Are you a college or graduate student interested in gaining work experience? We offer paid internships in a wide array of disciplines. You'll learn from knowledgeable mentors in a variety of fields, from curatorial research to administration, all in the dynamic atmosphere of Washington, DC. You'll work with distinguished scholars, accomplished professionals, and iconic artifacts in an immersive experience as multifaceted as the Museum itself.
Our interns are required to be high school graduates and must be enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a degree-granting undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited college or university.
Our structured summer internship program provides firsthand experience working in a museum. It's a great introduction to museum work or an opportunity to expand on previous experience. Our 10-week program provides unique professional development opportunities and enrichment activities.
Fast Facts
- Length: 10 weeks
- Full time
- Paid, $8,000 stipend
- All internships are onsite at one of our Museum locations
- Email us with questions
- Application deadline: January 31, 2026
View open positions and learn how to apply at
https://airandspace.si.edu/get-involved/internships
Some opportunities include the following:
Archives: Researcher/Writer: Accessibility and Online Collections
Currently, only about 25% of the Museum Archives collections have a collection record available to the public in the Smithsonian Online Virtual Archives (SOVA). In order to more effectively fulfill our mission to make the Archives collections as widely accessible as possible, and to more accurately represent the breadth of our holdings to researchers, it will greatly benefit the Archives to increase this percentage.
Working from a predetermined list of collections, the intern will review the physical collection, revise and expand the existing collection descriptions as needed, and create finding aids using ArchivesSpace software that will be made available to the public in SOVA. The intern will also have the opportunity to perform basic rehousing and processing tasks as needed, in consultation with the supervisor. At the end of the summer, the intern will have a portfolio of collection records on SOVA that could be shared with professors as part of their course credit requirement, or as part of a job application.
Location: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
Communications: Communications and Social Media
The intern will work with the Museum’s Office of Communications on a variety of projects related to social media, press, marketing, and digital communications. Key projects will include communications and content related to the Museum’s 50th anniversary and the opening of seven new galleries.
The intern will work closely with the social media and digital content teams to develop compelling content to promote the Museum and share the Museum’s collection and expertise with an ever-expanding digital audience. Based on the intern’s individual interests or strengths, the intern will have the opportunity to craft long-form written content (blog posts), written social media content (X, Instagram, Facebook), and social video (Instagram Reels, YouTube).
The intern will also work with the larger Communications team on marketing museum programs, media and press relations, and filming projects.
Location: National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Education: Digital Engagement through Media Production
Research, develop, design and produce digital media for the education department. This will include pieces for the “On Air” series as well as stand alone segments that benefit additional programs in the education department such as family days, story time, etc. The intern will also provide technical support for any in situ programming, participate in any filming or video related projects.
Our goal is to match students' skills and objectives with Smithsonian programs that can mutually accommodate goals. Student efforts will directly impact the quality of media production, working side-by-side with employees to create and deliver programs, services and experiences for museum visitors in person and online. Typical assignments may include planning, scheduling, researching, video production, and graphic composition. Interns will feel empowered to recommend improvements in workflow, processes to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness in meeting goals and objectives.
Location: National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
