1. Harry S. Truman
  2. About the Library
  3. College Internships Program

College Internships Program

The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum college student internship program provides undergraduate and graduate students with a meaningful educational experience which benefits both students and our organization. (Visit our High School Internships page to learn more about our high school internship programs. )

Although many of our interns come from history programs, there are opportunities for students in a variety of disciplines including communications, library science, education, museum studies, art history, journalism, and marketing.

Students must commit to a minimum of 100 hours during the term of their internship. Interns may set a flexible work schedule between normal business hours of M-F 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  A stipend for interns may be available from the Truman Library Institute and there may be opportunity for earning course credit through enrolled institutions.

Housing is not provided.

Internships are available throughout the year and applications need to be submitted by the following dates to be considered for their respective semester.  Personal interviews are scheduled after we have received the required paperwork. Selected interns will be notified by email.

 

**NOW ACCPETING APPLICATIONS FOR INTERNSHIPS WITHIN OUR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT**

Click below to learn more about each program:

ARCHIVES UNIT INTERNSHIPS

This internship is designed to provide exposure to the archival profession, and specifically, the Harry S. Truman Library archives unit. Successful applicants may have the opportunity to work with original historical documents, photographs, and other audiovisual collections learning archival principles and practice while also increasing their archival skills.

Duties assigned may include digitization and description of documents and/or photographs, processing manuscript collections, research for social media and education projects, and other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION UNIT INTERNSHIPS

Interns assist the education coordinator with development of educational materials for students in grades 2 through 12.

Assistance opportunities exist in educational activity development for the Library's website using the library’s digitized archives.

Opportunity also exists for assistance with National History Day coordination and other educational programming.

Internships are open to undergraduate or graduate students majoring in History, Museum Studies, Public History, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and beyond!

 

The Education Department IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THEIR SPRING SEMESTER INTERNSHIPS through December 31st

 

MUSEUM UNIT INTERNSHIPS

This internship is designed to provide exposure to the museum profession through work in the Truman Library's museum unit. Depending upon the applicant's particular interests and skills, interns will perform basic preservation and artifact inventory tasks, photographing museum objects, working with the Library's computerized collection management database, assist the Library staff with exhibit research, design, and production and/or in various aspects of museum collection management. Duties can be as varied as researching and drafting exhibit labels and reference letters, performing basic preservation and artifact inventory tasks, photographing museum objects, or working with the Library's computerized collection management database. Applicants should have solid research skills and basic computer skills. Specialized skills such as audiovisual systems maintenance or production, digital photography, or graphic design are particularly welcome, although not required.

The Museum Department has no openings for interns in 2025.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS UNIT INTERNSHIPS

The internship will provide real-life, on-the-job experience to help prepare students for careers in and related to public programs. Most majors will be considered as long as the minimum internship requirements are met. The public programs intern will work directly below the Public Programs Officer. The intern will learn the fundamentals of public programming, and support public program planning and event execution functions, as well as other day-to-day operations.

The Public Programs Department only considers college interns for the Summer season.

Visit our High School Internships page to learn more about our high school internship programs. 

In addition to the above areas, opportunities may arise in other programs including the Truman Library Institute. Visit our High School Internships page to learn more about our high school internship programs. 

Overall qualifications for interns:

  • Current enrollment in a 2 or 4-year degree program
  • Ability to work independently and effectively given a limited time frame
  • Ability to balance multiple tasks
  • Basic computer skills
  • Dependable and punctual
  • Detail oriented
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Good organizational skills
  • Good writing skills are an essential part of the job function

Complete Application Packets must contain the following:

  • cover letter
  • updated resume;
  • completed copy of the internship application; Application Form
  • a writing sample (this can be a course paper, sample lesson plans for the education internship, or sample work from a creative portfolio for the marketing internship);
  • a copy of your college transcript;
  • two personal references, one of which must be from a professor.
  • Submit complete packet to the Student Internships Coordinator.

 

For further information, please contact the Student Internships Coordinator

Truman Library
500 West U.S. Highway 24
Independence, MO 64050
Phone: 816-268-8393
Fax: 816-268-8295
E-mail:catherine.you@nara.gov