How to Apply for Paid Internships

Eligibility Criteria

The paid internship program is open to United States citizens (or permanent residents) who are currently enrolled in an advanced (masters) library degree program from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or those that have graduated in the past six months.

Application Materials

  1. Application
  2. Resume detailing your experience, career interests and internship goals
  3. Unofficial Academic Transcripts from all college/universities attended
  4. Academic Essay: Two pages describing how academic goals, qualifications and career aspirations relate to the internship at the Smithsonian Institution Libraries
  5. Two letters of professional or academic recommendation (e.g., professors, past employers, supervisors). Referees may also submit an electronic recommendation, see below.
Use the SOLAA System to Apply Online: https://solaa.si.edu
 
Applying Through SOLAA (Smithsonian Online Application System)
  1. Register for SOLAA
  2. Choose Manage Applications ==> Add New Application
  3. Select the radio button corresponding to Internship
  4. The drop down box will be populated with eligible programs including the Smithsonian Institiution Libraries Professional Development Internship. Please be sure to select the specific project for which you would like to be considered.
Essential tips for the Online Application:
  • Do NOT submit your application until all necessary components are uploaded (ie: transcripts, academic essay, resume). Once submitted, you cannot upload or change anything within the application.
  • An unofficial or official transcript can be uploaded by first scanning the document and saving it as a .pdf or .jpg. Please do not mail the transcript separately.
  • Make sure you click the “send e-mail” button. This triggers the system to e-mail your referees with instructions for uploading the reference letter. Please advice your reference of this in advance.

Payment

Interns may receive up to $500 per week (pro-rated upon number of hours worked), which is awarded to the student as a stipend. Internships must be for a minimum of four weeks and a maximum of six. Interns typically work 35 hours per week. The earliest start date would be June 24th, 2013 though exact dates are flexible, depending on project and supervisor.

Selection Criteria

  1. At least a 3.0 GPA in the major (as verified by the submission of academic transcripts)
  2. Demonstrated interest in the research and museological activities of the Smithsonian Institution and work of Smithsonian Libraries
  3. Demonstrated knowledge or coursework related to Smithsonian areas of interest; solid writing, analytical, and computer skills are mandatory.
  4. Suitable Smithsonian Libraries' projects for members of applicant pool.

Final Report & Evaluation

Interns are required to submit a three to four-page report to the Smithsonian Libraries summarizing their internship activities upon completion of their internship as well as submit a blog entry about their experience.

Credit

SIL does not award college credit, but many U.S. colleges and universities will recognize academic work performed while interning. Contact your academic advisor for instructions on how to receive credit. If you would be interested in working on one of these projects as an unpaid intern with the option of receiving academic credit, please note so on your application.

Housing and Transportation

Interns are responsible for securing their own housing and transportation. Many universities rent out dorm space during the summer to interns. No parking is available at the Smithsonian for interns. Public transportation, rail and bus, is located very close to the internship sites. The Smithsonian assumes no liability for intern housing .

Intern Policies

Interns must complete a pre-appointment Security Background Investigation. Interns cannot be accepted into the program until they complete and successfully pass this investigation. The investigation includes fingerprinting and a criminal background investigation conducted by the Office of Personnel Security at the Smithsonian
 
All accepted Smithsonian interns must sign and complete an Internship Registration Form and Copyright Agreement. Completion of Photographic Release and Background Survey Questionnaire is optional, but encouraged.
 
Interns must complete an online Computer Security Training and sign a User-Agreement Form, in order to have access to Smithsonian email and computers.
 
Interns must read and sign a document pertaining to the prevention of workplace harassment.
 
Interns must furnish their social security numbers and dates of birth to the Office of Personnel Security in order to obtain a security credential.
 

Further inquiries about Smithsonian Libraries Internships should be directed to:

Erin Clements Rushing (rushinge@si.edu)
Digital Images Librarian
Digital Services Division
Smithsonian Institution Libraries
PO Box 37012
NHB Hall 22, Room 2206, MRC 154
Washington, DC 20013-7012
 
* Please note: the program description in SOLAA lists March 1st as the deadline for application submissions. This is not accurate. Applications will close March 11th.