Calumet Heritage Internship

Keller Science Action Center, Field Museum

The Field Museum fuels a journey of discovery across time to enable solutions for a brighter future rich in nature and culture. This internship is housed in the Museum’s Keller Science Action Center, which works to translate science into action with measurable results on the ground. Our team includes ecologists and anthropologists who recognize the inextricable link between healthy nature and quality of life. As a science-based organization, we employ unique approaches to address today’s conservation challenges.
Calumet Heritage Internship

The Keller Science Action Center leads the Calumet Curators Network of over 15 museums and history centers throughout the bi-state Calumet region, a richly complex landscape of intersecting nature, industry, and culture. Building on the successes of its flagship project, the co-curated Calumet Voices, National Stories exhibition series, the network is working to expand its eco-cultural stewardship of the region.

Under the project manager’s leadership and in collaboration with the network’s committees, the intern will: 1) Engage additional stakeholders which include ecological, Indigenous, and arts organizations; 2) Establish a newsletter and related communications materials; and 3) Support publication and conference presentations, as well as provide minor assistance with exhibit content planning. This will require hands-on activities as well as photography, note-taking, and data organization. In addition to engagement and programmatic efforts, the intern will conduct a set of three-to-five short interviews with network members regarding their experiences with co-curating the Calumet Voices exhibits. Related efforts may include supporting one of the Calumet Curator partner’s community engagement efforts for a placemaking project on Chicago’s Southeast Side. In the course of the internship, the intern will have the opportunity to become familiar with the local, grassroots organizations who steward the region’s diverse cultural and ecological heritage, and how residents are building on that substantive heritage for a sustainable future.

This is an opportunity for students who:

• Would like to engage with a range of stakeholders to create a compelling future for a unique but under-recognized region of America.
• Have a strong interest in applying local social/cultural research to community and ecological well-being.
• Required Qualifications:
• Strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills
• Self-starter with superb organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks
• Active study in anthropology/social sciences, public history, or urban studies
• Ability to document events and organize qualitative data
• Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with Photoshop and/or graphic design programs
• Familiarity with urban ecology
• Knowledge of the Calumet region
• Working knowledge of Spanish

Class Level Eligibility

• Advanced undergraduate or graduate student

Required Materials

• Please supply the following materials for consideration:
• Resume
• Cover letter
• References (2)

Salary of $17.50 /hr. for undergrad; $18 for graduate students; 21-25 hours per week for 10 weeks. Desired Start Date: May 19th, 2025.

Application deadline is 4/25; Applicants will be chosen for interviews by 5/2.

Applicants must apply through the Field Museum website at www.fieldmuseum.org/careers. Applications through other websites will not be considered.

PLEASE READ: *If you apply for multiple positions through the Field museum website, please make sure to delete your previous resume and cover letter and upload the latest version of your resume and cover letter that is relevant to the job you are applying for, every time you apply. This will help our hiring managers access the correct documents. Please note that removing the resume and cover letter will not delete any previously submitted resumes and cover letters.

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 recruitment@fieldmuseum.org.