current internships in American Studies
Updated 02.08.06
American Studies internships employ knowledge gained from a variety of disciplines and fields to explore projects in historic preservation, historical research, museum work, archives, planning, social welfare, law, and economic development. Interns receive academic credit and, in most cases, a stipend for their work.
Internships are an important way in which students can apply their education to the communities surrounding the university. Such experiences are particularly valuable for students in American Studies. Completed projects are good ways of defining career goals and demonstrating competencies; they also respond to community questions and needs and are therefore important in enriching the public culture in which we participate.
American Studies maintains a list of current internship opportunities nationwide, and program staff work on a regular basis with organizations throughout Wyoming to develop new positions. Staff can also help develop student-initiated ideas into accredited internships. Students interested in pursuing an internship should schedule a meeting with Mary Humstone or Fred Chapman to discuss their interests and find out about potential opportunities.
All students receiving an internship position through the American Studies program must register for at least one credit of AMST summer internship (AMST 4970/5990). Additional credits can be earned, based on hours of service and satisfactory completion of the project. Grading is satisfactory/unsatisfactory only. American Studies graduate and undergraduate students can apply to the Long-Findeisen Fund for scholarships to cover the cost of one credit of internship tuition.
Internship stipends are generally $1,000 - $1,500 per month, depending on funds available from the sponsoring organization. In some cases the sponsoring organization can provide lodging and other services.
In addition to an agreed-upon work plan, interns commit to submitting to the internship instructor at the end of the work period a work journal and a 5-8 page paper placing the internship into the context of the student’s individual educational and professional goals. Interns may also be asked to give an oral presentation in a student-faculty symposium.
