Exploring Internship Opportunities: Focus on the Smithsonian's Benjamin Lawless Program and Beyond

Internships play a crucial role in shaping a student's academic and professional journey. They offer hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and a chance to apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios. For students interested in history, museums, arts, and culture, numerous internships and fellowships are available, providing invaluable insights and skills. This article will delve into various internship opportunities, with a special focus on the Smithsonian's Benjamin Lawless Internship, along with other notable programs for high school and college students.

The Value of Internships in History and Related Fields

Internships in museums, historical societies, or other institutions significantly enhance college applications, demonstrating a student's commitment to the subject. These experiences provide historical knowledge and insights into practical applications, making candidates stand out in the competitive college admissions process. Eisterhold Associates believes that learning and enculturation can happen in many ways, pushing boundaries with educational opportunities that often go beyond the usual design practice in museums.

Smithsonian Institution: A Hub for Diverse Internships

The Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, offers a wide array of internship opportunities for high school students, college students, and non-student adults. With 21 museums, a National Zoo, and 14 education and research centers, the Smithsonian provides internships in diverse fields such as art, history, science, digital media, finance, accounting, fundraising, public affairs, human resources, and information technology.

Applying to Smithsonian Internships

To apply for Smithsonian internships, candidates must create an account on the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA). The application process typically requires uploading a resume, two letters of recommendation, a school transcript, and an essay or video. Each internship has specific requirements, so it is essential to review the details for each program of interest.

Spotlight on the Benjamin Lawless Internship

The Benjamin Lawless Internship at the Smithsonian is a unique opportunity for rising high school seniors interested in art and art history. Named after Benjamin Lawless, a renowned exhibition planner, designer, author, and Emmy-winning filmmaker, this program allows interns to explore exhibition design, audience engagement, and the stories behind the Smithsonian's collections.

Program Details

This paid internship offers students a chance to delve into the narrative potential of artifacts and understand the relationship between culture, history, and narrative. Interns work full-time for five weeks, crafting narratives based on their experiences at the museum. Smithsonian staff members provide mentorship and assistance, creating a rich learning environment. The program encourages interns to express their talents through various creative media.

Terms Available: Summer
Location: Remote
Stipend: $3,200 ($400/week)
Eligibility: Rising senior high school students
Application Deadline: Rolling basis, typically around March

Additional History and Museum Internship Opportunities

Besides the Benjamin Lawless Internship, several other programs cater to students passionate about history and museum studies.

Young Ambassadors Program (YAP)

The Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) is a college preparation and leadership initiative by the Smithsonian. It focuses on developing community-aware leaders in the arts, sciences, and humanities. Participants engage in networking, mentoring, and hands-on experiences. YAP assists students in exploring career options and gaining skills for academic and professional achievement.

Location: 19 cities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, including Smithsonian-affiliated institutions
Program Dates: One-week training seminar in Washington, D.C. followed by five weeks of collaboration with museum professionals
Eligibility: High school students
Stipend: Provided upon graduation

New-York Historical Society Internship

This internship offers rigorous academic experience, allowing participants to collaborate on innovative digital projects, interact with museum professionals, and hone research and communication skills.

Location: New-York Historical Society, New York City
Program Dates: October 23, 2024 - June 11, 2025 (Wednesdays, 4:30-7 pm)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10, 11, or 12; must live and attend school in the NYC metropolitan area
Deadline: September 22, 2024

Gilder Lehrman Institute Summer Internship Program

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History offers online internships for high school students interested in American history, museum professions, and educational programming. Interns gain experience in museum collections, digital initiatives, and public programming.

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Location: Online
Program Dates: June-August (flexible start and end dates)
Cost: Free (stipend of $16.50/hour)
Eligibility: High school students
Deadline: March 28, 2025 (for Summer 2025)

NARA Voluntary Internship Program

The NARA Voluntary Internship Program provides students and graduates with firsthand experience in archival processing, public history, conservation, records management, and other fields related to the preservation of American history.

Location: Various NARA facilities throughout the United States
Program Dates: Summer (late May/early June through August), Fall (September through late November/early December), Spring (late January/early February through April)
Cost: Unpaid (voluntary internship); may be done for academic credit
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, or graduate students; recent graduates; U.S. citizen; minimum 16 years of age
Deadlines: Vary by session

Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program - High School Division

This program inspires underrepresented and diverse high school juniors from New York City to consider law as a career. Interns assist state or federal judges in NYC, gaining insights into the legal system.

Program Dates: Orientation in May 2025; Internship and programming throughout July 2025
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Rising seniors in summer 2025; must live and attend school within one of NYC's five boroughs
Deadline: January 31, 2025

Other Notable Internship Programs

Beyond history and museum-focused internships, numerous other programs offer valuable experiences for high school students.

Stanford Summer Humanities Institute

The Stanford Summer Humanities Institute is a pre-college opportunity for high school students interested in literature, history, philosophy, and the arts. Students live in the Stanford environment and learn from diverse peers.

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, California
Program Dates: Session 1: June 22 - July 4, 2025; Session 2: July 13 - July 25, 2025
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th grade high school students
Deadlines: February 1, 2025 (priority); March 15, 2025 (final)

Social Justice Research Academy - University of Pennsylvania

The Social Justice Research Academy at the University of Pennsylvania convenes high school students to explore social justice issues. Students are taught by Penn faculty and visiting experts, acquiring leadership, research, and analytical capabilities.

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Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Program Dates: July 5 - July 26, 2025
Cost: $8,399 (tuition, housing, and meals; need-based scholarships available)

Seeds of Change’s Tropical Field Research Program

This program offers students hands-on field research experience in Liberia, Costa Rica, where they will immerse themselves in hands-on field research amongst the expansive biodiversity of a tropical rainforest.

Terms Available: Spring, Summer, Winter

Projects Abroad’s High School Specials

Projects Abroad offers international volunteer, internship, and meaningful travel experiences. High School Specials are overseas volunteer opportunities for teenagers aged 15 to 18.

Terms Available: Summer
Examples: Diving and Marine Conservation in Thailand, Human Rights Internship in Argentina, Medical Internship in Nepal, Shark Conservation in Fiji

NASA OSTEM Internships

NASA OSTEM internships are paid full-time or part-time internships that allow students to contribute to NASA’s mission.

Terms Available: Summer and Fall
Examples: ESEA-Equity Strategies for Emerging Aviation, Materials Processing for Space Nuclear Propulsion, Pneumatic Shock System - Methods and Development

Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)

YYGS welcomes high school students from around the world to explore, learn, and connect on their campus.

Terms Available: Summer
Sessions: Innovations in Science and Technology, Literature, Philosophy, and Culture, Politics, Law, and Economics, Solving Global Challenges

Publishing Internships for High School Students

For high school students interested in publishing, internships offer invaluable practical experience and exposure to the inner workings of the industry.

Penguin Random House Summer Remote Internship: Subsidiary Rights

This remote internship allows interns to work in the Subsidiary Rights Department, gaining firsthand experience in managing the licensing of book rights.

Cost: Paid internship ($21/hour)
Internship Dates: Summer (June - August, 10 weeks, 28 hours/week)
Eligibility: High school seniors over the age of 18
Application Deadline: October 13

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Internship

The Met's school-year internship program is intended especially for New York City high school sophomores and juniors. It places students in a museum where they work in social media, marketing, editorial, and education, among other areas.

Location: New York
Cost: Paid internship (about a $1, 100 stipend)
Internship Dates: Summer Program: June- August, School-year Program: January- June
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadlines: Summer Program: March 8, School- year Program: October 28

Project Write Now

This NGO helps young people develop their writing abilities, with internship options including instructional support, interview projects, and editing work.

Location: Virtual
Cost: Unpaid
Internship Dates: Eight Weeks: October 3 - December 19
Eligibility: High school students between ages 15-18
Application Deadline: Typically in April

City Limits CLARIFY Program

This program offers high school students an immersive public service journalism experience, focusing on social justice issues in New York City.

Location: Virtual and In-person at CUNY Brooklyn or CUNY York College
Cost: $500 paid at the end of the program
Internship dates: Fall: (8 Weeks) Oct-Dec
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors residing within New York City
Application deadline: Typically Mid-June

Teen Interns at the Milwaukee Public Library (MPL)

Interns play a key role in organizing youth programming and library events, creating social media content, and leading teen outreach programs.

Location: Milwaukee Public Library, Central Library, and other branches
Cost: Starting salary is $15.92 per hour, with a resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents at $16.40 per hour
Internship Dates: Year-round
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-18
Application Deadline: Year-round

Bloomberg Art Internships- Bloomberg Philanthropies

This is a paid summer internship program introducing high school students to careers in the arts, culture, and creative industries.

Location: Baltimore, Boston, Detroit, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
Eligibility: High school juniors transitioning to senior year
Application Deadline: Opens in March

Lumiere Research Scholar Program

For students interested in pursuing independent research, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers selective online high school programs.

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