Internship Opportunities
We offer internships in the Fall, Winter, and Summer for college and university students. Check this page for current opportunities and application instructions. All opportunities are listed below. If there are no current positions listed, please check back often as we post internship openings as they become available.
Exhibits Research Intern (Summer)
Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Department: Museum Experience
Objective: The goal of this internship is to gain an understanding of exhibit research. The intern will research present and past exhibits at the Nature Museum and several museums in Chicago and use that knowledge to create a presentation about the content of future exhibits at the Nature Museum. The exhibits research intern will also develop a spreadsheet gathering the specifications for various travelling exhibits that are currently available.
Responsibilities: The Exhibits Intern will work closely with the exhibits team to conduct research at the Chicago Academy of Sciences archives, online, and through correspondence with exhibit leasing companies. The Intern will develop a strategy to compile and present the research in written form and as a presentation to members of the Museum Experience department.
Final Product: The final product of this internship will be the creation of exhibits reference material and presentation about future Nature Museum exhibits.
Qualifications: The applicant must be motivated and able to work with minimal supervision. The ideal candidate will demonstrate attention to detail and an interest in exhibit research. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organizational skills, and experience with spreadsheets are required. Some coursework in museum practice or theory is desirable.
Minimum GPA: 2.5
Desired year in school: Preference will be given to candidates who have completed four semesters or more of university coursework.
Desired majors: museum studies, natural sciences, or nonprofit management
Compensation: Unpaid
Time Commitment (include hours and days): 10-20 hours per week, Monday-Friday during the summer of 2017. This is a finite position that will be completed during normal business hours (9am-5pm).
To apply: Email resume and cover letter to: eri@naturemuseum.org. Please include "Exhibits Research Intern" in the subject line.