Public Humanities Internship Program

About the Public Humanities Internship

Now in its fourth year, the Public Humanities Internship is a paid internship program that provides 8 selected undergraduate students at the University of Michigan with the unique opportunity to participate in the life of the Institute for the Humanities. Interns, under the direction of the assistant director for undergraduate student engagement & marketing, interact with faculty, curators, staff, visiting artists, and other members of our community to explore humanities topics and ideas. They then turn those conversations into humanities-related programs and events geared toward undergraduate students. Interns work 7-10 hours/week and are paid $18/hour.

Past intern-organized projects include:

• Parable Paint Night and Octavia’s Spaces in Community Places Scavenger Hunt, organized as part of the Institute’s Octavia Butler Week

• Pizza, Paint, & Polaroids, in conjunction with an exhibition in the Institute for the Humanities Gallery

• Afrofuture Bingo, organized as part of the Institute’s Humanities Afrofutures month

• Humanities Career Panel

• Humanities-focused newsletter for humanities majors

• Humanities Trivia Night. 

Through this internship, you will:

• Increase your understanding of public scholarship and of the contribution of the humanities to the cultivation of a just and equitable society

• Increase your understanding of how humanities knowledge and skills from within the university can be applied outside the university 

• Develop teamwork skills as you work collaboratively with the other interns on projects

• Acquire leadership experience (each intern will be mentored to take the lead on at least one project)

• Gain skills in event planning and promotion, from concept to realization

• Learn how to develop and carry out a successful event marketing plan.

Time Commitment:

• This internship is a valuable, interesting, and fun learning experience. It is also a job that requires a professional commitment to the program and your peer interns. As such, interns are expected to prioritize the internship over other extracurricular activities and employment.

• Interns must be available Wednesday evenings from 6-8pm to attend the weekly group dinner meetings

• In addition to the weekly 2-hour group meeting, each intern works 5-8 hours per week in person at the Institute for the Humanities

• Interns attend and run all events and programs organized by the Public Humanities Interns  

• Each intern attends and works at 2 Institute for the Humanities events (not organized by the interns) per semester

• This internship runs from September 2024- April 2025. Students who are considering studying abroad in either semester are not eligible; students must be in residence both semesters of the academic year.

Required Qualifications:

• Undergraduate student with junior or senior status as of fall of 2024
  
  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
  
  
• Strong interest in the humanities
  
  
• Ability to think creatively and contribute innovative ideas
  
  
• Some experience planning or publicizing events desired
  
  
• Recommendation from a previous employer or internship supervisor (e.g., restaurant manager, campus job supervisor, etc.).

To apply, submit the following by May 17, 2024:

• Application Form.

• Attach your resume to the application form. Please do not submit a cover letter; the application form serves as your cover letter.

• The application form includes questions about your recommender. We will send them instructions.

Important Dates:

• Applications are due May 17, 2024 

• Semi-finalists will be notified by May 31, 2024

• Semi-finalist Zoom interviews will take place June 10 - June 21, 2024 

• Finalists will be notified and offer letters will be sent by July 5, 2024.