HCSCC Internships
The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County welcomes talented college students who are looking for an opportunity to work in a museum setting. Interns will work directly with museum professionals in the areas of visitor services, public relations and marketing, educational programming, event planning, archival practices, and curatorial and collections practices.
All internships are unpaid. However, North Dakota State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead students who are eligible for Work Study may use their award for internship work at HCSCC.
How to Apply
All internship candidates are asked to submit an application package that includes:
Applications for Spring 2019 are due December 15, 2018.
Applications for Summer 2019 are due March 1, 2019.
Applications for Fall 2019 are due July 1, 2019.
Minimum Requirements for all HCSCC interns include:
All interns will be cross trained in visitor service duties and expected to perform these duties as needed. This training includes learning tours, and learning how to run the gift shop and admission cash registers.
Visitor Services
The Visitor Services intern’s primary responsibility is to assist in the day-to-day operation of the Heritage Gift Shop, admissions desk, and stave church. Duties include:
The Visitor Services intern also assists museum staff with a variety of events, such as exhibition openings, school and group tours, festivals, and other special events. Interns interact with the public on a daily basis and are expected to provide visitors with information about museum facilities, collections, exhibitions, events, and programs.
This position is open to all majors and students of freshman through Senior standing. Please contact Emily Kulzer, Director of Museum Operations, to inquire about the Visitor Services internship.
Communications (Public Relations and Marketing)
The Public Relations and Marketing intern’s primary responsibility is to assist the Communications Manager. Duties include:
This position is open to the following majors: marketing, public relations, advertising, communications, and English writing majors. Students must be of junior or senior status. Please contact Davin Wait, Communications Manager, to inquire about the Public Relations and Marketing internship.
Event Planning
The Event Planning intern’s primary responsibility is to assist in the Director of Museum Operations, Programming Director, and Communications Manager with the planning and executing of events. Duties include:
This position is open to all majors, but marketing or communications majors are preferred. Students must be of junior or senior status. Please contact Emily Kulzer, Director of Museum Operations, to inquire about the Event Planning internship.
Archives
The Archives intern’s primary responsibility is to assist the Archivist with the day-to-day operation of the HCSCC archives. Duties include:
This position is open to History and Public History majors only. Students must be of junior or senior standing. Candidates must have a serious interest in working in archives or libraries. Please contact Mark Peihl, Archivist, to inquire about the Archives internship.
Curatorial
The Curatorial intern’s primary responsibility is to assist the Collections Manager and Registrar with the day-to-day collection management tasks. Duties include:
This position is open to History, Public History, and Cultural Anthropology majors only. Students must be of junior or senior standing. Previous coursework in public history, collections management, and experience in handling artifacts is preferred. Please contact Lisa Vedaa, Collections Manager and Registrar, for more information about the Curatorial internship.
The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County welcomes talented college students who are looking for an opportunity to work in a museum setting. Interns will work directly with museum professionals in the areas of visitor services, public relations and marketing, educational programming, event planning, archival practices, and curatorial and collections practices.
All internships are unpaid. However, North Dakota State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead students who are eligible for Work Study may use their award for internship work at HCSCC.
How to Apply
All internship candidates are asked to submit an application package that includes:
- A completed application form (click here to download)
- A resume highlighting past work and volunteer experience, skills, and relevant coursework.
- A personal essay mentioning opportunities that interest you. Use this essay to tell us how the internship will advance your academic and career goals.
- Three academic or professional references with contact information
Applications for Spring 2019 are due December 15, 2018.
Applications for Summer 2019 are due March 1, 2019.
Applications for Fall 2019 are due July 1, 2019.
Minimum Requirements for all HCSCC interns include:
- Demonstrate an ability to analyze, organize, and prioritize
- Critical thinking skills and decision-making abilities
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Self-motivated, able to work independently, and work well with minimum supervision
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
All interns will be cross trained in visitor service duties and expected to perform these duties as needed. This training includes learning tours, and learning how to run the gift shop and admission cash registers.
Visitor Services
The Visitor Services intern’s primary responsibility is to assist in the day-to-day operation of the Heritage Gift Shop, admissions desk, and stave church. Duties include:
- Cash register operations
- Customer service
- Exhibit security
- Giving tours
- Keeping the exhibit spaces clean and comfortable for guests
The Visitor Services intern also assists museum staff with a variety of events, such as exhibition openings, school and group tours, festivals, and other special events. Interns interact with the public on a daily basis and are expected to provide visitors with information about museum facilities, collections, exhibitions, events, and programs.
This position is open to all majors and students of freshman through Senior standing. Please contact Emily Kulzer, Director of Museum Operations, to inquire about the Visitor Services internship.
Communications (Public Relations and Marketing)
The Public Relations and Marketing intern’s primary responsibility is to assist the Communications Manager. Duties include:
- Assist with research, special projects, events, and database management
- Assist with activities that help promote HCSCC, enhance public participation, and encourage community awareness
- Assist in the concept creation, writing, editing, coordination, and production of program brochures, reception invitations, press releases, public-service announcements, program flyers, and other promotional materials
- Post upcoming programs and events on local online community calendars, the HCSCC website and social media pages
- Work on special project assignments
- Assist in mailings
- Represent the PR and Marketing Department at special events, openings, programs, etc. as requested.
- Acquire and maintain a familiarity of knowledge of HCSCC’s collections, exhibitions, and programs, both ongoing and upcoming
This position is open to the following majors: marketing, public relations, advertising, communications, and English writing majors. Students must be of junior or senior status. Please contact Davin Wait, Communications Manager, to inquire about the Public Relations and Marketing internship.
Event Planning
The Event Planning intern’s primary responsibility is to assist in the Director of Museum Operations, Programming Director, and Communications Manager with the planning and executing of events. Duties include:
- Assist with the planning and execution of HCSCC’s three annual festivals, exhibition opening, educational programs, and special events
- Communicate planning information in a clear manner to facilities managers, caterers, vendors, and other program and event planners
- Work closely with the Communications Manager to promote these events
This position is open to all majors, but marketing or communications majors are preferred. Students must be of junior or senior status. Please contact Emily Kulzer, Director of Museum Operations, to inquire about the Event Planning internship.
Archives
The Archives intern’s primary responsibility is to assist the Archivist with the day-to-day operation of the HCSCC archives. Duties include:
- Assist with the preservation, research, and cataloging of HCSCC’s archival collections
- Become familiar with proper artifact and document handling and storage procedures
- Catalog and inventory collections
- Enhancement of archival metadata and digitization
- Work on special project assignments
This position is open to History and Public History majors only. Students must be of junior or senior standing. Candidates must have a serious interest in working in archives or libraries. Please contact Mark Peihl, Archivist, to inquire about the Archives internship.
Curatorial
The Curatorial intern’s primary responsibility is to assist the Collections Manager and Registrar with the day-to-day collection management tasks. Duties include:
- Assist with the preservation, research, and cataloging of HCSCC’s history and artifact collections
- Become familiar with proper artifact handling and storage procedures
- Catalog and inventory collections
- Work on special project assignments
This position is open to History, Public History, and Cultural Anthropology majors only. Students must be of junior or senior standing. Previous coursework in public history, collections management, and experience in handling artifacts is preferred. Please contact Lisa Vedaa, Collections Manager and Registrar, for more information about the Curatorial internship.