Ocean County Historical Society Undergraduate Internship Program
Position Summary
The Ocean County Historical Society, a nonprofit organization that is solely staffed by volunteers, offers unpaid internships to motivated and energetic undergraduate students who enjoy working with people and are interested in learning more about the many facets of the museum environment. By becoming involved in projects designed to benefit both the intern and the museum, the intern will gain diverse experience working with volunteers on activities typical to a historic museum and research center.
Position Responsibilities
The intern’s primary responsibility will be to assist the volunteer supervisor with any ongoing projects related to the successful
day-to-day operation of the museum and its research center. Areas of concentration for the intern may include:
- Leading guided tours of the Elizabeth Sculthorp Force House to public audiences
- Assisting museum personnel at the museum-wide events and public programs including the development of “traveling exhibits”
- Assisting with the planning, research, and labeling of exhibits
- Learning the proper care and storage of the museum & large textile collection
- Working with the Acquisitions Committee
- Adding records and digital photographs of artifacts to the museum’s computerized collections’ database
- Researching and digitally cataloging the museum’s art works
- Performing historical research for the patrons of the Richard L. Strickler Research Center
- Organizing archival records in the Richard L. Strickler Research Center
- Library and museum inventory and record keeping
- Oral history interviews and transcripts
Attendance at one Executive Board meeting to learn about the structure of the Ocean County Historical Society, its governing body, and the various committees it takes to run the Society is mandatory.
Qualifications
The ideal applicant will have a background or interest in any of the following:
- History
- Graphic Design
- Photography
- Communications
- Education
- Business
- Museum Studies
- Library Science
- Art History
- Archaeology
Students in other fields of study who express an interest in the internship program will be given consideration. Undergraduate students entering Junior or Senior years will be considered based on experience. Successful applicants must be effective in oral and
written communication, be detail-oriented, and be able to work independently when given clear objectives.
Schedule
Internships are usually a semester in length (fall, spring, or summer sessions). Interns are expected to spend a minimum of 60 hours the internship semester. The specific schedule will be mutually determined by the intern and the volunteer supervisor. The schedule must fall within the posted hours that the Ocean County Historical Society Museum is open. The Ocean County Historical Society volunteer supervisor and the intern will maintain a record of the hours worked by the intern. Both parties will initial the document after each work session.
Application
Prospective interns should complete the Undergraduate Intership Application and return all materials at least 30 days prior to the start of the proposed internship. For additional information call 732-341-1880 Internship Director: Barbara Williamson.
