Internships

Internships and volunteer learning opportunities

Student placing photographic slides into a digitization scanner in a lab setting.
Student assistant digitizing slides in the Digitization Lab

Special Collections and Archives (SCA) internship program provides​ MLIS* ​graduate students with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with archival and primary source materials. ​Interns assist with strategic projects for ​S​CA, and in the process develop proficiency in​ any of the following areas: archival standards and procedures, finding aid creation, preservation techniques, ​digitization techniques and metadata schemas, open source software development, Wikidata, instruction/outreach, depending on the intern’s interests or course requirements. 

Benefits and learning outcomes for interns

  • Practical application of communication, research, critical thinking, and problem solving skills, which demonstrate the real-life value of University Undergraduate Learning Outcomes.
  • Develop transferable skills in collection management, description, instruction, and outreach areas (particularly helpful to students pursuing careers in libraries, museums or archives).
  • Professional development through guidance in professional communication, interview skills, online professional profiles, and job search strategies, etc.
  • Opportunities to participate in writing or presenting on scholarly work (depending on candidate experience and interest).

Application and selection process [coming Summer 2026]

Individuals interested in applying for an internship should complete the Internship Interest Form. Information about their interest area(s), course credit requirements, and statement of interest are included.

Department Heads will review applications and staff availability. There may be no more than one intern per department at a time. Department Heads serve as the primary internship supervisor. They will coordinate with staff within their respective departments to establish a plan for the 16-week program. Department heads are responsible for setting meetings, ensuring the project is on schedule, and mentoring the student throughout the process. Date of graduation, timing of business needs, skill sets required for projects, and staff capacity will factor into intern selection.

Duration and timeframe

Internships are typically 10 hours/week over a period of 16 weeks in the summer. Internships may only be scheduled during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm) and are in-person only.

Payment

Interns are offered a $3,200 stipend, paid in two installments. If an individual seeks an internship and may only receive course credit, SCA will support them if there is capacity within the student’s department of choice. 

Sample internship projects

Digital Collections Wikimedian-in-Residence

Technical Services Processing

Public Services Community Archives Internship

Other volunteer opportunities

Individuals who are not eligible for internships might want to consider other opportunities in SCA such as student assistant employment positions for undergraduates enrolled at UNLV, volunteer opportunities, or the Eadington Fellowship program. Virtual opportunities may also be available upon request.

Related links