STUDENT AND RECENT GRADUATE INTERNSHIPS
Gain valuable, hands-on, professional experience through an internship at the Rochester Museum & Science Center. Check out the current opportunities listed below.
NOTE: While these internships are non-paid, they may be used for credit. If you intend to use your placement for credit, please make arrangements with the on-site adviser and complete the required paperwork before you begin your internship.
TO APPLY: Please complete the online volunteer application and send a cover letter and resume to the contact listed for each project.
The following departments currently offer internship opportunities:
Education
Collections
Library and Archives
Exhibits
EDUCATION
PROJECT: Prototyping/Audience Studies for Exhibit Development Project
Description: Conduct audience studies to prototype various exhibit design and content delivery methods and evaluate their success. This work will inform the development of a new interactive/participatory exhibit that challenges visitors to become inventors. Individuals with a background in education, psychology, cultural anthropology, or museum studies preferred. This internship will be supervised jointly by staff in the Collections and Education departments.
Hours: variable
Contact: Please complete the online volunteer application and send a resume and cover letter to Elizabeth Sikorski, Registrar Assistant. elizabeth_sikorski@rmsc.org
PROJECT: Curriculum Development
DESCRIPTION: Develop a curriculum guide for one of our many exhibit halls or outreach programs. The guides would be focused at a teacher audience, and include grade-appropriate pre- and post-lesson plans that can be used by teachers in their classrooms. Curriculum guides are needed for supporting experiences focusing on Physical Science, Natural Science, and Social Studies curricula. The project can be coupled with "Informal Field Experience" to include delivering the lessons, classroom observation, and/or development of the assessment tools.
HOURS PER WEEK: variable
CONTACT: Please complete the online volunteer application and send a cover letter and resume to Calvin Uzelmeier, Director of Education.
Calvin_Uzelmeier@rmsc.org
PROJECT: Geology/Paleontology Kits for Object-based Teaching
DESCRIPTION: Work with the RMSC Teaching Collection for Geology to develop teaching kits that can be used as a "loan library" for regional teachers and or utilize kits for engaging the public in museum galleries. These kits will relate to specific curriculum needs in Earth Science. The project may include several needs, including: update the catalog, research curriculum ties, identify items that meet curriculum needs, assemble kits, develop complementary educator materials/resource guides, and/or use materials for on-floor programs.
HOURS PER WEEK: variable
CONTACT: Please complete the online volunteer application and send a cover letter and resume to Calvin Uzelmeier, Director of Education.
Calvin_Uzelmeier@rmsc.org
PROJECT: Informal Education Field Experience
DESCRIPTION: Serve as an exhibit docent or youth instructor, leading experiences for school and/or public audiences. This project can include the development of assessment tools, and be coupled with "Curriculum Development" according to interests.
HOURS PER WEEK: variable
CONTACT: Please complete the online volunteer application and send a cover letter and resume to Calvin Uzelmeier, Director of Education.
Calvin_Uzelmeier@rmsc.org
COLLECTIONS
PROJECT: Prototyping/Audience Studies for Exhibit Development Project
Description: Conduct audience studies to prototype various exhibit design and content delivery methods and evaluate their success. This work will inform the development of a new interactive/participatory exhibit that challenges visitors to become inventors. Individuals with a background in education, psychology, cultural anthropology, or museum studies preferred. This internship will be supervised jointly by staff in the Collections and Education departments.
Hours: variable
Contact: Please complete the online volunteer application and send a resume and cover letter to Elizabeth Sikorski, Registrar Assistant. elizabeth_sikorski@rmsc.org
LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES
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RMSC Collections and Libraries
PROJECT: Library Cataloging Practicum
DESCRIPTION: Create original catalog records for a special collection of family journals (ca. 1864-1914), following established local procedure in accordance with AACR2, OCLC practice and MARC tagging rules. Students can earn practicum credits for a library/information services program.
HOURS: Hours can be arranged. Practicum students can complete the project within the hours needed for credit. Library hours are 9am–5pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
CONTACT: Please complete the online volunteer application and send a cover letter and resume to Lea Kemp, Librarian/Archivist.
lea_kemp@rmsc.org
PROJECT: Indexing
DESCRIPTION: Create subject and name indexes for one issue or one volume (10 issues), or many volumes of our museum publication Museum Service. Students can earn internship credits. Library/information services students who have taken or are taking an indexing course preferred.
HOURS: Hours can be arranged. Internships can be one semester or two semesters. Library hours are 9am–5pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
CONTACT: Please complete the online volunteer application and send a cover letter and resume to Lea Kemp, Librarian/Archivist.
lea_kemp@rmsc.org
EXHIBITS
PROJECT: Prototyping for Exhibit Development Project
Description: Design and build exhibit components to prototype with visitors. This work will inform the development of a new interactive/participatory exhibit that challenges visitors to become inventors. Individuals with a background in industrial design
preferred. Required skills include proficiency in basic wood shop equipment, hand tools, and an understanding of construction materials and processes. Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to sketch ideas quickly and create prototypes that
are safe for visitor interaction. This internship will be supervised jointly by staff in the Collections and Exhibits departments.
Hours: variable
Contact: Please complete the online volunteer application and send a resume and cover letter to Lois Shaffer, Deputy Director, Design.
Lois_Shaffer@rmsc.org
PROJECT: Design Exhibits
DESCRIPTION: Assist in the design of exhibits furniture and kiosks. Industrial design (3D) training preferred.
HOURS: Flexible, as time permits, on site Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm maximum.
CONTACT: Please send cover letter, resume, and completed online volunteer application to Lois Shaffer, Deputy Director, Design.
Lois_Shaffer@rmsc.org
PROJECT: Design Exhibits Graphics
DESCRIPTION: Assist in the design and production of graphics for museum. Graphics training preferred.
HOURS: Flexible, as time permits, on site Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm maximum.
CONTACT: Please complete the online volunteer application and send a cover letter and resume to Lois Shaffer, Deputy Director, Design.
Lois_Shaffer@rmsc.org
PROJECT: Install Exhibits
DESCRIPTION: Assist in the creation and building of exhibits and exhibits environments. Fine Arts background preferred and carpentry skills a plus.
HOURS: Flexible, as time permits, on site Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm maximum.
CONTACT: Please complete the online volunteer application and send a cover letter and resume to Lois Shaffer, Deputy Director, Design.
Lois_Shaffer@rmsc.org
PROJECT: Maintain Exhibits
DESCRIPTION: Assist in maintaining and improving exhibits. All around handy person preferred, mechanical and electrical skills a plus.
HOURS: Flexible, as time permits, on site Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm maximum.
CONTACT: Please complete the online volunteer application and send a cover letter and resume to Lois Shaffer, Deputy Director, Design.
Lois_Shaffer@rmsc.org
PROJECT: Create Illustrations for Exhibits
DESCRIPTION: Assist in the development of exhibit graphics.
HOURS: Flexible, as time permits, on site Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm maximum.
CONTACT: Please complete the online volunteer application and send a letter and resume to Lois Shaffer, Deputy Director, Design. Lois_Shaffer@rmsc.org.
PROJECT: Make Models
DESCRIPTION: Create scale models for use in exhibit development and for exhibits.
HOURS: Flexible, as time permits, on site Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm maximum.
CONTACT: Please complete the online volunteer application and send a letter and resume to Lois Shaffer, Deputy Director, Design. Lois_Shaffer@rmsc.org.
PROJECT: Design Animated Games and Exhibit Components
DESCRIPTION: Create innovative computer animations for use in exhibits. Digital media and animation background preferred.
HOURS: Flexible, as time permits, on site Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm maximum.
CONTACT: Please complete the online volunteer application and send a letter and resume to Lois Shaffer, Deputy Director, Design. Lois_Shaffer@rmsc.org.