Applications for fall internships are now open! Please see below for position descriptions and application instructions. Applications are due July 4.
Internships at the NC Museum of History
Thank you for your interest in the museum’s internship program! Museum interns provide much-needed support and assistance with projects across multiple sections, including Curation, Collections, Education, Marketing, and more! Interns allow the museum to better connect with the community while students learn valuable behind-the-scenes skills in the process.
As the museum embarks on a multiyear renovation process, staff expect that interns will play a vital role in the research and development of exhibits and educational programming for the new museum. Interns also participate in enrichment excursions to other local museums, historic sites, and cultural institutions. They also can network with museum professionals in diverse roles.
Internships are posted regularly for the fall and spring semesters, as well as each summer. Summer internships generally start mid-May and conclude in August, but position length may vary depending on the needs of both the supervisor and the intern.
Please see below for current opportunities, eligibility requirements, and application instructions.
Only currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply for museum internship positions and interns must be currently enrolled while completing the internship.
Eligibility Requirements
Details on our program vary by semester, but please see below for some basic requirements applicable to most positions.
- Undergraduate applicants must have at least completed their first year of college before beginning an internship.
- Undergraduates must have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Graduate students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- The number of hours the intern is expected to work vary depending on the project and the requirements of the student's academic program. Depending on the specific position, internship hours may be completed by working virtually, on-site at the museum, or a combination of both.
- Internships at the North Carolina Museum of History are unpaid, volunteer positions.
Application Instructions
To be considered for an internship, please submit a completed application form, resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcripts from all colleges/universities attended to Internship Coordinator Kathleen Gleditsch at Kathleen.Gleditsch@dncr.nc.gov. Any additional materials required for an application to a specific position should also be emailed to Kathleen. Incomplete application packages will not be considered.
Curation Section
Exhibition Research and Content Development Internship
Overview
The Curation Section of the North Carolina Museum of History 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 forthcoming months/years of the museum’s closure, curators are working with outside design consultants on the renovation and reinterpretation of the museum’s permanent exhibition. The largest of those projects is the redevelopment of what was in the past called the Story of North Carolina, a chronological exhibition that covers more than 16,000 years of the state’s history, from 14,000 BCE to the present. This 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 Curation 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.
Projects
The intern will assist with projects such as:
- Primary and secondary research on specific periods, events, and moments in North Carolina history
- Identification of potential exhibit content including images, audio, video/film, data, maps, historical quotes, interviews, oral histories, and more
- Participation in weekly exhibit team meetings
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.
- The intern will report to a temporary office space while the museum is closed for renovation.
Time Commitment
This is a 20 hour per week, 6–8-week unpaid internship that will be a hybrid, primarily off-site position, after a period of in-person orientation at the temporary museum office location in Raleigh. Hours are flexible, although attendance at regular weekly team meetings is encouraged. Most meetings will be virtual.
Communications and Marketing Section
Social Media Intern
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 Social Media 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 across social media platforms. Interns will collaborate closely with marketing and social media specialists.
Projects
The Social Media Intern will assist with projects such as:
- Developing content for social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
- Assist with writing scripts, video outlines, and social media captions.
- Supporting the planning and execution of social campaigns.
- Assist with tracking and analyzing social media metrics.
- Participating in brainstorming sessions for creative outreach strategies.
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, archeology, 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
Time Commitment
This internship is in-person and on-site at the North Carolina Museum of History’s temporary office location. Hours are flexible on weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The schedule will be determined based on the intern’s availability and agreements with museum staff.
Additional Application Requirements**
Applicants must submit:
- Two to three samples of relevant work (social media content or video, blog posts, writing samples, etc.).
- Provide a personal statement detailing what you hope to gain from this internship experience (can be included as part of the cover letter).
**Please note: applicants for the Social Media Internship must also submit a completed application form, cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts from all institutions of higher education.
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 Marketing Intern will assist with projects such as:
- 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.
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.
- Be familiar with social media best practices.
- 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.
- The intern will report to a temporary office space while the museum is closed for renovation.
Time Commitment
This internship is in-person and on-site at the North Carolina Museum of History’s temporary office location. Hours are flexible on weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The schedule will be determined based on the intern’s availability and agreements with museum staff.
Additional Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- Two to three samples of relevant work (social media content, blog posts, writing samples, etc.).
- Provide a personal statement detailing what you hope to gain from this internship experience (can be included as part of the cover letter).
*Please note: applicants for the Marketing Internship must also submit a completed application form, cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts from all institutions of higher education.
Questions?
Contact Internship Coordinator Kathy Gleditsch at kathleen.gleditsch@dncr.nc.gov.