About Us

The Field Museum fuels a journey of discovery across time to enable solutions for a brighter future rich in nature and culture. We house close to forty million objects representing zoology, botany, geology, and anthropology, and these collections form the foundation of the Museum’s exhibitions, research, and education programs.

Audience Research and Evaluation Internship (unpaid)

Join us! Work alongside our team—Audience Insights & Research—to empower the Field Museum to make data-driven decisions. We strive to understand our visitors, how they engage with the museum, and how our exhibits and programming inspire learning, curiosity, and fun! Help us plan and execute using evaluation methods based in social science and human-computer interaction.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct literature reviews
• Engage in data collection on the Field Museum floor
• Help to develop research instruments (i.e. surveys and interview/observation guides)
• Process qualitative and quantitative data (cleaning, formatting, quantifying etc.)
• Help to analyze survey data, including the preparation of simple charts and graphs
• Support team members on other projects as assigned
• Maintain the highest ethical standards and research equity in all projects

Qualifications:

• Ideal candidates must be pursuing or have received a bachelor's or master’s degree in social science, liberal arts, museum studies, statistics, marketing, or a related field.
• Ability to work onsite at the museum 14 hours per week during regular museum office hours (9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday). Evening and/or weekend hours are not available. The ideal candidate would be able to work either 2 full weekdays (7 hours per day) or 1 full weekday and 2 half days. The ideal candidate would be able to work 2 full weekdays (7 hours per day), but we are open to four hour shifts depending on school schedule and availability.
• Must be 18 years and older
• Spanish or Chinese language skills (conversational level or above) are a plus.
• Experience working with groups of diverse backgrounds; comfort in approaching and engaging with others.
• Collaborator who works well independently and on team projects.
• High level of initiative and exceptional problem-solving skills.

Internship Requirements
Interns are asked to commit a minimum of 14 hours per week over a period of 3 months (or one academic term). Time line: Desired start date January 6th, 2025 - April 6th, 2025 (with possible extension to end of May 2025).

Benefits
While this internship is unpaid, you may be able to receive funding or credit for it through your school. Be sure to check with your institutions Careers Department to see whats available. The museum is happy to work with you and your school's administrator to set up the partnership.

The cultural perks you’ll enjoy as an intern include free Field Museum membership, free admission to other area museums, and discounts at Field museum restaurants and retail shops. Interns also get invites to members-only events, staff celebrations, special exhibition previews, and more.
You’ll also have the opportunity to meet world-renowned scientists and experts, explore our libraries, and connect with other enthusiasts who share your fascination with history, science, and culture.

Writing Sample

Along with your resume, please submit a short writing sample of 150-300 words explaining how this internship will help you reach your academic and/or career goals. (A cover letter is not required.)

The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, embracing diversity, and fostering mutual respect. We value the unique perspectives each team member brings, which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges.

At the Field Museum, we are dedicated to making our career website and recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application, participating in interviews, or any other part of the selection process, please reach out to us at accessibility@fieldmuseum.org.