Job Description:

INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTIONS


American Decorative Arts: Students must be detail-oriented, observant, and willing to tackle a variety of projects. Computer skills a must. Students will scan, modify, and attach pictures to the ADA collections database. Students will work directly with the ARGUS system, the museum’s computer database.


Collections Management/Registration: Strong computer skills a must. Students will enter data on the ARGUS system. Students will survey, organize, and archive files.

Development: Students must be detail-oriented, independent, and possess strong research capabilities. Excellent computer skills a must. Students will screen lists of possible funding sources, assist with online research, compile information, and conduct basic data entry.


Education: Clerical and people skills a must. Students will work with the education department on office projects and school programs.
Public Programs: Students must be meticulous, self-reliant, and have strong people skills. Students must be comfortable with their computer skills, their phone presence, and their writing skills. Weekend and evening hours are available.
Museum Action Corps (MAC): Students will work directly with the MAC Internship Coordinator to create special projects, such as documentaries, oral history projects, media projects, etc. In addition, students will assist with basic office work.
Natural History Department/Art & Nature: Students will work in the Natural History gallery, orienting visitors as well as keeping the area in good condition. People skills a plus, especially with children. Some weekend work required.


Electrical: Students will assist the museum’s master electrician with daily duties. Computer skills preferred.


Exhibit Construction: Carpentry skills a must in this hands-on environment. Students will help to build walls, cases, and enclosures for exhibit pieces.


Graphic Design/Creative Services: Student must be proficient in the use of design tools such as Quark and Photoshop. Student will be expected to produce a wide range of printed materials including signs, brochures, flyers, and postcards, among other projects. The student must have good writing skills.


Human Resources: Students must possess strong organizational skills and the ability to deal with confidential information discretely. Students must have strong Microsoft software skills and internet research capabilities. Students will perform basic office procedures, such as filing, photocopying, faxing, data entry, and word-processing.


Japanese Art Collection: Students will create, organize, and supplement departmental files. Students will perform data entry, consult registrar’s department files, and assist in moving collection objects.


Marketing: The qualified candidate should have: exemplary communication skills; strong organizational and people skills; attention to detail; comfortable phone presence; ability to work independently. Internet skills are needed for research and clerical skills are a must. Students need strong office skills and the ability to multi-task.


Membership: Students must be organized, detail-oriented, and independent workers. Knowledge of Excel and Microsoft Word a plus in this office based position.


Merchandising: Students must be experienced in digital scanning, and correcting using various media tools. Students must be detail-oriented and able to work independently. Pleasant demeanor and solid communication skills are essential.
Museum Shop: Some retail and Point of Sale computer experience necessary. Must be able to lift 30 pounds and perform light housekeeping duties. Must have desire to be an informed member of a vibrant team.


Native American Art and Culture: Computer skills and attention to detail needed. Students will work with the department on the cataloging of the Native American collection and answer outside inquiries about the collections.


New Media: Understanding and knowledge of digital imaging, both still photography and videography, are a plus.
Audio Visual: Familiarity with all types of audio and visual equipment preferred. Students should have experience with live audio mixing and video recording. Pleasant demeanor and solid communication skills are essential.
Photography: Basic knowledge of photography, PhotoShop applications, and computer scanning a plus. Must be experienced in digital scanning and correcting using various media tools. Must be detail-oriented and able to work independently.
Web Design: Strong computer skills a must. Knowledge of JavaScript, HTML and other web design software a must. Students will register the PEM website on search engines weekly, research how to improve the museum’s status on search engines, update the museum’s website, and assist with computer related issues.


Public Relations: Candidate should have demonstrated computer skills; strong communication skills; good attention to detail; ability to work independently as needed. Students will maintain an extensive database, prepare packets of PEM’s media coverage, distribute press releases and images for the museum’s exhibitions, assist with press receptions and previews, write media alerts for select museum events, maintain records and files of media coverage, and assist with general inquiries/requests.


Visitor Services: People skills a must. Students will interact with visitors when they arrive and helping to get them oriented to the museum.
Visitor Greeter: Students will welcome visitors upon entrance, and thank visitors for coming to PEM on their way out. Prior customer service experience preferred but not required. Friendly with personable manner. Enjoys and is comfortable interacting with public. Ability to stand for long periods of time.

Job Requirements:

The Museum Action Corps: This unique internship program provides opportunities for a culturally diverse group of students from Massachusetts, ages 16 to 21, to learn about museums firsthand and to gain valuable professional work experience. This federally-funded program combines paid, museum-based employment with leadership and creativity development to broaden students’ perspectives on work and their role as members of various communities.




In its sixth year of existence, the MAC Program combines paid, museum-based employment with leadership development to broaden students’ perspectives on work and their role as members of various communities.


The MAC program is funded by The Education through Cultural and Historical Organizations (ECHO) Act, a major, federally mandated educational and cultural enrichment initiative, annually serving hundreds of thousands of children and adult continuing learners in Alaska, Hawaii, and Massachusetts.


Paid Internships: High School Internships consist of 200 hours of paid work. Eligibility for this position is limited to individuals age 16 to 18 who currently live and attend high school in Massachusetts.
College Internships consist of 400 hours of paid work. Eligibility for this position is limited to individuals age 17 to 21 who currently either live or attend college or university in Massachusetts. Students also must be interested in pursuing a professional career in the field the internship concentrates on. These internships are also available for college credit if officially requested by the student.

How To Apply:

Eligibility: Internships are for a period of approximately of three months. Each applicant will work with museum officials to determine the schedule for internship completion. Students must commit to complete the total number of internship hours including hours allocated for the weekly internship meetings (Thursdays at 3pm) and MAC events. In order to be considered for these internships, students must submit a completed MAC application together with all required materials on or before the posted deadline. (See bellow). Non U.S. citizens must offer proper visas and proof of alien status, which allows them to work in the United States. Minorities are encouraged to apply.
Internship Positions are available in various areas throughout the Peabody Essex Museum. Internship activities will vary based on the department for which an intern works. Every effort will be made to place students in their preferred department. Please refer to the List of Departments or contact the internship coordinator for additional information on current job openings.
The Application Process begins a week after the application deadline. In order to be considered for the internship, the student’s completed application must be submitted in a single envelope along with the following items:
1. A full resume of your education and employment
2. Two recommendations letters (no family members)
3. An Official transcript (first semester college students provide high school transcript)
4. Axciom Background Check Form
5. PEM Employment Application
Visit www.pem.org to download these materials.
Following a review of written applications, a limited number of individuals will be invited for an interview with the Museum Action Corps Coordinator at the Peabody Essex Museum followed by an interview with the internship department supervisor. Applicants will not be accepted into the program until a formal in-person interview is conducted. Interviews will be conducted within one month of the application deadline.

Contact Information