Summer 2019 Internship Opportunity at the USCIS History Office and Library

I am writing today to tell you about a Summer 2019 student internship opportunity in our office. I would greatly appreciate if you could please share the following announcement, found here, with the undergraduate and graduate students in your department. In addition to history majors, we are especially interested in candidates with a background or interest in library science, museum studies, and archives. Student Interns will assist the History Office and Library staff in providing well-researched responses to reference requests, performing primary source research both in the library’s collection and at the National Archives, and developing content for the USCIS History website, among other things. I have also included the text of the announcement below. I am happy to answer any questions you may have about the internship.

Our website: https://www.uscis.gov/historyandgenealogy

Please note that the deadline for our Summer 2019 internship is Monday, February 04, 2019. Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Allison S. Finkelstein, Ph.D.

Historian

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services History Office and Library

Email: allison.s.finkelstein@uscis.dhs.gov

Office Tel – 202-272-9370

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Internship Announcement: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) History Office and Library Internship Program

Description

The USCIS History Office and Library preserves and promotes understanding of USCIS history and the histories of its predecessor agencies and programs. Student Interns will assist the History Office and Library staff in providing well-researched responses to reference requests, performing primary source research both in the library’s collection and at the National Archives, and developing content for the USCIS History website.

Program Length

At least 120 hours in a single semester period.

Location: Washington, D. C.

Salary: Unpaid

Eligibility Requirements:

To be considered you must:

·         Be a U.S. citizen

·         Be age 16 or older

·         Be able to obtain and hold a security clearance  and  drug screening test

·         Be a student accepted for enrollment or enrolled at least half-time at a college, university, or other accredited educational institution

·         Preference is given to scholars currently enrolled in graduate-level programs related to public history, history, museum studies or archival studies and upper level undergraduate students majoring in history or related fields requiring strong research and writing skills. Students must be in good academic standing with their institution 

Application Deadline: February 4

Application Requirements and How to Apply:  Download Application (PDF, 39 KB)

To apply, students must submit a resume, cover letter, an unofficial copy of their transcripts and a completed application form to cishistory.library@uscis.dhs.govOnly  applications submitted by email will be considered. 

Program Objectives

Students will have the opportunity to:

·         Enhance and build upon current educational or professional experiences and/or expertise related to historical research and the development of historical publications and online exhibits

·         Apply academic learning to real-world projects and assignments

·         Develop workplace skills and acquire specific experience needed to pursue professional goals

·         Explore the federal work environment and learn about the history, mission, and responsibilities of USCIS 

Scholar Responsibilities

Students should accomplish the following during their Internships:

·         Contribute substantially to research projects related to the history of USCIS, its predecessor agencies, or federal immigration and naturalization policies in general.

·         Perform original research in USCIS and legacy agency records located at the National Archives

·         Propose and develop content suitable for the USCIS History Office website

·         Become knowledgeable of USCIS’s history and mission

·         All materials produced by Student Interns while working at USCIS become the property of USCIS and will be maintained by the USCIS History Office and Library. 

Salary and Benefits

·         Student Interns are unpaid and not entitled to benefits through the federal government as they are not federal employees.

·         Unpaid Student Interns are protected in the event of job related injuries under the Federal Torts Reform Act.

·         Relocation expenses and recruitment incentives are not paid for Student Interns.