of the Google suite. 

Prerequisites: 

  • Demonstrated interest in African American history and culture.
  • Prior experience in digitization is not required.

Required documents for all positions include:

  • Internship program application form 
  • Resume
  • Academic transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable)
  • Personal essay or cover letter (use this to tell us how the internship will advance your academic/career goals)
  • Answers to Supplementary Questions, submitted in one document (250-500 words for each answer). Applicants may use this document as a template.
  • 2 letters of reference

Please visit Smithsonian’s platform for all required documents and to officially apply.

Work Environment: The Chicago History Museum is a highly collaborative organization and encourages staff and interns to contribute to and promote a positive culture by demonstrating the following values in their interactions with others and through the products developed and services delivered: discovery, creativity, empathy, authenticity, integrity, service, and collaboration. Successful candidates will be communicative, engaged, embrace uncertainty, be willing to ask questions, and have an aptitude for exploring and developing with their technological skills.

Tentative Schedule: Anticipated start date late May to early June 2024.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements: Interns who will be regularly onsite need to be fully vaccinated prior to their start date. Individuals can seek an exemption from this requirement for medical or religious reasons.

Eligibility: 

  • Undergraduate students (must have completed at least one year of study)
  • Graduate students
  • Recent graduates (up to 2 years out of school)
  • Career-changers in the cultural field less than 2 years
  • Applications from individuals who have had prior internships or fellowships with any unit of the Smithsonian Institution will not be considered. 
  • Strongest consideration will be given to applicants with no more than 1-2 prior related work experiences.

Must be a United States citizen. Applicants must agree to submit to a background screening.

Compensation: $850/week

Intern must coordinate their own housing.