I liked the collaborative nature and the opportunity for developing leadership skills while being a project lead. The cultural events really supplemented the program well, and allowed for a bonding with my fellow interns.
Applications are closed for the 2024-25 Public Humanities Internship.
Read about the Public Humanities Internship in LSA Magazine.
About the Institute for the Humanities
The Institute for the Humanities at the University of Michigan is a center for innovative, collaborative study in the humanities and arts. We provide fellowships for Michigan faculty, graduate students, visiting scholars, and visiting artists. We offer a wide array of public events, including lectures, panel discussions, art exhibitions, exhibition tours, and artist events.
Located in the Thayer Academic Building (across from MLB), the Institute for the Humanities is a unique unit in the College of LSA. We are not an academic department like "History" or "Philosophy," but rather an institute focused on programming and events. Our mission is to support humanities scholarship at the University of Michigan, to help others better understand our world through engagement with the humanities, and to communicate to our campus and beyond the value of the humanities.
I have a much more holistic view of community-engaged humanities and really see how so many little things and big things can be a part of public engaged humanities.
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-focused newsletter for humanities majors
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:
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.
Through my work at the Institute I met many wonderful people whom I worked alongside. I created and worked on a variety of interesting projects and I was able to practice a new set of professional skills. It was a worthwhile internship and I will continue to look back on it fondly as each year passes.
Questions? Contact Stephanie Harrell, assistant director, undergraduate education & marketing, [email protected].