Internship Project Descriptions

An internship at the Atlanta History Center is a challenging, educational experience designed for undergraduate and graduate students interested in pursuing a career in any aspect of museum administration and/or public history. Working alongside AHC staff in a tutorial arrangement, interns gain valuable skills and training in their chosen field. While specific projects vary with AHC needs and priorities, opportunities will be available in a variety of areas.

Collections Division

Curatorial Services/Textiles and Social History (Summer Term, Fall Semester)
(Collections care and management)
Description: An intern is needed to assist with processing and digital imaging of the 11,000 artifacts in the textile collection.
Duties of intern: The intern will work closely with the Vice President of Collections & Exhibitions to process recent acquisitions. The project consists of basic cataloguing and data entry into the ARGUS database, photographing textiles and linking images in the database; labeling, and records management.
Desired qualifications: Prior experience with museum collections and knowledge of databases is preferred, as is knowledge of clothing and/or textiles and ARGUS. Open to graduate students or responsible upper level undergraduates.
Time commitment: A commitment of at least 150 hours is required; one or two 7-hour days/week preferred.

Museum Collections/ Registration
(Collections care and management)
Description: An internship in the Atlanta History Center Museum Collection Registration Department will provide experience in all aspects of museum collections care and management.
Duties of intern: Interns will assist the Registration Department with basic duties such as processing and documenting loans and donations, packing museum objects for shipping, monitoring the environment and condition of exhibit galleries, and assisting with installation and deinstallation of traveling exhibits.
Specific projects, depending on the intern’s interests and experience and supervised by the Registrar, include:
• Database – Assist with data clean-up needed due to the conversion from Argus to ReDiscovery Proficio.
• Franklin Garrett Collection – Inventory, photograph, and process artifacts in the Garrett Library and museum storage areas.
• Inventory – Work with collections staff to verify object locations; rehouse artifacts; take digital images of these artifacts, and link the images in the database.
Desired qualifications: Computer proficiency, accuracy, attention to detail, and the ability to work according to established procedures. Previous experience with museum collections and databases is preferred.
Time commitment: 150 hours (15 hours per week for 10 weeks; flexible scheduling).

Museum Collections/Military Collection (Summer Term/Fall Semester)
(Collections care and management)
Description: An internship at the Atlanta History Center in the Museum Collection Department working specifically on projects pertaining to the Military Collection. This internship will provide experience working with collections and their storage, basic cataloging and data entry into the ARGUS database, labeling objects, and object file management.
Duties of intern: The intern will work closely with the Assistant Curator of the Military collection in any combination of the following: processing donations, applying accession numbers, database entry of object descriptions and pertinent data, photography of objects which includes image cleanup and linking the image in the database and records management.

Specific projects, depending on interns experience and interests, as supervised by the Assistant Curator will include:

- Assist with shifting and improving housing for objects in collection storage.
- Assist with basic cataloging of objects in the database, labeling, photographing objects and linking images to the collections database.

Desired qualifications: Computer proficiency, accuracy and attention to detail a must. Prior experience with museum collections and knowledge of museum databases strongly preferred.
Experience with ARGUS and Adobe Photoshop a plus.
Open to graduate students or responsible upper level undergraduates.
Time commitment: Minimum 15 hours per week for a 10 week period (150 hours) Monday-Friday, flexible scheduling.

Education

Summer History Camp Teaching Assistant (Summer Term)
Description: Work with Museum Education staff to create opportunities for Preschool, Elementary, and Middle School students to learn about and experience history in week long full-day summer camps. A typical day’s lesson plan includes a gallery or grounds tour, craft projects, outdoor activities, games, snacks, experience with touchable artifacts or a historical activity, and journal writing.
Duties of intern: Assist museum teachers in teaching and supervising groups of campers. Intern will assist lead teacher with student and classroom management, instruction, preparation for the day’s activities, lunches/snacks, and administrative tasks.
Desired Qualifications: The ideal candidate has experience working with Preschool, Elementary, and Middle School-aged children and interest in all aspects of history and museum education. Creativity, patience, flexibility, a sense of fun and willingness to learn are necessities.
Time Commitment: Summer camp hours are 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM in June and July. You will need to arrive by 8:30 AM and stay until 4:30 PM. It is preferred you attend a pre-camp orientation and training in May.

Summer Creative Writing Camp Teaching Assistant (Summer Term)
Description: Work with staff to create opportunities for Elementary, Middle School, and High School students to learn about creative writing and illustration in week long full-day summer camps. A typical day’s lesson plan includes a field trip, group discussions and activities, and an opportunity for creative writing.
Duties of intern: Assist camp teachers in teaching and supervising groups of campers. Intern will assist lead teacher with student and classroom management, instruction, preparation for the day’s activities, lunches/snacks, and administrative tasks.
Desired Qualifications: The ideal candidate has experience working with Elementary, Middle School, and High School-aged children and interest in history, creative writing and/or illustration. Creativity, patience, flexibility, a sense of fun and willingness to learn are necessities.
Time Commitment: Summer camp hours are 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM in June and July. You will need to arrive by 9:15 AM and stay until 4:30 PM. It is preferred you attend a pre-camp orientation and training in May.

Archives/Research Services Division

Kenan Research Center Communications Intern (Summer Term, Fall & Spring Semester)
Description: Volunteers will help develop content for the Kenan Research Center blog Pardon Our Backlog. Volunteers will conduct research and write blog entries relating to collection items in the library/archives and help create content for a weekly "Then and Now" feature. Candidates should be able to work independently and have excellent writing and research skills. Candidates must have an understanding of blogs and those with library or museum experience are preferred.
Commitment: 10-15 hours per week. Flexible placement available but routine shift required

Archives/ Kenan Research Center (Summer Term)
Description: An internship in the Archives department of the Kenan Research Center of the Atlanta History Center is designed to expose students interested in history, to all aspects of operations involving the Archives department. An Archives intern will learn research and processing skills by hands on experience with historical material.
Duties of intern: The intern will conduct research and create finding aids for primary resource collections at the Kenan Research Center. Interns will be supervised by staff and receive an evaluation form at the end of their program.
Desired qualifications: Excellent research and writing skills are required as well as the ability to work independently. History or American studies students preferred; no library or archival experience necessary.
Time Commitment: 10-week commitment

Audio-visual Collection (Summer Term, Fall & Spring Semester)
Description: An intern is needed to facilitate ongoing digitization and cataloging of approximately 1000 video tapes in the audiovisual collection.
Duties: The intern will work with the audiovisual archivist to digitize the analog video tape collection and catalog the material. Under the direction of the archivist, the intern will create access/preservation copies by converting them from analog format to DVD. In addition, the intern will copy the DVD, save the information to a file on the server, and create a separate compressed file. Also, during the transfer process the intern will complete a basic catalog sheet for each tape.
Desired Qualifications: Student interested in video preservation and a basic understanding of how to use analog and digital audio-visual equipment. Open for undergraduate and graduate students.
Time Commitment: Minimum 150 hours (15 hours/week for 10 weeks; other scheduling considered)

Digital Technician Intern (Summer Term, Fall & Spring Semester)
Description: Intern will help select, prepare, digitize, and quality control items from the collection. Experience using flatbed scanners and Adobe Photoshop is preferred, but training will be provided. Volunteers may also assist in creating catalog records for items such as photographs, postcards, or other selected material. Training will be provided on applicable software and in cataloging standards.
Training: On-the-job, experience in digital imaging preferred, but is not required.
Commitment: 4 hours per week, minimum 6-month commitment.

Librarian’s Assistant (Summer Term)
(Library operations – patron assistance)
Description: An internship in the Kenan Research Center of the Atlanta History Center is designed to expose the intern to all aspects of operations involving the special libraries and archives in support of the Kenan research staff.
Duties of intern: The intern will work with the Librarian to learn basic cataloging skills and assist the Librarian in reducing the backlog of uncataloged books to ensure collection integrity and optimal public accessibility. The assistant will identify duplicates in the collection, and create catalog records. The Librarian will supervise the intern in weeding the collection of unnecessary items.
Desired qualifications: History, American studies, library information students preferred. Intern should have an outgoing personality, and be anxious to greet new visitors and explain the best techniques to making the most of their research visit.
Time commitment: 10 hour per week; 10-week minimum.

Reference Assistant (Fall Semester, Summer Term)
(Library operations – patron assistance)
Description: An internship in the Kenan Research Center of the Atlanta History Center is designed to expose the intern to all aspects of operations involving the special libraries and archives in support of Kenan Research Center staff.
Duties of intern: The intern will greet patrons as they enter the facility, assist them in registering, and ensure that patrons follow established policies for using the Reading Room. The intern may also assist onsite patrons with accessing the resources of the Kenan Research Center or direct them to appropriate staff. The intern will answer telephone calls and direct those calls to the appropriate individuals on staff. As time permits, the intern may be asked to utilize the resources of the Kenan Research Center to respond to patron inquiries and information requests received via e-mail and telephone. Long term research projects are periodically available.
Desired qualifications: History, American studies, historic preservation, or library information students preferred. Intern should be detail oriented, have an outgoing personality, and enjoy the challenge of providing service to patrons. A pleasant telephone voice; some typing skills; and some familiarity with computers required.
Time commitment: 10 hour per week; 10-week minimum.

Communications Division

Digital Marketing (Rolling)
Description: As a digital marketing intern, the student will assist with the maintenance and promotion of our websites, social media accounts, and perform internet research.
Duties of intern: Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:

Website maintenance (add/edit content, videos, images, etc.)
Assist with social media efforts
Facebook: research other groups and pages on FB and see how we could share our information with their fans and brainstorm different ways to drive people to our FB pages
YouTube: Prep, upload videos and metadata
Twitter: Tweet, retweet, special offers, etc. find relevant followers
Monitor blogs, social media accounts and web sites to find promotional/PR opportunities

Desired qualifications: Intern must possess strong knowledge of the Internet, general knowledge of social media platforms (i.e. must have active accounts), and have strong writing skills. A background or interest in public relations or marketing is preferred but not mandatory.
Time commitment: 8-10 week commitment. Flexible work schedule.

Public Relations (Summer Term, Fall & Spring Semester)
(Museum administration-public relations)
Description: An intern is needed to assist the public relations department with general publicity for the Atlanta History Center. The intern will have the opportunity to assist with implementing a media relations campaign for various History Center offerings.
Duties of intern: Intern will learn how to write press materials, fill media requests, build and maintain media contact databases, and create internal staff newsletters. Wrap-up reports of all projects completed will be required.
Desired qualifications: Public relations, communications, or journalism course of study and/or experience desired. Intern should be detailed oriented. Strong writing skills, knowledge of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Publisher a plus.
Time Commitment: Minimum or 15 hours/week. Flexible work schedule.

Community and Collegiate Relations (Summer Term, Fall & Spring Semester)
(Museum Administration- Community relations)
Description: An intern is needed to assist the Community Initiatives Manager with general publicity for the Atlanta History Center. The intern will have the opportunity to assist with cross promotional opportunities as well as grass roots marketing.
Duties of intern: Intern will learn how to uncover and assist in fulfilling cross promotional opportunities, attend tourism industry and related meetings, work with other departments in order to promote all programs, discover and reach out to target markets, build and maintain contact databases, and learn how to implement a successful grass roots marketing strategy. Wrap-up reports of all projects completed will be required.
Desired qualifications: Public relations, communications, tourism or journalism course of study and/or experience desired. Intern should be detail-oriented. Strong writing and communication skills, knowledge of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel are a plus.
Time commitment: 10-week commitment. Flexible work schedule. Will have to work some weekends.

Marketing Communications (Summer Term, Fall & Spring Semester)
Description: Interns will gain valuable experience working in the field with the Communications Department. Play a major role in helping to communicate relevant information on Atlanta History Center’s special programs, historic homes, lecture series, exhibition openings, announcements, accolades, and so much more.
Job Details

Assist in updating photo libraries
Assist with writing and distributing calendar listings
Assist with research, planning, and distribution of press releases
Supervise and maintain database of various communication listings
Assist with communication station and clippings maintenance
Assist with creating and distributing general marketing collaterals
Research and assist grass roots efforts
Assist with basic department organizations and other duties as assigned

Time Commitment: Ten to twelve weeks. Interns are required to work a minimum of 12 hours a week, with occasional weekend duties.

Operations Division

Special Events Intern (Summer Term, Fall, & Spring Semesters and Rolling)
(Facility Rentals, Events, Hospitality, Marketing/PR, Communications, & Tourism)

Description: The Events department at the Atlanta History Center coordinates and promotes the use of their facility for weddings, corporate event, social and private event celebrations and business meetings. An intern is needed to assist with projects, planning and managing detailed event logistics as well as marketing our event venues.

Duties of intern: The intern will usually work with all members of our team, helping with both large and small scale projects to bolster their knowledge of events, create an understanding of how an event progresses from beginning to end, and provide them with new skills. Duties include, but are not limited to:

· Participating in grass root marketing efforts and industry networking functions

· Assisting with analyzing web sources, advertising campaigns and marketing strategies

· Discovering and soliciting new leads via email and telephone

· Promoting the History Center as an event facility

· Shadowing and assisting with site tours and event managing

· Creating event floor plans, time lines and necessary paperwork/BEOs

· Coordinating communication between vendors, planners and clients

· Assist with the building and maintaining contact databases, event files and vendor information

· Learning how to uncover and assist in fulfilling cross promotional opportunities

· Other duties will be assigned depending on the intern’s interests and skills

Desired qualifications: Candidates must demonstrate excellent writing and communication skills, a comfortable and confident phone manner, as well as be proficient in MS Word, Outlook and Excel. Interns should have a friendly, outgoing personalities with a talent for organization and skilled at managing details. Hospitality, public relations, marketing, communications, tourism, event coordination or journalism course of study and/or experience desired, but all fields of study are welcome. Weekend availability and having reliable transportation are extremely helpful.

Time commitment: Prefer a minimum 15 hours/week flexible work schedule with at least 12 hours per week during a 9am to 5pm workday. Internships last for at least 10 weeks with flexible start and end dates. Due to the nature of the work, the Special Events Department is open to non-traditional internships and non-credit internships that could easily extend passed the 10 weeks in order for students to gain the necessary experience before graduation and entering the professional arena.

What you will learn: All interns will be exposed to what it’s like to work for a non-profit museum and historic house event venue. Through a hands-on approach interns can begin to understand the complexities of and the balance an educational, cultural and research institute have to have in order to maintain mission and still rent their facility for earned revenues to support their organization. Interns may be taught the scope of operating a premiere event facility within the constraints of changing economic times and budget reductions as well as expected cost efficiencies in most non-profit organizations. Contemporary marketing strategies and analytics can also be learned. Customer service, business to business relations, networking and client development are all areas that can be taught during an internship with the Atlanta History Center’s Event Department.

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For information
Placements are subject to availability
Carla Phillips
Manager of Volunteer Services & Internships
Atlanta History Center
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta, GA 30305
404.814.4115 e-mail
Internships at the Atlanta History Center carry no stipends or wages and require a minimum seven (7) week commitment of 10 – 15 hours per week.