[Grad_history_students] Undergrads & Grads: Paid Internship, Martha's Vineyard

[Perez, Guadalupe]

Subject: Please Forward to Undergrads & Grads: Paid Internship, Martha's Vineyard

Closing Date: Until Filled
Posted Date: 2/19/2008

Organization/Company: Martha's Vineyard Historical Society

Location: Edgartown, MA  USA

Job Category(ies)
Miscellaneous

Institution Type(s)
Historical Society

Salary Information: $9.00 per hour. MVM has access to a limited number of discounted summer housing arrangements through local landlords. MVM interns will be provided with contact information and some limited assistance in finding housing. But, the MVM does not assume responsibility for making the actual housing arrangements for the summer interns. It is the responsibility of each intern to secure housing. The MVM does recommend prospective interns to also examine the MV Chamber of Commerce website for housing information.

Description: The Martha's Vineyard Museum has a well developed summer intern program, which has been in place since 1993. Each intern has the opportunity to participate in all operational aspects of the Museum. This is an ideal environment for learning about such issues as non-profit administration, historic conservation, museum education, development, outreach, preservation, and public history. With the experience gained at the MVM, many of our interns have gone on to careers in the fields of library science, historic preservation, public history, and museum studies.Duties and Duration of the Internship: Along with the tasks assigned by their supervisor, interns will be asked to participate in several organizational events and perform a number of organizational duties. * Employment will commence around mid-June. * All interns must be able to work until August 22nd (with possible preference given to those who are able to work until Labor Day). * Weekly work schedule is Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30a.m. - 5:00p.m. * Attend All Staff and Intern Meetings * Conduct Public Tours of the Campus * Assist Staff in 3 Summer Evening Events * Share Responsibilities in Museum Shop * Assist in Maintaining Public Spaces

Development/Administrative Intern: Will assist the Development and Finance operations for the museum. The person will split time between the two departments. Responsibilities in the Finance department include overseeing the Museum shop, training and scheduling volunteers and visitor services for the museum and shop, and financial reporting. The person hired will need to demonstrate an understanding of retail operations; basic accounting knowledge would be helpful. The intern will also assist the Finance director with bank deposits, mailings and other administrative tasks, as necessary. Responsibilities in the Development department include supporting all facets of special event planning and implementation, including ticket sales, reception, and event set up/clean up. Assisting in the development of presentation materials, reports, gift acknowledgments, appeals, and related correspondence. The position requires a person with excellent interpersonal communications skills, as there will be regular interaction with customers, board members and members of the organization. It will be most helpful to have an understanding of writing for marketing/PR purposes and computer skills, particularly Excel.

Library/Archive Intern: The Library/Archive Intern will work closely with the librarian, library staff and volunteers, and visiting researchers at the Gale Huntington Library. The Library's special collections include 50,000 photographic images, 500 maps, and 550 linear feet of manuscripts, logbooks, diaries, and scrapbooks. The Library maintains a small non-circulating collection of monographs that relate to the Museum's focus on Martha's Vineyard history and culture. It functions as the Vineyard's primary cultural and historical repository. Thus, the Library responds to research and reference queries from around the world. While gaining a solid understanding of the basic operations of a research library, the intern will also learn a number of important archival concepts and skills. Candidates for this position should have a strong interest and background in American history and/or some experience working in a research library setting.

Oral History Intern : The Oral History Intern will undertake a wide variety of tasks related to the collection, cataloging and use of oral history materials: tapes, transcripts and photos in the Museum's collection. The Oral History Archive has over 1100 interviews with people of the Vineyard showcasing the rich ethnic, occupational and religious diversity to be found on Martha's Vineyard. The intern will assist the Oral History Curator in devising and improving the accessibility of the Oral History Archive to the public. The intern will help in the organizing of the archive, the transcribing of interviews, the indexing of transcripts, and the cataloging of the collection. The intern will also assist the Oral History Curator in the editing of tapes and transcripts for exhibits, publications and films and will have the opportunity to participate in the interviewing process.

Education Intern: The Education Intern works closely with the Director of Education to develop and deliver programs for school aged children, their families and teachers. Duties include building working relationships with other interns in order to devise ways to make exhibits & activities more family friendly and interactive; spending time in the library/archives identifying pertinent primary source materials for developing school curriculums; helping install & maintain the summer exhibit in Kids’ Space; creating & and maintaining scavenger hunt activities provided for visiting youngsters; helping facilitate workshops for children; helping create materials to publicize MVM Education programs & events. In addition, this intern would be expected to attend 4 Wednesday evening events (July 8 & 25 and August 8 & 22) from 5-7:30 p.m. The position would best be filled by an energetic, self motivated, flexible individual who is independent, creative and willing to be a team player who enjoys interacting with children and the public.

Preferred Qualifications: A background in history or museum studies is preferred but not required; a strong interest in museums, education, or archives is necessary. A high degree of responsibility and the ability to work professionally with the public are essential. Excellent organizational skills are necessary. Experience with Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop are preferred. Each of the five internship positions requires the intern to have the capability to work independently.

Application Instructions: To be considered for an internship position, you will have to submit a complete application package to the MVM. This application package includes: * Martha's Vineyard Museum Intern Information Sheet * Cover Letter * Resume * Two Letters of Recommendation * Most Current Contact Information (phone number and email) Upon receiving the application packet, MVM staff will send an email acknowledgement. A telephone interview will be necessary for the finalists. To obtain an Intern Information Sheet, simply download and print the MVM Intern Information Sheet. 

Please send the completed application packet to:
Martha's Vineyard Museum
Attn: Internship Committee
P.O. Box 1310
Edgartown, MA. 02539



Amy M. Tyson, Ph.D.
History Department
DePaul University
2320 N. Kenmore Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 773-325-4983
Fax: 773/325-4764