Internships

For some people, the study of history will lead to a career in an historical agency such as an archives or museum. “Public History” is the term applied to the work of agencies that preserve historical documents and artifacts for the purpose of making them available to an interested public. For the student planning a career with an historical agency, or for the student who wants to become more familiar with the functioning of an archive, an internship can be a valuable learning experience. History 680 and 880 are the Department of History's internship courses; 680 is for undergraduate credit, 880 for graduate credit. These courses became a part of the curriculum in order to provide students both the opportunity to supplement their classroom learning with on-site experience and also the opportunity to apply things learned in the classroom in an actual work setting. History 680 and 880 are different in several ways from most other course offerings. There are no regularly scheduled class meetings. Instead, the student earns academic credit for learning while working at an historical agency in the Bay Area. The internship is simultaneously a work experience and a learning experience. Students who wish to undertake an internship with an historical agency have a number from which to choose. For example, in the recent past, student interns have worked in the following institutions: 

The preceding list should be considered only a partial list of suggestions. Students are encouraged to explore the possibility of working at other archives and museums which fall into their field of interest. Internships in museum work, historical editing and historic preservation are also available. The intern coordinator may also have other suggestions. The Career Services Office also has a great deal of information on paths to internships and employment.