College Internship Program
College internships available at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
Application Form
The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum college student internship program design provides undergraduate and graduate students a meaningful educational experience which benefits both students and our organization..
Although many of our interns come from history programs, there are opportunities for students in a variety of disciplines including communications, library science, education, museum studies, art history, journalism, and marketing.
Students must commit to a minimum of 100 hours during the term of their internship. Internships are voluntary and uncompensated by the library, though there may be opportunity for earning course credit through their enrolled institutions.
Housing is not provided.
Interns may set a flexible work schedule between normal business hours of M-F 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Overall qualifications for interns include:
- Current enrollment in a 2 or 4-year degree program
- Ability to work independently and effectively given a limited time frame
- Ability to balance multiple tasks
- Basic computer skills
- Dependable and punctual
- Detail oriented
- Excellent communication skills
- Good organizational skills
- Good writing skills are an essential part of the job function
ARCHIVES UNIT INTERNSHIPS
This internship is designed to provide exposure to the archival profession, and specifically, the Harry S. Truman Library archives unit. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work with original and unique historical documents and photographs, learning archival principals and practice while also increasing their archival skills.
Duties assigned may include digitization and description of documents and/or photographs, processing manuscript collections, research for social media projects, and other duties as assigned.
The Archives Unit is NOT accepting any interns at this time.
EDUCATION UNIT INTERNSHIPS
Interns assist the education coordinator with development of educational materials for
students in grades 2 through 12.
Assistance opportunities exist in educational activity development for the Library's web site
using the library’s digitized archives.
Opportunity also exists for assistance with National History Day coordination and other educational programming.
MUSEUM UNIT INTERNSHIPS
This internship is designed to provide exposure to the museum profession through work in the Truman Library's museum unit. Depending upon the applicant's particular interests and skills, interns will assist the Library staff with exhibit research, design, and production and/or in various aspects of museum collection management. Duties can be as varied as researching and drafting exhibit labels and reference letters, performing basic preservation and artifact inventory tasks, photographing museum objects, or working with the Library's computerized collection management database. Applicants should have solid research skills and basic computer skills. Specialized skills such as audiovisual systems maintenance or production, digital photography, or graphic design are particularly welcome, although not required.
PUBLIC RELATIONS/MARKETING INTERNSHIPS
The Intern assists with public relations and marketing, helping to increase visibility for the Library and its public programs. The public relations/marketing intern will work directly below the Public Programs Officer. Intern will learn fundamentals of marketing and public relations. Duties might include any of the following responsibilities, as well as other, unlisted duties. Develop, write and distribute approved press releases and other press materials; support public program planning and event execution functions; draft advertising copy for events; assist with developing, maintaining and using marketing database, which includes client and prospect information; participate in social media marketing efforts for public programs; and contribute to website content development and design.
In addition to the above areas, opportunities may arise in other programs including the Truman Library Institute and administrative services. Internships are available throughout the year including Fall and Spring semesters and summer months. For these respective "semesters," applications need to be submitted by the following dates: Fall semester: August 1; Spring semester: December 1; Summer months: April 1. Personal interviews are scheduled after we have received the required paperwork. The required paperwork includes: a cover letter and resume; a completed copy of the internship application; a writing sample (this can be a course paper, sample lesson plans for the education internship, or sample work from a creative portfolio for the marketing internship); a copy of your college transcript; and two personal references, one of which must be from a professor.
High School students should visit our High School intern page.
For further information or to request an application, please contact:
Internship Program
Truman Library
500 West U.S. Highway 24
Independence, MO 64050
Phone: 816-268-8207
Fax: 816-268-8295
E-mail: truman.library@nara.gov