Student Internships | UTSA Institute Of Texan Cultures

EXPLORE OUR STUDENT INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The Institute of Texan Cultures provides experiential learning opportunities to degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students offering hands-on projects that contribute to the museum, university, and community.

Internships enrich students’ educational experiences, serve society through expanded research, serve the public through community engagement, and serve UTSA by educating and empowering students. Students will take away a valuable record of experience and marketable skills in preparation for a future career.

Interns will work a total of 150 hours per semester, and the majority of positions are unpaid. Paid internship positions are highly competitive and only a limited number are offered each semester. Competitive candidates will show excellent writing and analytical skills, the ability to work independently and in teams, and the ability to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines. Paid internships earn $10 an hour for a maximum of 150 hours.

Available Internships

Museum Research

Research positions typically include exhibition content research, object-based research, photographic research, and/or archival research. Interns will become part of the research team and may work on a variety of projects in support of museum programs. Interns receive training in multiple areas, including use of the UTSA Special Collections, online databases, microfilm, insurance maps, and oral histories. Under guidance from staff, research findings will be added to the research department’s files and may be used in the development of future exhibits or other museum activities. All students will submit a final project at the end of the internship for evaluation of their progress.

Collections Management

This position will teach students object processing and handling, historical research and writing, and museum collection management. After gaining sufficient knowledge, interns actively engage in hands-on collection management activities. These typically include object intake and processing, use of the collection database, inventory, cataloging, labeling, digital photography, condition assessment, fabrication of storage mounts/boxes, environmental and pest monitoring, object research, and object mount fabrication. All students will submit a final project at the end of the internship for evaluation of their progress.

Oral History

This position will teach students how to conduct and transcribe oral histories and/or gain exposure to fieldwork experience. Interns will be trained in oral history methods and practice and gain experience in transcribing existing oral history projects. Work completed during the internship will be recorded in the UTSA Special Collections and ITC permanent archives. Duties may include local travel to assist with interviews, updating files and records associated with the collection, transcribing and indexing oral histories, historical research and writing, and completion of new oral history interviews. All students will submit a final oral history project at the end of the internship for evaluation of their progress during the internship.

Research and Collections (Combined)

Interns divide their time equally between two sections: Collections and Research (see descriptions above). Students will work with research and collection staff to on projects supporting museum initiatives and exhibits. Students will take away a valuable record of experience in preparation for a future career in museums or related fields. All students will submit a final project at the end of the internship for evaluation of their progress.

Advancement and Development

Interns will gain first-hand experience on implementing fundraising strategies and techniques as part of team. Activities will include creating attractive announcements and invitations for meetings and events, developing fundraising strategies, assisting with event preparations, maintaining contact lists, conducting donor research, and scheduling appointments as needed. This opportunity is ideal for students interested in museums, philanthropic organizations and NGOs, and communications industries.

Communications and Marketing

Interns will learn brand management, including how to coordinate social media activities for a large cultural attraction. Students will gain first-hand experience working with internal clients and external stakeholders for marketing, building social media profiles, and brand management that includes influencing messaging strategies. Students will undertake a series of projects that will become part of the ITC’s marketing materials, volunteer recruitment, programs, and resources for educators. This opportunity is ideal for students across many fields, including those interested in communications, tourism/hospitality, outreach, and brand management.

Special Events and Festivals

Interns will receive training in Special Events management. The Institute hosts two very large Festivals annually — Asian Festival in February, and the Texas Folklife Festival in June. Students will gain understanding of festival and event management along with the day-to-day operations, and will use practical skills as part of the festival team in the museum. Students will gain experience in organizing, planning and implementing programs that come together to create a single event. The experience gained will enhance a resume in preparation of a future career in event management or related fields.

Education and Tours

Students will gain an understanding of museum education practices, public history, programs, and outreach materials. Students gain practical experience in curriculum writing, research, program development, artifact interpretation, teacher professional development, and the delivery of guided tours. A research project focusing on curriculum development, thematic interpretation, program delivery, or teaching methodology will be assigned. This position will benefit those wishing to pursue a career in museums, public history, or K-12 education.

COURSE CREDIT

UTSA course credit (3 hours for 150 work hours) may be earned for most internships at ITC. The internship will fulfill the requirements for the UTSA Museum Studies minor (MSM4933) as well as internship requirements in many other disciplines. Non-UTSA students may apply if intending to take course credit with their home institutions.

TO APPLY

Submit the following documents as an application to ITCinternships@utsa.edu:

A cover letter
Explain how your studies or experience qualify you, and specify particular areas of interest or skillsets that relate to the desired position
Specify which position you desire – e.g. Museum Research, Summer 2018
A resume or vita
Transcripts (unofficial is acceptable)
A short writing sample of recent work (3-5 pages in length)
A letter of support

For students earning course credit for the position, your letter of support must come from the faculty member who will oversee your internship in your home department.

If you are not receiving university credit for this position, the letter of support may come from a professional or academic reference.

UTSA Museum Studies minors – if you are using this internship to fulfill Minor requirements, you must submit an additional letter of reference from Dr. Scott Sherer, the Museum Studies program coordinator. See the UTSA Museum Studies minor website for more information.

Selected applicants must successfully pass a Criminal Background Check (CBC) conducted by UTSA-PD, and abide by all UTSA and other applicable conditions for employment or volunteer positions.

Please reference the specific internship description for any additional instructions. For more information contact us at ITCinternships@utsa.edu.

Apply for Internship