Oral History Intern

Location: Anywhere (remote projects available)

Description: The Oral History intern will gain hands-on experience in all aspects of the oral history process. Interns will learn how to research, write questions, and conduct their own oral history interview to complete their internship. Interns will work on processing interviews and helping to create interview transcripts and summaries. Topics include, but are not limited to the environment, one-room schoolhouses, veterans, politics, and athletics/recreation to name a few ongoing projects.

This opportunity is available to a limited number of students pursuing a history or related degree. An internship requiring specific criteria for credit can be accommodated.

Essential Duties

  • Compile research and prepare potential questions/interview outlines.
  • Create summaries, audio logs, and/or transcripts for oral history interviews.
  • Assist in the researching and writing of episodes for the Our Missouri Podcast.
  • Write brief and condensed summaries and/or audio logs.
  • Assist in transcription.
  • Process and describe collections, including creating finding aids.
  • Digitize older audio formats for patron requests and preservation.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Desire to pursue career in history, public history, or oral history fields.
  • Strong communication skills, particularly written skills.
  • Great listening skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Ability to work independently.

Oral history internships are offered at State Historical Society research centers around the state, with supervisor approval, and at the Center for Missouri Studies in Columbia. The position is unpaid and projects are available for on-site and remote work.

This internship may be completed for credit if approved by your program.

To apply please email a letter of interest and resume to contact@shsmo.org.