American Studies students at OSU have the option of taking an internship related to the humanistic or social scientific study of American culture, politics, and society. Museums, humanities and arts organizations, non-profit organizations, and local, city and state government offices are good places to look for such opportunities. Students must assume responsibility for finding, applying for, and securing internships, but see the list of institutions below for current opportunities and those available on a recurring basis. Internships may be taken for 1-3 credit hours per term. Students are expected to work 5 hours a week for 1 credit hour, 10 hours a week for 2 credit hours, and 15 hours a week for three credit hours.
As soon as you have identified a viable internship possibility, contact Dr. Takacs <stacy.takacs@okstate.edu> to set up an independent section of AMST 4990 Internship in American Studies. Students can receive degree credit for internship work only under this designation.
Specific Internship Opportunities:
Henry Bellmon Leadership Program provides financial assistance for full-time Oklahoma State University undergraduates who will be completing government internships in Washington, D.C. or at a state or federal agency in Oklahoma for the Summer months. The application deadline is usually in April. Contact Missy Dennis in the Arts & Sciences Career Services office (213 LSE) for information (405-744-1189; missy.dennis@okstate.edu)
The Tulsa Historical Society frequently seeks interns to assist with general archive maintenance, as well as upcoming projects. If you re intrested in public hisotry or archive management, this is an invaluable opportunity to gain real world experience. Contact the Historical Society (918-712-9484) to inquire about available opportunities.
The Oklahoma House of Representatives. Since 2005 the House has hosted dozens of interns from 17 different institutions. Most of the students are seniors or juniors who were selected because of their outstanding ability. Applications are usually due at the end of December for the following Spring Semester. Information available at http://www.OKHouse.gov/Internship.
The White House Internship Program seeks qualified applicants every semester. The program provides "a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills. This hands-on program is designed to mentor and cultivate taoday's young leaders, strengthen their understanding of the Executive Office and prepare them for future public serve opportunities." Applications can be found online at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/internships/apply
Anne Ray Internships, Indian Arts Research Center (IARC) offers two nine-month internships (September 1–May 31) to individuals who are recent college graduates, current graduate students, or junior museum professionals interested in furthering their professional museum experience and enhancing their intellectual capacity for contributing to the expanding field and discourse of museum studies. The internships include a $2,200 monthly salary, housing, book allowance, travel to one professional conference, and reimbursable travel. One internship is open to an indigenous individual from the U.S. or Canada, and one internship is open to any U.S. or Canadian citizen meeting the application requirements. To apply or to read the Anne Ray Internship FAQ, please visit
internships.sarweb.org.
Other Places to Look for Internship Opportunities:
National Organizations
- U.S. Department of State <www.state.gov/careers>
- White House Internships <http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/internships>
- Smithsonian Opportunities for Research and Study <www.si.edu/ofg/internopp.htm>
- The National Endowment for the Arts <http://arts.endow.gov/about/Jobs/Internships.html>
- The National Endowment for the Humanities <www.neh.gov/whoweare/NEH_Internships.html>
- The Fund for American Studies <www.dcinternships.org>
- The Society of American Archivists <www.aam-us.org>
- Idealist.org--Action without Borders <www.idealist.org>
- Association of Art Historians <www.aah.org>
- National Public Radio <www.npr.org/about/jobs>
- Fund for Public Interest <www.ff pir.org>
- The Brookings Institute <www.brookings.edu/admin/internships.htm>
- The Heritage Foundation <www.heritage.org/about/sitemap.cfm>
- Everett Public Service Internship Program <www.everettinternships.org>
- The Urban Institute <www.urban.org/about/careers/index.cfm>
Local & State Government Offices
Oklahoma Museums and Public History Centers
- Tulsa Historical Society
- Gilcrease Museum of the Americas
- Philbrook Museum of Art
- The Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art
- Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame
- Greenwood Cultural Center
- Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve (Bartlesville)
- Price Tower Arts Center & Museum (Bartlesville)
- Will Rogers Memorial and Museum (Claremore)
- Museum of Pioneer History (Cheyenne)
- Oklahoma Territorial Museum (Guthrie)
- Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum (Muskogee)
- Route 66 Interpretive Center (Chandler)
- Oklahoma Heritage Museum (OKC)
- Oklahoma History Center (OKC)
- Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum (OKC)
- Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum (OKC)
- Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKC)
- Small towns (Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Owasso, Jenks, etc.) have historical museums, as well.
Tribal Cultural Centers or Tribal Offices
- Cherokee Nation (Tahlequah)
- Chickasaw Nation (Contact Prof. Amanda Cobb)
- Creek Council House & Museum (Okmulgee)
- Five Civilized Tribes Museum (Muskogee, OK)
- Osage Tribal House and Museum (Pawhuska, OK)
- Red Earth Museum and Festival (OKC)
- Others?
Local & State Non-Profit Organizations
- Tulsa City-County Library System
- Oklahoma Humanities Council (Director Ann Thompson)
- Tulsa Arts and Humanities Council (Director Ken Busby)
- The YWCA
- Tulsa Community Foundation