You may know us at Smithsonian for our museums and collections, but we’re also a global organization actively involved in researching biodiversity, conserving priceless artifacts, preserving tangible and intangible cultural heritage, developing capacity-building programs, and much more. We work in more than 140 countries all over the world, including China, Armenia, Bangladesh, and Peru, to name but a few. Discover the difference we’re making in communities around the world with an internship at the Smithsonian’s Office of International Relations (OIR).
OIR serves as the central point for Institution-wide advice, insight, analysis, and coordination of all international activities of the Institution. OIR’s mission is to leverage the creativity, assets, and expertise of the entire Smithsonian to advance our mission: the increase and diffusion of knowledge. We mobilize communities, scientists, scholars, and partner organizations to exchange ideas and shape creative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, always hoping to inspire the next generation of leaders to join us. Underpinning all of our work internationally is a core focus on partnership and building the capacity of peers around the world. As the central external representative of international programs for the Smithsonian, OIR leads institutional relationships with U.S. government and international organizations, including the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, foreign embassies, and other governmental and private organizations in the U.S. and abroad.
OIR is currently offering an internship to support our office in its day-to-day functioning as it works with large-scale international programs and with international visitors coming from abroad, as well as supporting various communications needs. The internship provides professional development opportunities for students/recent graduates interested in international affairs, communications, history, art & culture, conservation science and other relevant disciplines. The intern will serve primarily in an administrative capacity. The internship has the option to be taken for university credit.
The intern will work with the supervisor to set goals. Duties and learning objectives may include:
- Assist with the flow of incoming international visitors,
- Support organizing and managing programming for international activities.
- Research and document international Smithsonian activities (current and historic).
- Engage with various members of the OIR team to provide project management support.
- Support digital communications, including content research, creation, and analysis.
- Other duties to be decided as needed.
Qualifications:
This position is designed for a degree-seeking graduate or undergraduate student or a recent graduate. Strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel & Word is essential. Prior international experience (study or work abroad), or in a cross- cultural setting is preferred, as well as experience in an office environment. An excellent command of the English language, as well as strong interpersonal skills, is required. Candidate must also be self-motivated, organized, and detail-oriented.
To Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and references (names and contact information) addressed to Sara De La Torre Beron at global@si.edu.
- Summer Internship Application Deadline: March 1
- Fall Internship Application Deadline: July 1
- Spring Internship Application Deadline: October 15
