GRADUATE INTERNSHIPS

IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Who must complete an internship?

Master's degree candidates in history with a preservation emphasis are encouraged to complete an internship.

When will I do my internship?

Before beginning an internship, the student must have completed sixteen hours of graduate course work.

How much credit do I receive for my internship?

Graduate internships are worth three hours of credit toward the degree.

How do I enroll for my internship?

Historic preservation graduate internships are listed as course number HP640. You must obtain permission to enroll from the internship coordinator.

What must I do to receive a grade and credit for my internship?

Each internship must involve at least 150 hours of work at an appropriate facility. The work done must be sufficiently varied and challenging to provide a significant learning experience. Students should inform the internship coordinator of the plan of work. The internship coordinator must make contact with the supervisor of the work, in order to insure that internships are a valuable experience for the student.

In order to receive a grade for the internship, students must complete the following:

·        a concise daily journal of activities during the internship

·        a substantial typewritten report on a special project involving significant research or a professional level of activity*

·        a 30-minute oral presentation on the intern's experiences (to be presented to an audience of historic preservation students) OR a ten-page paper describing the internship experience

* The student and the internship coordinator should agree in advance on a special project.

Where can I do my internship?

Students should take the initiative in arranging an internship at a museum, archival facility, historic site, or historical agency. In the past students have completed internships with the National Trust for Historic Preservation (Washington, D.C.), the National Park Service Historic Preservation Training Center (Frederick, Maryland), Gettysburg National Battlefield (Pennsylvania), Vicksburg National Military Park (Mississippi), the United States Army Corps of Engineers (St. Louis, Mo., and Vicksburg, Ms.), Conner Prairie (Indiana), the Navy Museum (Washington, D.C.), the Indiana State Historic Preservation Office, the Eugene Field House and Toy Museum (St. Louis), the Samuel Cupples House (St. Louis), the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Missouri Historical Society (St. Louis), the Missouri State Archives, the Missouri State Museum, the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office, the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office, the New Jersey State Historic Preservation Office, and many other historical agencies.

The Southeast Missouri State University Historic Preservation Program has on-going arrangements for internships with the following facilities:

Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Van Buren, MO

The National Park Service preserves both natural and cultural resources in this beautiful corridor along the Jacks Fork and Current rivers in southern Missouri. Interns have opportunities to work in preservation of historic buildings, curation of museum collections, and the processing of archives. Housing and a stipend are generally offered.

Andersonville National Historic Site (Georgia)

The National Park Service preserves and interprets the prisoner of war camp at Andersonville and the Carter Home at Plains, Georgia. A new national prisoner of war museum recently opened. A stipend is offered.

Blue Ridge Parkway (National Park Service), Asheville, NC

The National Park Service preserves and interprets cultural and natural resources along this scenic highway through mountains and valleys in North Carolina and Virginia. Under the supervision of the Curator, interns learn NPS museum methods and participate in day-to-day activities in the curatorial office. Housing is provided, and some expenses are covered. The intern must have a vehicle.

Felix Valle House State Historic Site, Ste. Genevieve, MO

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources owns, preserves, and administers several historic properties in Ste. Genevieve. Interns offer interpretive tours and programs. A stipend is provided through Les Amis, the Friends, of the site.

The internship coordinator maintains files on these and other facilities. Set your sights high. Explore the possibilities. Opportunities abound.

How do I apply for an internship?

The first step is to write a letter of interest to the agency offering the internship. You may also write a letter of inquiry to an agency, if you are not sure the agency offers internships. In this letter, identify yourself, explain your intentions, and briefly state your qualifications. You may enclose a resume with this letter, or you may offer to send a resume later.

Prepare a resume that highlights your field experience, academic training, and special interest in preservation. If you need assistance, ask an instructor or the internship coordinator. Sample resumes are available from the coordinator.

If the agency expresses interest in your application, submit all forms and materials they request. Make telephone contact with someone in the agency. Inform the internship coordinator of your progress. When negotiations become serious, the coordinator will contact the agency to explain our internship program.

Please be sure to be courteous and businesslike in dealing with the agency. When in doubt, talk to the coordinator.

Will I be paid for my internship?

Many students receive stipends, wages, or some sort of financial support from the facilities at which they do their internship. Arrangements must be made directly with the facility.

Paid internships in historic preservation are also available through the following program:

National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE)

NCPE offers a variety of internships on a competitive basis every year. Students must apply for these internships. You may obtain application forms an information from the internship coordinator.

Is there anything else I should know?

While engaged in the internship, the student should maintain a cheerfully professional attitude. Interns should report to work promptly, fulfill all assignments to the best of their ability, discuss problems with supervisors and co-workers in a calm and constructive manner, and contact the internship coordinator if problems become serious. Whether paid or unpaid, an internship is a job. Interns should honor all commitments to the facilities that employ them.

The internship coordinator will be more than happy to assist in submitting applications, preparing resumes, and setting up internships. Please feel free to call Dr. Steven Hoffman at 651-2808, or email him at shoffman@semo.edu.