Museum Studies Intern

Museum Studies

Mastering the care of collections and their environments is a foundational skill for any professional pursuing a career in archaeology or museum studies. Interns at the Center work alongside the Cultural Resources Department to gain practical experience in high-standard stewardship.

Preventative Conservation: Learn essential methods for protecting artifacts from deterioration, including pest management, environmental monitoring, and specialized gallery maintenance.

Ethical Stewardship: Understand the legal and ethical frameworks governing the curation of archaeological resources and the rights of culturally affiliated groups.

Collections Management: Gain hands-on training in professional museum procedures such as Registration & Cataloging (documenting and identifying artifacts), Inventory Control (maintaining accurate records), and Facility Care (executing housekeeping protocols within the curation lab, museum galleries, and housing facility to ensure long-term preservation).

This internship provides a rare opportunity to apply modern archaeological theory to a massive regional record consisting of millions of artifacts. By participating in daily operations and special projects, interns develop the technical precision required for laboratory and curatorial roles in 2026 and beyond.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Enrolled in or a recent graduate of a degree-seeking program related to archaeology, museum studies, and/or anthropology.
• Must complete a minimum of 100 hours (Your institutions may require more for full credit).
• Ability to follow strict rules and regulations regarding the handling of sensitive archaeological materials.
• Strong attention to detail and interest in the technical aspects of museum stewardship.
• Complete eight hours throughout their time at either SDAC community events or as a museum docent.

Benefits

• Professional Development: Interns are invited to attend exclusive workshops led by field experts (2-3 per semester).
• Academic Credit: The Center works with institutions to provide credit for completed internships.