History Internships

The Department of History recommends an internship as elective credit for the major. Internships are the department’s service learning or experiential learning component.

Our internships range widely, according to the interests of the students. Many of our internships are related in some way to public history and have seen students working at Living History Farms, the State Historical Society of Iowa, and other local historical organizations. Some are geared more to students who have an interest in political research and have included working in various ways at the State Capitol. Other students have done internships in education-related fields, such as mentoring middle school students in preparation for National History Day competitions.

Internships In and Around Des Moines

The list below represents common internship opportunities but students are encouraged to design their own internships in consultation with their adviser.

• State Capitol/Legislative Intern
• Living History Farms/Interpreter
• State Historical Society of Iowa
  • Office of Historic Preservation
  • Conservation
  • History Day
  • Office of the Registrar
  • Education Department
  • Archives
  • Library
• Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge
• Terrace Hill Governor’s Mansion/Tour Guide
• Neighborhood Associations
• Community engagement
• Historic Valley Junction Foundation
• Iowa International Center
• Iowa Jewish Historical Society
• Lutheran Services in Iowa
• Salisbury House
• Vote Smart
• Wells Fargo Museum
• West Des Moines Historical Society
• World Food Prize

The work requirements of an internship will be decided between the student, the faculty adviser and the on-site supervisor, but tend to include at least 100 on-site hours, maintaining an activity log, and meeting regularly with their on-site supervisor. Students also meet regularly with the faculty advisor to review their internship experiences, discuss readings in public history appropriate to their interests, plan and review progress on a paper (usually 8-12 pages in length) related to their special interests in public history, and consider career options open to students of history.