Chicago History Museum Fellowship in Education

The Education Fellow at the Chicago History Museum (CHM) is a competitive award designed for recent college graduates interested in exploring career opportunities in museum education. During the ten-week fellowship, Fellows work alongside CHM education staff to contribute to institutional advancement in research and design of experiences that help diverse audiences make meaningful and personal connections to history.

Based on program calendar, department projects, and the successful candidate’s skills and experience, assignments will engage fellows in a breadth of activities. Fellow will:

• Assist in audience research and definition;
• Identify appropriate content and formats that supports CHM’s brand of experience – welcoming, fun, social, and meaningful;
• Research and further shape all program components leveraging both internal resources and external partnerships;
• Identify and secure program materials necessary to stage and implement a successful experience;
• Participate in the coordination and delivery of events

Education designs programs, experiences, and resources that provide diverse audiences such as families, youth, adults, students, and teachers, access to Chicago and to history. We pursue opportunities to collaborate with our colleagues internally and externally; to model by our own practice an audience-first approach and to strive to be creative and relevant in our interpretation and presentation of history. We appreciate the dimensions of learning as a life-long pursuit that is driven by individual choice; is characterized by fun and engaging experiences, and creates opportunities for personal connections and affective outcomes. Building on the CHM mission and brand of experience, our education interpretive approach is foregrounded in CHM’s collections, research, and powerful stories in order to develop unique program formats to engage audiences’ imaginations.

Eligibility:

• Individuals who have completed their undergraduate studies preferably in Education, American, Public, or Urban History Individuals in a graduate program are encouraged to apply;
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills in interacting with colleagues and in delivering quality customer service;
• Ability to take responsibility for ideas, decisions, and actions
• Ability to identify program costs and sustain program records
• Ability to communicate both verbally and written
• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Ability to work a computer and necessary programs
• Commitment to the mission, values, and programs of the Chicago History Museum

Application: Interested candidates must submit the following material:

• CHM internship application, http://www.chicagohs.org/aboutus/jobsvolunteering/internships/internships
• A short essay (1000 words maximum) on the topic: Can museums play a role in helping people make meaningful, personal connections to history? If so, how do they do that? Why should museums make such connections?
• Letter of nomination from a current or former professor or employer.
• Resume outlining academic achievements and work experience

The Fellowship will last ten weeks and fellows are required to work a minimum of 15 hours a week. Fellows who successfully complete their work will receive a $2,000 stipend. Please be advised that you must successfully pass a background check to participate in this program.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Send application packet to:
D. Lynn McRainey
Chief Education Officer
Chicago History Museum
1601 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614
mcrainey@chicagohistory.org
312-799-2150