Your Guide to Summer Internships in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., the heart of American politics and culture, offers a wealth of summer internship opportunities for students and recent graduates. These internships provide invaluable professional experience, networking opportunities, and a chance to immerse oneself in the city's vibrant atmosphere. This article explores various internship programs in Washington, D.C., focusing on opportunities within the Smithsonian Institution, the White House, international organizations, and other noteworthy programs.

Smithsonian Institution Internships

The Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum complex, provides a diverse array of internship programs across its many museums, research centers, and offices. These internships cater to a wide range of interests and academic backgrounds, offering hands-on experience in various fields.

National Museum of Natural History (NMNH)

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) hosts several internship programs, including the Natural History Research Experiences (NHRE) for undergraduates. This 10-week summer internship program, running from early June to early August, immerses interns in research projects. The NMNH also offers a Summer High School Internship for current high school students aged 14 to 18, providing insights into museum work within the Entomology and Exhibits departments. For those with a passion for science communication, the museum seeks a science writing intern to develop their skills in an active communications and public affairs office.

National Air and Space Museum

The National Air and Space Museum offers a structured summer internship program that provides firsthand experience working in a museum setting. This 10-week program, lasting from early June through early August, offers a unique introduction to museum work and opportunities to expand on previous experience. The program includes professional development opportunities and enrichment activities.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Internships at the National Museum of African American History and Culture provide undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates, the chance to collaborate with professionals and scholars in the museum field. The museum offers a dynamic learning environment and supportive mentorship to help interns achieve their academic and professional goals. Interns receive a stipend while gaining practical museum skills and program development experience.

National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI)

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) offers internships during the Fall, Winter/Spring, and Summer terms at its locations in Washington, D.C., Suitland, MD (Cultural Resources Center), and New York City (George Gustav Heye Center). NMAI is dedicated to equity and social justice for Native/Indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere through education, inspiration, and empowerment. The museum stewards a vast collection of Native American cultural heritage, comprising approximately 825,000 items representing over 12,000 years of history and more than 1,200 Indigenous cultures throughout the Americas.

National Portrait Gallery

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery offers formal internships to qualified applicants seeking a creative and exciting museum experience. A Smithsonian internship is a prearranged, structured learning experience that takes place during the fall, spring, or summer semester.

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

The Peter A. Krueger Summer Internship Program at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, offers undergraduate students the opportunity to develop professional skills and learn about museum practices.

Other Smithsonian Opportunities

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC): APAC engages communities in innovative ways, transcending boundaries and barriers.
Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage: This center involves over a hundred interns in various activities each year, focusing on folklore, cultural anthropology, ethnomusicology, and related fields.
Latino Museum Studies Program (LMSP): This paid 12-week program offers hands-on training opportunities in non-curatorial subfields to participants interested in museum careers.
Office of the Registrar: Interns in this office gain experience in the care, tracking, and transport of the permanent collection, accession file management, and collections information database management.
Publications Department: This internship provides an excellent opportunity to learn about editing and museum publishing.
Office of Advancement: Internships in the Office of Advancement are geared towards candidates interested in fundraising and development-oriented careers.
Office of Public Affairs: Interns help uncover and share stories of American women’s history through traditional and social media.
Digitization Program Office (DPO): This office focuses on the Smithsonian’s digitization efforts.
Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO): OCIO provides central computing and telecommunications services for the Smithsonian.
Smithsonian Associates: Interns learn about all aspects of educational programming for adults and children.
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO): The SAO Summer Intern Program is a 10-week NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) internship.
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC): SERC provides science-based knowledge to meet environmental challenges.
Smithsonian Gardens: This program offers an array of public garden learning experiences.

The Fund for American Studies (TFAS)

The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) program offers a unique opportunity to intern in Washington, D.C. The program includes academic credit from George Mason University, an internship, and furnished housing in the heart of Washington, D.C. TFAS students gain over 250 hours of professional experience, expand their network of contacts, and develop a greater understanding of career opportunities.

TFAS participants have consistently praised the program for its transformative impact. For example:

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Caleb Davis, Wheaton College Intern, Lobbyit: "This summer in Washington, D.C., has been one of the best, if not the best, of my life."
Jaidan Bhakta, Arizona State University Intern, National Automatic Merchandising Association: "There has never been a dull moment for me during these past two months."
Pranav Kurapati, Indiana University Bloomington Intern, Mehlman Consulting: "I could have spent every minute of my time in D.C. visiting museums and seeing the sights, and I would still have so much to see. My experiences with my peers were so significant."
Stephen Austin II, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Intern, Praescient Analytics: "The TFAS program has profoundly impacted my understanding of American values. The emphasis on liberty, free enterprise, and constitutional government has given me a renewed appreciation for the principles that underpin our democracy."
Mary-Claire Spurgin, Lewis & Clark College Intern, Partnership for Transparency Fund: "Living and working in DC has been a dream of mine since I was a child… Because of the amazing help provided this program, I have enjoyed a completely transformative summer."
Will French, United States Air Force Academy Intern, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives: "Never in my life have I ever been surrounded by such a diverse group of people, with diverse career interests, and diverse ideological views."
Rylie DeWeese, Clemson University Intern, The Well News: "I was also lucky enough to live and work in the magical city of D.C. for two months. This summer has greatly solidified my desire to both live in D.C. and pursue a career in the legal and government spheres."
Angela McCallum, Clemson University Intern, Citizens Against Government Waste: "This program gave me the courage to go up and shake the hand of someone I respect… Attending every extra event and having the courage to simply introduce myself connected me to many people, who are so willing to help me start a career in D.C."
Nicolas Zarbin, Lafayette College Intern, US-Taiwan Business Council: "TFAS has enabled me to set myself up for success. Being in DC has given me a significant edge in my career."

The White House Internship Program

The White House Internship Program is a public service leadership program that offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills. Interns support the President, First Lady, and White House staff, contributing their time, talents, energy, and service to better the White House and the Nation. Intern responsibilities vary by department, but all interns participate in weekly events, including a speaker series and professional development opportunities.

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Internships

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) offers paid internships at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., as well as in its offices throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Europe, and at the Institute for the Integration of Latin America and the Caribbean (INTAL) in Argentina. These internships provide opportunities at the IDB, IDB Invest, and IDB Lab. Interns work in a hybrid modality with teams during the program. To be eligible, applicants must be citizens of any of the 48 member countries and this must be their first job at the IDB, IDB Invest, or IDB Lab.

Other Internship Considerations

Eligibility: Always carefully review the eligibility requirements for each internship program, including citizenship, academic standing, and any specific skills or qualifications.
Application Deadlines: Pay close attention to application deadlines, as they can vary significantly. For example, applications for Summer 2025 internships at the National Museum of African American History and Culture were due by March 14, 2025.
Resume/CV: Tailor your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to the specific requirements of each internship program.
Location: Consider the location of the internship. While many opportunities are based in Washington, D.C., some programs offer internships in other cities or countries. For instance, the IDB has offices across Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in Asia and Europe.
Program Structure: Understand the structure of the internship program, including the duration, work schedule, and any required activities or events.
Financial Support: Inquire about stipends, housing assistance, or other forms of financial support that may be available.

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