Smithsonian Internship

Manassas 1861

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I've seen the idea of working as an intern for the smithsonian american history musuem in DC, specifically the armed forces section. I'm in 10th grade and hate half the stuff my school tries to teach me. The only thing that interests me is US military history. Uniforms, Accoutrements, flags, etc. Nothing else really interests me. If there's anybody who's worked at the smithsonian, what are the requirements to work with the military section? and could it lead to a job their?
 
I've seen the idea of working as an intern for the smithsonian american history musuem in DC, specifically the armed forces section. I'm in 10th grade and hate half the stuff my school tries to teach me. The only thing that interests me is US military history. Uniforms, Accoutrements, flags, etc. Nothing else really interests me. If there's anybody who's worked at the smithsonian, what are the requirements to work with the military section? and could it lead to a job their?

You should contact them and inquire of the availability and details of internships. I think they do that stuff over the summer, often with College students.

I did an internship there a looong time ago just out of high school. Curatorial assistance included basic maintenance of the storage area floors, collecting temperature/humidity data daily. Answering public inquiries about collections, etc. Moving stuff around as necessary. There was one other intern there when I was there. We rarely had time to work together though. Principally directed by the collections manager. I stayed at the GWU's everglades hall dormitory during my summer and just walked to work. My compatriot stayed in his van in a campground outside of the beltway...


So it helped my case that I had just completed a dual enrollment one year executive internship program in high school relative to history teaching. Consequently I was familiar with the particulars of internship and they figured I'd be no trouble. So "internship" is good. You could in the mean time volunteer at a local history museum to learn about their particular operations and necessities, and in applying for NMAH in future perhaps mention an interest in understanding larger museum curatorship, operations, etc.

Can it be useful on a professional level? Yes. You can put it on your resume. I worked at museums after my internship. Small ones.

Besides the Smithsonian the US Government maintains museums and collections at National Parks, and there's the US Military museums around the country. State museums and archives might also appreciate some familiarity with Smithsonian modes. Many small museums get grants based on conformity to federal museum standards.
 
I think it's a great idea but suspect the Smithsonian will want you enrolled in college before they'll offer a formal internship. No harm in asking in the meantime.

I would also look for volunteer opportunities with organizations that support the Manassas National Battlefield Park and other historical sites in your area. Best of luck.
 
In terms of learning professional standards, the Smithsonian is a good place to do that.

In terms of getting an internship there or anywhere, even as an unpaid volunteer, with a really specific focus that represents a small part of their collection and mission, is going to be difficult. Museums will usually try to match interns to interests if they can, but flexibility is strongly preferred.

If you were a Master's or Doctorate student they might be more willing to work with you on a specific area. For a high school student less likely. If you can demonstrate you are not simply interested in a specific field, but already have advanced knowledge that would help your cause.

For the interests you express, I suggest seeking out a more focused museum such as the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, PA. Alternatively, talk to a NPS battlefield parks or the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation (more interpretation than curatorial). There's also an enormous national WW2 museum in New Orleans.

Smaller military museums are usually going to be more reliant on volunteers and might be more willing to take you on. However, you'll probably get less useful professional experience there as their collections management team may be volunteers who do not have advanced training. Some of those museums will also be a bunch of drizzled old men veterans who won't take a high school girl seriously.

If you're serious about a career as a museum curator, the more volunteer and intern work you do the better. If you can really dazzle someone with your knowledge and ability to learn, you might get lucky. At the very least they might be able to refer you somewhere else.

Realistically, you will probably still need a History BA and preferably a Master's in something like Museum Studies or Public History. That's going to require taking a lot of classes other than US military history.
 
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Appreciate your passion.

I have no idea what your academic standings are- and hoping you are doing well. Gonna make a huge assumption here- But I have to suspect that other classes don't get as much attention.

If so, I would also suggest that you strive for a well-balanced education- even in areas that you don't particularly enjoy.

All A's in history classes- with C's in Biology and English just doesn't do much to impress a selection committee..

If grades are good- across the board- please disregard. If not, now is the time to improve your focus. The next two years are critical to your future. And I wish you all the best.
 
@Manassas 1861 the Smithsonian Institution is very selective when it comes to internships and thousands of people apply. Before doing anything else you should view their website on internships and fellowships.


As a high school student I spent two years working for the Museum of the University of Pennsylvania (everyone else were graduate students and my situation was not the norm). I also spent three years working for the National Park Service and one year working for the Smithsonian Institution.

Presuming you are a high school student, @Sheltowee is correct in recommending you do well in all your high school courses. Some high schools offer a senior independent work project where you might be able to work for a museum. First look for volunteer opportunities at your local museum or historical society. You are not going to walk right in and be given an internship at the Smithsonian Institution. If you truly have a deep passion for military history then you will have to work hard to achieve your goals and there is no way to shortcut this process. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

While I have my BA, MA and PhD in history, I don't work in this field. Life has a way of changing the path we take.
 
As a suggestion, contact your state historical society for a list of all museums/historical sites in your state. If a state/ county/ city museum is close to you, see if you can volunteer/intern there. They will likely have the resources to expose you to professional museum standards. (That is not meant as a shot about local historical societies). It makes no difference if you work in a military-related museum or a civilian- related one. The techniques and standards for curation, research, and display are all the same.

It would also be good to talk to someone who currently works in a paid museum position and seek their career advice and guidance on how best to proceed. Don't forget, too, that library science can translate to working in archives. Cultural Resource Management - archaeology - is also something to consider.

I echo the suggestions about grades. I would also ask you to think about getting involved in some extracurricular activities if you're not already doing so. Employers and supervisors typically prefer people who are well- rounded socially and academically.

One last thing: if your high school has a JROTC program, think about joining it. I guess the bottom line is that you are looking to enter a field that is very small. You need to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

I hope this helps a bit. Many of us have been where you are now.

Best of luck.
 
Don't forget, too, that library science can translate to working in archives.

True, although this is mostly government or university archives with broad holdings. Some public libraries do have archives, but they don't always have a full-time paid position that manages them.

Archivist, Curator, or Conservator are really three related career tracks. If you work at a small institution - often with a collections staff of one - you will need to wear both the curator and archivist hat, but curatorial training is generally valued over archival training. Except for large organizations or government entities, conservators are usually working for businesses that get contracted by museums to work on specific artifacts.

Cultural Resource Management - archaeology - is also something to consider.

Yes, although this rarely involves military history. Unless you get a position with a specific historic site with a large enough staff to have its own archeologist (rare), It's probably 75% Native American sites and 25% civilian historic sites.

Archaeology doesn't involve as much field work as many people think. Archeologists tell me for every day in the field there's a week in the lab processing the artifacts and producing the associated paperwork.

Archaeology digs often need volunteer labor so there are lots of opportunities to experience some of the work first-hand.

The archaeology field used to be almost exclusively men, but this has changed substantially in the last few decades. The field school at my site last year was at least 75% women.

One last thing: if your high school has a JROTC program, think about joining it. I guess the bottom line is that you are looking to enter a field that is very small. You need to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

JROTC is a useful track towards ROTC, which can pay for college. Then after your military commitment you have Veterans Preference which is a huge asset for getting a federal government job, especially in NPS.

However, depending on your instructors, JROTC may be of little value to anyone not pursuing military service. I spent 4 years in JROTC. Had I been a juvenile delinquent or otherwise typical troubled teenager Sarge would have probably done me a lot of good as he did for my classmates. However, he had no more of a clue how to deal with a checked-out and underachieving, but well-behaved teenager any more than my other teachers or my mother. I still don't know where to find the kind of mentor I needed back then.
 
Your local Congress member usually has a staff of constituent service representatives who can help in cases like yours. They can direct you to the right places to apply and will usually provide a recommendation. This can be very helpful.

You should write to the Congressman/Congresswoman using old-fashioned hard copy to insure that they open a file in your name and keep track of your interactions with the office. Starting now will insure that they know what to do to help when the time is right.
 
Your local Congress member usually has a staff of constituent service representatives who can help in cases like yours. They can direct you to the right places to apply and will usually provide a recommendation. This can be very helpful.

Legislative offices will help their constituents (until they're voting age, their constituents' kids) find internships?

That's not something I would have ever expected legislators to do. I don't mean that as some kind of political joke. I mean I genuinely don't see it as a legislative responsibility. That seems more of a role for a school guidance counselor, unless the student specifically wants to intern for a politician.
 
Legislative offices will help their constituents (until they're voting age, their constituents' kids) find internships?

That's not something I would have ever expected legislators to do. I don't mean that as some kind of political joke. I mean I genuinely don't see it as a legislative responsibility. That seems more of a role for a school guidance counselor, unless the student specifically wants to intern for a politician.
Not unheard of, for a congressman to range beyond solely legislative responsibilities.
I've seen firsthand…..a couple times.

I'd take a shot at it.
 
Senators help with concerns if contacted at times, like Charles Grassley, Iowa, would push through SSI applications faster if asked. All avenues are worth a try if you're determined. And making connections on LinkedIn, getting to know heads & staff at museums. It's cool you know your interests at your age 🤩.

Also, online classes (some free) to learn more plus will look good on your eventual resume. Local volunteering if you can find an org. along the lines of your interests. Even proposing dynamic talks/lectures to a local elementary or junior high class, showing flag history, uniforms, etc. Creating a club at your school could show initiative. Reaching out to a history teacher for advice. Maybe making videos, doing a YouTube channel specializing in these interests, an Instagram, etc. A blog on Substack. Keep us apprised! You'll get there.
 
Legislative offices will help their constituents (until they're voting age, their constituents' kids) find internships?

That's not something I would have ever expected legislators to do. I don't mean that as some kind of political joke. I mean I genuinely don't see it as a legislative responsibility. That seems more of a role for a school guidance counselor, unless the student specifically wants to intern for a politician.
Well, you are absolutely correct that this kind of help is not part of a congressman's legislative responsibility and is more correctly the role of a high school guidance counselor. Nevertheless, most members of Congress maintain a constituent services staff separate from their legislative aides. That staff tends to view their role broadly, helping constituents in any ways that are practical and easily accomplished. The idea is to create a sense of gratitude and obligation to the elected official on the part of the constituent. It's called grass roots politics.

I worked in DC for a number of years and can assure you that this is commonplace in the offices of congressmen and senators.
 
That's a worthy goal young man. Try checking with any local or branch colleges that offer historical preservation or archeology classes this coming Summer or even Spring. Exposure thru classes helps prepare you for college and may get you some college credits along the way. Volunteering at museums to help assist by doing anything needing done you can help earn you a shot at performing your main interests. You'll be building a resume to. Keep up the good work and chase your dream.
 
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Besides military history, might I suggest concurrent studies in museum studies? Calvin Smith (late of Baylor Univ. and SF State) help set up those programs and have graduated many a museum professional. Calvin is presently in Waco at some museum/university.

Also suggest if you're into the material culture that you join The Company of Military Historians. At their conferences you'll rub elbows with museum conservators, curators, directors and get behind the scene tours of military museums. BTW, a fellow at the US Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, Georgia told me that the Army has been working on professionalizing their museums. With CivilWarTalk staff permission, here's a link and student fees are only $25, and if you need a sponsor, PM me. Link

You won't get rich but you can get famous within museum circles.

Also look into National Battlefield Park summer jobs as an interpreter. They hire youths to play soldier and so you should know your Irving Bell Wiley's Life of Billy Yank, Life of Johnny Reb and John Billing's Hardtack and Coffee. If you're a reenactor, you probably know Hardee's Tactics and can perform drill manuevers. That could be a plus. Learn to cook over an open campfire for your demonstrations. Your experience as a reenactor can help land a low paying (but resume building) job as a park reenactor.
 
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