Museum Education Internship

Job Description

Museum Education Internship

Location: Virginia Beach, VA

About the Role

Are you passionate about education, cultural exchange, and making a tangible impact? Join Operation Smile’s team as a Museum Education Intern at the newly launched Anthony L. and Hideko S. Burgess Interactive Learning Center (ILC). This immersive exhibit, located at Operation Smile’s Global Headquarters in Virginia Beach, serves as a “Window to the World,” guiding visitors through the journey of individuals affected by cleft conditions as they seek life-changing surgery and comprehensive care.

This unpaid internship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a dynamic educational environment for a minimum commitment of three months. You will play a crucial role in developing and delivering engaging educational programs that enlighten students, the community, and visitors from across Virginia Beach about critical topics including culture, global medicine, geography, and leadership within a humanitarian context.

Key Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

As a Museum Education Intern, you will gain hands-on experience in various aspects of museum education and non-profit operations. Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Program Development & Outreach: Actively research and identify prospective educators, schools, and community events to expand the reach and opportunities for the ILC’s educational programs. This involves strategic outreach and partnership building.
• Educational Program Delivery: Lead and facilitate engaging field trip programming and community tours for diverse audiences, both in-house at the ILC and through innovative distance learning platforms. You will be at the forefront of visitor engagement.
• Curriculum Support: Collaborate closely with the education team to assist in the creation and refinement of compelling lesson plans designed to complement and enhance the before and after field trip experience.
• Digital Learning Management: Utilize our learning management platform to upload, organize, and manage ILC e-learning modules, ensuring accessible and engaging digital content for all learners.
• Event Coordination & Support: Provide comprehensive support for various ILC and Operation Smile events, contributing to seamless execution and a positive experience for all participants.

Internship Takeaways & Learning Opportunities

This internship is designed to provide you with invaluable professional development and practical experience, including:

• Non-profit/International NGO Experience: Gain firsthand insight into the operations, mission, and impact of a leading global health non-profit organization.
• Cross-Communication Skills: Develop advanced interpersonal and communication skills through interaction with diverse stakeholders, including staff, educators, students, and community members.
• Student Engagement Expertise: Enhance your ability to effectively engage and manage groups of students of varying ages and backgrounds in an educational setting.
• Practical Teaching Experience: Apply pedagogical principles in a real-world context, leading interactive sessions and facilitating learning.
• Lesson Plan Development: Acquire hands-on experience in the creation, adaptation, and implementation of educational lesson plans and activity guides.
• Professional Networking: Build valuable connections with experienced educators, non-profit professionals, and community leaders.

Qualifications & Requirements

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual who meets the following criteria:

Requirements:

• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Educational Background: High School graduate required; some college coursework preferred, especially in education, museum studies, non-profit management, communications, or related fields.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with confidence in public speaking and presenting to groups.
• Independence & Initiative: Ability to work effectively and proactively with minimal supervision.
• Problem-Solving: Proven ability to identify problems, research information, and develop effective solutions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience: 1-2 years of experience in customer service or administrative roles.

Time Commitment & Logistics

• Duration: Ability to commit to a minimum of three months.
• Hours: Minimum of 15-20 hours per week (more hours can be accommodated if desired).
• Availability: Typically Monday – Friday, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, with flexibility for occasional after-hours availability as needed for special tours or events.
• Commute: Must have reliable transportation and the ability to commute to Operation Smile’s Global Headquarters office in Virginia Beach, VA.