How about an Internship in Mineral Sciences?

• Smithsonian Internships
• NMNH Internships Page
• NMNH Internship Programs
• Intern Projects Available
• Application Forms & Deadlines
• How to Apply
• Applicant Listing
• Interns FAQ Page
• NMNH Internship Registration & Orientation Guide
• List of Current NMNH Interns
• Smithsonian On-line Intern Orientation
  

Upcoming opportunities
for Internship Application Review

Fall Internship Fair
1 October 2008

Spring Internship Fair
25 March 2009

Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History
Interns & Internships

With 126 million natural history specimens and a professional community of over 500, here at Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History we have a project, place and purpose awaiting you.

Recent Site Updates: 19 Dec 08: Spring Break Intern Projects Available15 Nov 08: List of NMNH Interns 25 Nov 08: Winter Break Intern Projects Available 21 Sep 08: NMNH Intern Projects Available - NEW Featured links from the Archives: Events & Highlights Discover more about serving an academic appointment at NMNH and join in conversation, news and events by visiting our Facebook page and joining the "ARC" group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7307446629 . INTERN APPLICATION INFORMATION Application Form Cover Letter Form Recommendation Form Application Update / Check Status Did you know . . . Although most of our reporting is based on calendar year, the Museum also follows a fiscal year (FY '08: 1 Oct 07 to 30 Sep 08) for annual reporting. From 1 Oct 07 to 31 Dec 07 an additional 25 internship appointments were recorded at NMNH. There were 29 appointments that carried over from ca 2007 to ca 2008. There are 57 appointments that carryed over from FY '08 to FY '09. In FY '08 there were a total of 281 internship appointments administered by the National Museum of Natural History. For comparison, in FY '07 NMNH hosted 239 internship appointments. During FY 08 interns contributed 90,290 hours, an increase of over 10,000 hours (12,968) over last years contributed hours of 77,322 and a significant increase from FY '07 of 58,092 hours. There were 250 new internship appointments started (registered) during FY '08. So, who hosted interns in FY '08? - Office of the Associate Director for External Affairs and Public Programs: 19 interns hosted. Administration: 0 Development: 3 Education: 10 Exhibits: 2 Public Affairs: 4 - Office of the Associate Director for Operations: 11 interns hosted. Administration: 0 Information Technologies: 11 - Office of the Associate Director for Research and Collections: 251 interns hosted. ADRC general: 9 Anthropology: 84 Botany: 28 Entomology: 29 Invertebrate Zoology: 24 Mineral Sciences: 4 Paleobiology: 22 Vertebrate Zoology: 26 (birds: 5, Fish: 9, herps: 3, mammals: 9) Genetics Lab: 1 Marine Station, Ft. Pierce: 24

INTERNSHIPS

Our internships offer student-mentor relationships and career-enhancing experiences for undergraduate, graduate and sometimes even high school students. Whether working directly with the public, contributing to the administration and operation of the facilities, or actively engaged in our scientific pursuits, interns gain valuable job skills, unique insight into our operations, and enliven our community!

Like all internships at the Smithsonian Institution, an internship at Natural History is a prearranged, structured learning experience scheduled within a specific time frame.

The experience must be relevant to the student's academic and professional goals and to the mission of the Museum. An internship is not an independent academic endeavor, but performed under the direct supervision of a Smithsonian sponsor. Most internships provide no financial assistance, housing, or travel award.

ELIGIBILITY - Who can participate

Although special week-long opportunities are sometimes available, internship appointments are generally at least six weeks in duration and require a minimum commitment of 16 hour per week. Students must be at least 16 years old to participate in an internship.

Qualifications vary for each program and project. Some positions may require college or graduate training and/or professional experience. Most require English proficiency in written and oral communication.

PROGRAMS & PROJECTS - What's available

Not only does Natural History offer our own variety of internship programs and specialized projects, we also host interns placed through other Smithsonian programs (e.g. Minority Internship Program, Native American Internship Program, James E. Webb Internship, Smithsonian Affiliations Intern Partnership Program).

There are more than 50 different internship programs at the Smithsonian, plus a general referral. Each program is administered separately, with different processes and deadlines. Some programs have separate application and review processes, a few even have dedicated funding allocated to award stipends.

Internship Programs at NMNH
Internship Projects Available at NMNH

Internships throughout the Smithsonian

APPLICATION PROCESSES - How to apply

AMENITIES - What you get

At Natural History there is an abundance of special programs and seminars - something new every day. Students may also explore the sights of DC and join special activities arranged just for students participating in Smithsonian academic appointments.

During the summer, a Smithsonian-wide Museum Careers Seminar Series is featured including topics such as career planning, choosing a graduate school, and filling out a government job application. The summer highlight is always the annual Intern's Ice Cream Social.

And there's more. Registered interns receive 20% discount at the Smithsonian's gift shops and one free IMAX ticket each week. You also receive discounts at the National Gallery gift shops and eateries and in the winter get a discount on skating and equipment rental at the National Gallery Sculpture Garden Ice Skating Rink, located next to the Natural History Building. In addition, interns are also welcome to attend department lectures and talks.

Smithsonian Calendar of Events
Natural History Calendar of Events
Intern Calendar of Activities (intranet access only)

PLANNING YOUR INTERNSHIP - What to do before you arrive, and once you get here

Each year an average of 650 students are awarded a Smithsonian internship appointment, including more than 150 at Natural History. Many, many more students apply for a position. Keeping up with status inquiries and tracking incoming and outgoing interns can be a challenge. We have prepared several web pages with extensive information detailing everything we could think of. If you don't find what you're looking for, let us know.

NMNH Internship Registration & Orientation Guide
Interns FAQ Page (including insights into finding housing in the DC area)
Smithsonian On-line Intern Orientation Session

PRIOR TO YOUR ARRIVAL - What to do if nominated for an internship

All internship positions at the Smithsonian are now characterized as Non-Critical Sensitive. Internship placements require successful adjudication of a pre-appointment background check. If local to the DC area and reporting for fingerprinting in-person to the Smithsonian Office of Protective Services, we anticipate the background check process to take approximately 10 - 14 days. If non-local, please allow at least 4 weeks for this process to complete BEFORE your planned arrival. All individuals, U.S. citizens and Internationals, nominated for an internship position must undergo a pre-appointment background investigation before an appointment can be confirmed if:

• Requesting an appointment in-residence for 4 weeks or longer
• Meeting the 18 years or older specifications (i.e. Minors, those 16 & 17 year olds are exempt)

Nominees are required to complete an OF 306 Declaration for Federal Employment, a standard form issued by the Office of Personnel Management. The OF 306 is available at the OPM web site as an on-line fill-in form at: http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf.

Nominees are also required to complete an SF 87 Fingerprint Chart (fingerprint card). The SF 87 will be mailed directly by the Smithsonian to individuals nominated for an internship. The SF 87 is not available electronically and cannot be sent via e-mail.

Non-local (to DC/NY) nominees must take the SF 87 to their local law enforcement agency or courthouse to obtain fingerprints. A minimal fee is usually involved. The nominee must then mail the completed OF 306 and SF 87 to the Office of Protection Services.

GENERAL MAIL: Please send your response via the US Postal Service to:

Karen B. Perry Smithsonian Institution Office of Protection Services Personnel Security Division P.O. Box 23793 Washington, DC 20026-3793

We recommend that, minimally, you select First Class mail for timely delivery. To help ensure quicker service we suggest USPS Priority Mail and advise that you request Delivery Confirmation to track and confirm delivery of your response.

EXPRESS MAIL: Should you wish to use a delivery service (FedEx, UPS, etc.), address your response to:

If the nominee is within commuting distance to Washington, DC, they may hand-deliver the completed OF 306 and be fingerprinted on-site at no cost. In addition, nominees having difficulty obtaining the proper fingerprints at their home location may request a deferment to be fingerprinted at the Smithsonian upon their arrival to DC.

The Smithsonian Office of Protection Services is located at 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Suite 4036. Office Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

If you have questions regarding the process, or the status of your submitted documents, please contact Karen B. Perry, Chief, Personnel Security Office phone: (202) 633-1722 or e-mail: ops.pso@si.edu.

The Smithsonian Office of Protection Services (OPS) contracts the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to conduct all investigations. Based upon the investigation results, OPS determines the nominee's suitability for a position at the Smithsonian. The turnaround time for investigation results is about 10 days from the time information is received by OPS from the nominee.

OPS will notify the NMNH Head of Acaedmic Services when an investigation is closed. They will then contact the nominee to extend a formal internship offer, and provide further detail.