Museum interns receive a stipend for their work. After 4 weeks, interns receive $1,000, and upon completion of their internship (8 or more weeks), they will receive an additional $1,000.
We are also able to participate in university internship credit programs. Please contact your college counselor or advisor for more information on receiving college credit for an internship and be sure to include any institutional requirements for receiving credit when you apply.
Deadlines and Applications Information
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; however, priority is given to early applicants. Winter interns are typically selected by December 1, Spring by February 1, Summer by April 1, and Fall by August 1.
- Fall, Winter, and Spring interns must commit to working at least 20 hours/week for a minimum of 12 weeks during a selected work period.
- Summer interns who commit to working at least 32 hours/week for a minimum of 8 weeks are preferred.
- Some positions may require select evening or weekend availability to accommodate special events.
- The Museum seeks diversity in its internship program and provides equal opportunity to all applicants.
- The Museum requires that interns clear a background screening administered by our Director of Security and a third-party screening firm. Results are confidential.
Intern Positions
Action Reconciliation Service for Peace (ARSP) Interns
Action Reconciliation Service for Peace is committed to working toward reconciliation and peace, as well as fighting racism, discrimination and social exclusion. Every year around 180 volunteers, mostly aged between nineteen and twenty five are active for ARSP in thirteen different countries on a variety of educational, historical, political and social projects.
Collections Intern
The overall goal of the collections management internship is to gain an understanding and gather experience in collections management and registration practices within a museum environment. In addition, interns in collections management will learn proper object handling methods, re-housing, and documentation of the collections through cataloging and digitization. Other projects may include research projects within the collection and on policies and procedures.
Summer 2024 applications for this internship are closed. Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 applications will be available soon.
Illinois Holocaust Museum’s scope of collection focuses on the events and experiences associated with the Holocaust and the Nazi occupation of Europe between 1933 – 1945. To properly understand the associated events, pre-Holocaust and immediate post-Holocaust time frames are also included in the scope of the collection. The Museum also accepts materials related to Holocaust war crimes trials; testimonies about the Holocaust and its aftermath; materials regarding restitution efforts; and materials related to the Neo-Nazi attempted march on Skokie in the 1970s.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Assisting with cataloging, condition reporting, and inventorying of collections
- Improving upon and data entry of records into the museum’s database
- Digitizing collections includes scanning and photography
- Assisting with registration work; filing, general documentation of the collections
- Curatorial research and label writing
Qualifications desired:
- College level experience or equivalent preferred
- Must be able to handle confidential and sensitive information
- Must be detail-oriented
- Have excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Possess the ability to see projects through completion
- Ability to work well independently and with others
- Ability to lift and carry moderately heavy objects which may include climbing, balancing, sitting, and standing for long periods
- Ability to safely handle and transport artworks
- Familiarity with database programs like Excel or museum collections database programs
- Basic knowledge of history, art history, and/ or an interest in museum studies preferred.
- Some experience/knowledge of digital photography and/or previous office or museum experiences
- Knowledge of second language (French, German, Polish, Russian, etc.) a plus
Internship Schedule:
Flexible during Museum administrative office hours (Monday-Friday 9 am to 5 pm).
Available for Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer Terms. However, Summer Interns must commit to a 32 hour per week schedule to be considered.
Education Intern
The Education Intern assists the Education Department with organization, scheduling, and public outreach as the Museum continues to grow and educate the Midwest region about the Holocaust and genocide. The Education Department works with school groups to expand knowledge and understanding of the Holocaust and hosts continued training for teachers who wish to enrich their classroom curriculum. The Department also works closely with survivors who educate students and adult by sharing their personal stories.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Actively participating as a member of the Education Department wherever need arises
- Scheduling field trips, group tours, and volunteer docents
- Assisting visitors in Museum exhibitions
- Producing presentations for outside organizations
- Preparing and organizing materials for training of docents and teachers
- Editing written materials
- Sharing ideas for Department programming, curriculum
- Effectively communicating Museum policy by phone and email
Qualifications:
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Intermediate to advanced computer skills
- Microsoft Office proficiency required (Word, Excel, Outlook)
- Experience with Blackbaud’s Patron Edge/Raiser’s Edge and scheduling software preferred
- Tech-savvy/quick learning
- Professional and mature attitude; Patience in working with volunteers and museum visitors of all ages
- Creative problem-solving
- Ability to multi-task and flexibility in juggling assignments
Internship Schedule:
Flexible during museum administrative office hours (Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm).
Available for Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer Terms. However, Summer Interns must commit to a 32 hour per week schedule to be considered.
Hospitality Intern
Illinois Holocaust Museum is actively looking for a student to support group sales/event planning department and our visitor services department. In this internship, the student will be exposed to front-of-the-house management and operations and the group sales process from sales through execution. They will work daily with individual Museum visitors and those visiting as part of our group tour program.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Assist final sales process for group tours, including::
- Assist with confirmation of “final” numbers, food orders, and payment with client
- Assist with distribution of daily group schedules for Docents, Volunteers, and Security
- Assist with the “meet & greet” for group
- Assist with lunch preparation and set-up
- Assist in food service inventory control
- Assist with communicating with food vendors – completing purchase orders and placing orders in a timely manner
- Post-visit, assist with communicating with group leaders to ensure customer satisfaction
- Assist with private events as needed
Qualifications desired:
- Promote an overall positive visitor experience; have a pleasant and positive disposition
- Be able to lift 15 lbs
- Be able to think on one’s feet, handle last-minute changes, and deal with a variety of personalities in a positive manner
- Contribute to marketing initiatives with original thoughts and ideas
- Good writer and communicator
Internship Schedule:
Flexible during museum administrative office hours (Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm).
Available for Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer Terms. However, Summer Interns must commit to a 32 hour per week schedule to be considered. Applicants should have some availability Thursday evenings and Sundays.
Information Technology Intern
The candidate must have or be progressing towards a degree in an Information Technology or related field including Computer Science/Engineering, Technology and Art, or New Media Arts. The I.T. Intern must exhibit a basic knowledge of desktop computing, and willingness to learn.
Responsibilities will be discussed based on the qualifications of the candidate.
Experience desired:
- Basic knowledge of Active Directory
- Basic PC hardware skills
- User support and customer service skills
- Software support / installation
- Assist with Inventory
- Basic Help Desk troubleshooting
- Assist with technology projects
- AV Setup for Events
- Desktop OS installation / rebuild / upgrades
- Printer troubleshooting
- Smart phone assistance
Qualifications desired:
- PC hardware coursework or experience
- Software troubleshooting coursework or experience
- Attention to details
- Good communication skills
- Basic knowledge of ITIL processes (certificate not required)
- People person with great customer service skills
- Willingness to learn is a must!
Internship Schedule:
Flexible during museum administrative office hours (Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm).
Available for Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer Terms. However, Summer Interns must commit to a 32 hour per week schedule to be considered.
Marketing Intern
The Marketing Intern will work directly with the Vice President of Marketing and Business Development on a variety of projects that support the Museum’s mission through social media, marketing and public relations initiatives.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Help to craft and disseminate Museum newsletters
- Maintain archive of Museum publicity
- Report on email and social activity
- Submit events to online calendars
- Other duties on an as-needed basis which may include clerical or research-based functions
Qualifications desired:
- Candidate should be pursuing a BA or MA in the following fields:
- Marketing, Communications, Journalism, PR, or related field
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Candidates must be well organized, creative, flexible, and detail oriented
- Must be able to handle a wide range of responsibilities as well as possess a “can do” attitude
- Must have outstanding written and oral communication skills
- Familiarity with major email and social media platforms and trends
- Prior knowledge of the Holocaust and other genocides is a plus, but not a requirement
- Physical Requirements: May need to climb up and down stairs; to bend, stoop, and lift or move materials and retrieve files; to pull/push, lift, and carry up to 25 pounds; and to reach both above and below shoulder height
Internship Schedule:
Flexible during museum administrative office hours (Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm).
Available for Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer Terms. However, Summer Interns must commit to a 32 hour per week schedule to be considered.
Visitor Services Intern
The Visitor Services Intern works with Marketing & Communications to promote a positive visitor experience. This may include assisting in admissions, addressing visitor inquiries, troubleshooting issues as they arise, helping complete gift shop orders, and setting up for special programs. This is a fast-paced position that requires someone detail-oriented with the ability to prioritize and multi-task. Occasional weekends and evenings may be required.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Address visitor inquiries
- Troubleshoot front of the house issues
- Assist in admissions with ticket sales
- Assist with gift shop including ordering, inventory, and merchandising
- Assist with updating/creating training materials for volunteers
- Assist with scheduling volunteers
- Be available on occasional Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons to support special programs
Qualifications desired:
- Promote an overall positive visitor experience; have a pleasant and positive disposition
- Be able to lift 15 lbs
- Have the ability to think on one’s feet, handle last-minute changes, and deal with a variety of personalities in a positive manner
- Contribute to marketing initiatives with original thoughts and ideas
- Good writer and communicator
Internship Schedule:
Flexible during museum administrative office hours (Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm). Occasional weekends and nights may be required.
Available for Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer Terms. However, Summer Interns must commit to a 32 hour per week schedule to be considered. Applicants should have some availability Thursday evenings and Sundays.
This is an unpaid internship with flexible hours.