Smithsonian Associates Adult Education Programming and Special Events Virtual Intern

ABOUT SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES

Smithsonian Associates advances the Smithsonian Institution’s mission “to increase and diffuse knowledge” through life-enriching educational and cultural experiences inspired by the Smithsonian’s research and collections for DC-region students, families, and adults, and for learning communities nationwide.

INTERN DUTIES

Intern will assist with all aspects of Associates’ core programming, including:

• Research, booking, budgets, speaker selection, contract negotiation, space rental, catering, technology requirements, logistical set-up, and marketing

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

• Assist with staffing duties during some evening and weekend programs

• Assists the programming department with additional duties as assigned.

Students should consult with academic faculty to determine if this unpaid experience will earn credit.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

By working closely with the program coordinators, the intern will gain experience in all aspects of program and event production, including: budgeting, performance reporting, customer service, trouble-shooting/problem-solving, adapting to different situations, multi-tasking, creative thinking, researching, coordination at events, creating and maintaining inventories, editing promotional materials, communication, box office and house management, organization and time management, event management.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience and/or interest in educational public programming, museum programming, house management, arts management, and/or event planning

• Background or strong interest in culture, art, science and/or history or event planning required

• Ability to work quickly with attention to detail both independently and as a team

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint

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

TIME COMMITMENT

Hours flexible; 1 full semester

SCHEDULE

Monday to Friday, timing flexible

SUPERVISOR

Rebecca Roberts, Program Coordinator

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.

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