Internships in American Studies

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. See also, the HireOSUGrads website at Career Services.

Internships may be taken for 1-3 credit hours per term. In a normal 16 week semester, 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 (numbers will need to be adjusted for summer semesters).

As soon as you have identified a viable internship opportunity, complete the Intern Agreement in consultation with your proposed supervisor and contact Dr. John Kinder to set up a section of 4990 Internship in American Studies. Students can receive degree credit for internship work only under this designation. Evaluation for the internship consists of a 5-10 page Work Report, a self-evaluation, and a supervisor evaluation. Full details can be found in the Internship Guide.

Specific Internship Opportunities:

U.S. Department of State Opportunities for Students — comprehensive list of opportunities for Undergrads. Many deadlines in September for coming spring and summer. Spring for fall internships.US Foreign Service Internship 2018 — two-year paid summer internship for merit and needs-based candidates with an interest in diplomacy or political science. First year intern in Washington, DC; second year get posted to a foreign US embassy! Applications usually due in September, available online at: https://www.usajobs.gov/ Tulsa Hub. Tulsa Hub, a community cycling workshop and social justice enterprise, provides community education, mechanical training, and, most importantly, transportation options to low-income, homeless, and other disadvantaged or marginalized individuals in the Tulsa community. They are in need of several interns to conduct programming (client-facing), assist with research, planning, and evaluation of programs (non-client-facing), or perform a combination of those tasks, depending on interest and skill level. Client facing activities include: education in cycling programs for adults and youth, or communication and resource coordination between clients and various social service providers in the Tulsa area. Non-client-facing activities include: conducting research on Tulsa transportation history and infrastructure, as well as planning, assessment, and evaluations of programs. Contact Dr. Takacs if you are interested

Oklahoma Oral History Research Program Intern. The OSU Library may have openings for interns to work 10 hours per week for the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program (OOHRP).

Other OSU Library Internships<. Check this link.

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. Deadline: The application deadline is usually in April. Contact Andrea Skimbo in the Arts & Sciences Career Services office (213 LSE) for information (405-744-5658; andrea.skimbo@okstate.edu)

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. Deadline: 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 today’s young leaders, strengthen their understanding of the Executive Office and prepare them for future public serve opportunities.” Applications can be found online at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/about/internships

Department of State’s Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) program. More information on the program is found here, http://www.state.gov/vsfs/. Deadline: U.S. students apply to VSFS once a year in July.

Udall Congressional Internships. Yearly awards for American Indian and Native Alaskan students interested in politics, government, and service to the tribes. Spend the summer in DC learning how the government works. Award includes housing and an educational stipend. Deadline: Applications usually due January 31. Applications can be found at: http://www.udall.gov/ourprograms/mkuscholarship/mkuscholarship.aspx

Anne Ray Internships. The School for Advanced Research, 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. The internships include a stipend, housing, book allowance, travel to one professional conference, and reimbursable travel to and from SAR. 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. For more information visit the site: http://sarweb.org/?internships. Deadline: March 1

Oklahoma Film + Music Office. OF+MO offers an annual summer internship (competitive). They are interested in candidates with experience in film, music, photography, public relations or marketing for specialized projects. Priority will be given to applicants in their junior or senior year seeking course credit. Deadline: Usually at the end of April. Info: https://www.ok.gov/oklahomafilm/JOBS_&_INTERNSHIPS

Other Places to Look for Internship Opportunities:

Oklahoma Museums Association Job Board: http://www.okmuseums.org/jobs/

National Organizations