Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Internships
The Museum's internship program is an integral part of its educational activities. Internships provide students with the opportunity to gain training in their specific area of expertise as well as an overview of Museum practices and policies. Individuals working towards undergraduate or graduate degrees in Museum studies, history or related fields and individuals with formal boat building training are invited to apply.
Internships are for 10-13 weeks. CBMM provides a weekly stipend of $150 plus housing. All interns are required to live in Museum housing.
Internships Include:

  • thorough orientation
  • work on a particular project for which each intern or group of interns has responsibility
  • departmental responsibilities
  • exposure to the entire museum through attendance at staff meetings, rotation through the institution, or opportunities to shadow key staff
  • seminars or other formal learning opportunities with readings and discussion on museum functions, the museum field and types of institutions and issues facing museums
  • field trips or independent visits to other museums
  • a closing event, program, or presentation

Intern Administration
The Museum's intern program is administered by Human Resources of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Each intern is guided daily by a supervisor whose responsibilities include:

  • defining internship projects-where they are needed, how much time will be required, what skills are required, and what interns can accomplish during placement
  • ensuring the intern has work space and equipment required
  • working with the intern to develop a well-articulated schedule
  • encouraging the intern to keep a journal of his/her experience
  • asking interns to write a final report on their project for presentation to the staff or publication
  • writing a letter of reference and summary of each individual's work


Funding
Full time interns are paid a stipend of $150 per week plus provided housing. All interns are required to live in Museum housing. Interns are not paid hourly, but daily/weekly. They are paid for holidays, but not for time lost to illness or personal leave.
Agreements and Job Descriptions
Each intern is asked to complete a formal agreement with the Museum in the form of a contract. The agreement includes the start and end dates, hours of work, specifics of intern responsibilities and particular projects, stipend, direct supervisor, and evaluation procedures and dates. There is also a detailed job description with specific duties and goals drafted by the supervisor and intern together at the start of the internship. In addition, a description and terms of housing and other benefits is spelled out. Interns are asked to pay a housing deposit of $50, refundable upon final walk though of assigned housing.
Orientation
Each intern receives an orientation packet with a selection of brochures, annual report, staff list of ongoing projects, map or floor plan, schedule of events and exhibits, and a relevant list of readings and bibliographies, including an intern checklist. New interns are introduced to everyone on staff and briefed on Museum policies and procedures.
Academic Relations
Since most interns come from academic institutions, a successful collaboration between the host Museum and the academic program is crucial at every step. Internships for credit often are generated by academic departments or placement offices and forms, procedures, and expectations vary from one department to another. A successful internship where students expect academic credit as well as professional guidance requires collaboration between the college and the Museum.
Evaluation
Internship evaluations include both a formal evaluation at the end of an internship and one or two periodic evaluations. The supervisor and intern will each complete a written evaluation of the internship. HR will maintain complete files on each departing intern, including application materials, project reports, and evaluations. Intern project reports will also be available in the Museum library.

Application Process
Internships are determined based on the need of each department and funding for the fiscal year. Positions for the 2008 summer program have not yet been determined. Please check back in November, 2007 for an up-to-date listing of available intern positions for Summer 2008.