Immediate Openings for Interns: Apply Today!
The Putnam Museum and Science Center offers unpaid internships to college students who enjoy working with people and are interested in learning more about the many facets of the museum environment. General goals of the internship program include the following:
- To provide an opportunity for the student to work on meaningful projects under the guidance of an experienced professional.
- To acquaint the student with the Putnam’s collections, exhibits, and programs.
- To provide an opportunity for the student to explore a variety of career possibilities.
- To enable the student to more fully consider career opportunities in the not-for-profit employment sector in areas including education, curation, marketing, finance, and development.
- To assist Putnam staff with important work relating to the accomplishment of strategic direction goals and objectives.
Internships generally center around projects developed and monitored by Putnam staff. Most internships include some general departmental or clerical work. Assignments are determined by the needs of the departments and the student’s academic background, experience, and interests.
Please note that openings in the desired department may not always be available.
Eligibility
Internships are most readily available for college students and recent graduates with the following backgrounds: biological science, anthropology, geology, history, art history, graphic design, photography, marketing, communications, education, English, business, or museum studies. Other fields of study will be considered. Interns are selected by an application and review process that may include an interview.
Commitment
Internships are usually a semester long (fall, spring, or summer sessions). Interns are expected to spend a minimum of nine hours per week at the Putnam during the interning semester. The specific schedule will be determined by the supervising staff member. Depending on the department, interns may be required to submit a summary report to the Putnam that describes their experience within 30 days of the end of the internship.
Credit
While the Putnam does not offer paid internships, some students receive college credit for their work. A student wishing to receive course credit for an internship must contact their academic department head for approval. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the Putnam at the beginning of an internship if there are any special requirements or documentation required on the part of the Putnam that will enable such course credit.
DEADLINES
Applications for internship at the Putnam Museum and Science Center may be made at any time. Students are advised, however, that the time required to process an application may require up to 30 days.
CURATORIAL INTERNSHIP DEADLINES
April 1: Summer internships
August 15: Fall internships
December 1: Spring internships
