History Internships
The History Department offers a variety of internship opportunities. Some will earn you course credit, and others a paycheck. Keep an eye out for news about internships with national or state organizations, too. We regularly send out announcements about other opportunities to our majors via email.
Internships for Course Credit
Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War
Credit: HIST 490R
Help tell the stories of Tennessee veterans in this intensive research internship at the Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War. Students must apply for admittance to the class, with a deadline in early May. Offered every fall.
History Internship
Credit: HIST 402
Our students often land individual internships at local historical sites or at campus organizations such as the McClung Museum or the East Tennessee Historical Society. If your internship is history-related, you might be able to get course credit. Contact Denise Phillips, Associate Head of the department for more details.
History and the Public
Credit: HIST 302R
In this class, you and your fellow students will work together to uncover new things about local history, and then share your discoveries with the broader public. Includes internship experiences at local historical sites. Offered every spring.
Paid Internships
The three internships below are funded through the generosity of the Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War. The application deadline is December 10th.
To apply, students should do two things:
- Email a copy of their transcripts to Chris Magra at cmagra@utk.edu
- Ask one faculty member to send Chris Magra a short email on their behalf
The Papers of Andrew Jackson
The Papers of Andrew Jackson intern will work closely with current PAJ staff on projects related to military affairs during Jackson’s presidency. Specific tasks might include transcribing manuscripts, searching government records, conducting research in a variety of primary and secondary sources, and drafting explanatory annotation. This internship will provide experience working with primary sources and making historical documents readily accessible to non-specialists. Successful applicants will demonstrate strong research and writing skills, independent initiative, and good problem-solving ability.
Blout Mansion
As part of this internship, you will work closely with the Executive Director, the Collections Committee Chair, and our Archival volunteers to research the history of Blount Mansion, the Blount Family, the Territorial Militia, and the early Tennesseans who settled in the region. Successful candidates must have a strong work ethic, be independent, exhibit strong writing and organization skills, and desire for a fun working environment.
East Tennessee Historical Society
The East Tennessee Historical Society (ETHS) internship will offer the experience of working in a public history institution and museum under the supervision of the Curator of Education. Education Department projects will primarily focus on K-12 student engagement (museum visits and National History Day), program research, and administration as it relates to museums and historical societies. The ETHS staffs’ goal is to enrich this unique opportunity to research and interpret East Tennessee’s history in ways the student is engaged in and committed to. Each internship is customized to meet the project needs as well as the intern’s knowledge base, research and communication skills, and their expectations for learning. Successful candidates will demonstrate and communicate how they can contribute skills and knowledge to this opportunity as well as grow from it. At least 2/3 of internship hours need to be on weekdays with 1/3 being available on weekends if needed in guest services and assisting with hosting in the Museum of East Tennessee galleries.
Internships Outside the Department
History majors are also great candidates for internships in law, business, government or non-profit work. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Center for Career Development can help you track down even more opportunities.