Smithsonian Associates Special Events Intern (Summer 2020)

ABOUT SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES

For more than 50 years, Smithsonian Associates—the largest museum-based education program in the world—has produced vibrant educational and cultural programming that brings the Smithsonian to life. Inspired by the Smithsonian’s research, collections, and exhibitions, each year nearly 1,000 public programs spark creativity and excite learning in people of all ages.

INTERN DUTIES

Promotional and programmatic support for the large scale public events, with a special focus on after-hours, Smithsonian-wide programs for young professionals. The intern will assist with general event planning as well as social media outreach. Tasks include:

• Maintaining, enhancing, & providing content for social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram

• Researching similar events in DC and beyond and suggesting best practices

• Logistical planning, including communicating with vendors, volunteers, partners, artists and performers; ordering supplies; and attending planning meetings and discussions

• Event implementation, including greeting the general public and answering questions; helping with set-up and clean-up; and supporting vendors, partners, artists and performers by addressing equipment, technical, and other needs

• Assists the programming department with additional duties as assigned.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Apply internet research skills and gain experience in social media marketing

• Develop experience in event planning and production

• Improve writing skills through a variety of communication mediums (formal correspondence, marketing materials, web content)

• Expand professional network in producing events

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to work efficiently with attention to detail

• Familiarity with Microsoft Word & Microsoft Excel

• Internet research skills, including social media and networking sites

• Knowledge of and interest in culture, art, science and/or history and programming in a museum setting

• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills

• Ability to creatively solve problems as they arise and work with loose supervision

• Must be able to interact with different types of people while maintaining a professional demeanor.

TIME COMMITMENT

25 hours/week; one full semester

SCHEDULE

Monday to Friday, 10:00 am to 3-4:00 pm, plus 3-5 evening events throughout the semester

SUPERVISOR

Lauren Rosenberg and Rebecca Roberts, Program Coordinators

COMPENSATION

All Associates internships are unpaid and housing is not provided. College credit may be granted, but must be coordinated in advance with the intern's university/college. This internship does provide a stipend of $325 per week in additional to a $500 stipend to offset transportation costs. Additional stipends may be available for interns in need whose complete applications are submitted on time and who are accepted into the program. Internship stipends issued by the Smithsonian are not considered salary or meant as compensation, but are awarded to help defray living expenses for an intern during the term of their appointment.

LOCATION

S. Dillon Ripley Center, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC  

REQUESTED DOCUMENTS

Prospective interns are required to submit the following:

1. Application for Smithsonian Institute Internships

2. Two letters of recommendation (usually from professors)

3. Recent writing sample (usually a paper written for school and at least two pages)

4. Most recent transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable)

5. Resume

Interns at the Smithsonian are required to undergo a security background investigation and fingerprinting through the Office of Protection Services before they are accepted into an internship.

SEASONS

• Winter/Spring: January to May

• Summer: June to August

• Fall: September to December

APPLICATION DEADLINES

To be considered in the first round of applications, please submit your materials by the following dates:

• Winter/Spring Positions: October 1

• Summer Positions: February 1

• Fall Positions: July 1

Applications received after these dates will still be considered on an as-needed basis.

SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES WEBSITE

Intern positions at Smithsonian Associates are available year-round. For more information go to https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/internships/start.aspx

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT

Ms. Heather Jaran

Intern Coordinator

PO Box 23293

Washington DC 20026-3293

Phone: 202-633-8623

TSAInternships@si.edu