Answers to Interns Frequently Asked Questions

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Intern & Internship Information
Information for Applicants & Appointees

Updated: 31 October 2007
Answers to Interns
Frequently Asked Questions

INTERN APPLICATION INFORMATION

Application Form

Cover Letter Form

Recommendation Form

Application Update / Check Status

Whether you're just starting a new internship at Natural History or have been here for awhile but still haven't found what you're looking for, here are some answers to commonly asked questions. Click on the link to reference answers and find links to additional information on the topic. Note that some links are to references posted on the SI intranet and therefore only accessible from a Smithsonian IP address:

Quick Links

Intern Resources

Still have Questions?

Send an e-mail to: sangreym@si.edu

What is an internship?
Internship Programs: What are the formal internship programs hosted at NMNH?
Other Opportunities: What other opportunities are available?
Eligibility: Who is eligible to serve an internship? Are there specific qualifications? Can international students serve an internship? Can high school teachers serve an internship?
Award: Are students selected for an internship provided an award package such as stipend, housing, travel? Can students selected for an internship apply for financial assistance?
Credits: Does the Smithsonian award academic credit for students serving an internship at Natural History?
Dates: When are internships in-session? Is there a standard internship start date?
Application Documents: What documents are required to apply for an internship? Can I submit a resume instead of an application form? Do you require application documents if an internship has already been agreed on?
Personal Identification Number: What is the personal identification number? How will my application documents be matched together? How do I get a PIN number?
Application Deadlines: What are the deadlines to apply for an internship?
Advisors: Who can serve as an internship advisor? What's expected of an intern advisor? Do I select an advisor or is one assigned to me?
Projects: What types of projects are available to interns? Can a student design their own internship project?
Submission: Where do you send application documents? How do you submit application materials?
Evaluation: How will applications be evaluated? What criteria are used to select interns?
Notification: When will students be notified if they've been offered an internship? Will all intern applicants be notified of status?
Planning your internship: If offered an internship, what's next?

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Background Check & Fingerprinting: To serve an internship do I have to undergo the background check and be fingerprinted? Do I have to complete a post-award investigation (like is required for other academic appointees)?

Housing: How do I go about finding a place to stay?
SCEMS Orientation: What happens at SCEMS orientation?
Contract Work: Can I accept paid, contract work during my internship appointment?
Dual Appointments: Can I volunteer in another Department during my internship?
Internship - vs - Volunteering: What's the difference between an unpaid internship and a volunteer appointment?
Technology Information: I'll be bringing my computer along. What are the IT specifications, connections, requirements and limitations?
Specimen Policies: I'll be bringing specimens with me to the Museum. How do I get them into the building?
Family Leave Recommendations: What options are available to me if I become sick during my appointment?
Meeting other interns: I'd like to meet other interns at the Smithsonian. What opportunities and social events are offered by the Museum?
Guests: Can I bring in guests to my work area and show them around the rest of the Museum?
Lost Smithsonian Credentials: I lost my Smithsonian ID badge. What do I do?
Confiscated Smithsonian Credentials: My ID badge was confiscated by a security officer. What do I do?
Mailing Address: What's my mailing address? What is MRC?
Phone Numbers: How do I look up Smithsonian phone numbers?
Technology Help: I'm having trouble with my computer. What do I do?
WageWorks Program: Can I take advantage of the WageWorks commuter benefits program?
Holidays: What are the US Federal holidays and is the Museum closed to interns on these days?
Emergency and Disaster Plan Information: Where can I find information in case there is an emergency or disaster?

NMNH INTERNSHIPS

What is an internship?

Like all internships at the Smithsonian Institution, an internship at Natural History is a prearranged, structured learning experience scheduled within a specific time frame.

The experience must be relevant to the intern's academic and professional goals, and to research and museum activities of the Institution. An internship is performed under the direct supervision of Smithsonian staff. Most internships are unpaid, although a few offer a stipend and/or award package.

Internship appointments generally are at least six weeks long and require a minimum commitment of 16 hour per week. Students must be at least 16 years old to serve an internship.

INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS

What are the formal internship programs hosted at NMNH?

Not only does Natural History offer our own suite of internship programs and specialized projects, we also host interns placed through other Smithsonian programs (e.g. Minority Internship Program, Native American Internship Program, James E. Webb Internship, Smithsonian Affiliations Intern Partnership Program).

Our main internship program is the Research Training Program. This is a ten-week, summer-only curriculum exclusively for undergraduate students. The RTP is a partner to the NSF-sponsored Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. There are many NSF REU sites throughout the US featuring opportunities for currently enrolled undergraduate students to be directly involved in research projects focused on particular areas of interest.

At the Smithsonian there are more than 50 different internship programs, plus a general referral. Each program is administered separately, with different processes and deadlines. Some programs have separate application and review processes, a few even have dedicated funding allocated to award stipends. To review the complete listing of internship opportunities at the Smithsonian, visit the main SI Internship Page.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

What other opportunities are available?

In addition to internships we offer opportunities for volunteering, research, and study crossing many educational levels from high school student to senior scientist. We host fellowship opportunities for graduate students and post doctoral scholars. Our Office of Education produces a variety of educational resources and sponsors tours, events and activities for school groups and educators.

ELIGIBILITY

Who is eligible to serve an internship?

While some internship programs have specific eligibility requirements, interns are typically students currently enrolled in school or have graduated within 6 months of applying for the internship or plan to return to school within 6 months of completing the internship.

Interns must be at least 16 years of age.

International students are welcome to participate in most internship opportunities. However, interns coming from abroad will require appropriate visas to enter the United States.

Are there specific qualifications (e.g. grade point average, prerequisite courses, previous experience, time commitments) required to serve an internship?

While some programs have specific qualifications, and individual staff sponsors may have certain preferences that guide their selections, there are no specific qualifications needed to serve a general internship.

Can high school teachers serve an internship during their summer break?

Yes, most of our general internship opportunities designed for students are also open to teachers.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE & HOUSING

Are students selected for an internship provided an award package such as stipend, housing, travel?

Generally no. Most internship appointments are unpaid and do not offer housing or travel. If support or assistance is available, it will be listed as part of the project description under the "Award Package" category. If "none" is recorded, no support or assistance is available.

Can students selected for an internship apply for financial assistance?

Students are encouraged to apply for resources from outside the Smithsonian to support their internship, but there are no internal sources of support available unless specifically listed.

CREDIT

Does the Smithsonian award academic credit for students serving an internship at Natural History?

The Smithsonian is not a degree granting institution and therefore can not award academic credit. However, interns can receive academic credit from their university or college for their internships and many U.S. colleges and universities will recognize