NEW BEDFORD WHALING MUSEUM OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERNS, APPRENTICES AND SCHOLARS:
The New Bedford Whaling Museum, a center of educational, cultural and community activity, offers opportunities to students as part of a four-part internship and apprentice program.
• Apprenticeship: High School or GED
• College Internship
• L. Byrne Waterman Scholars and Conservation Scholars
• Scholars in Residence
These programs provide paid apprenticeships, paid and unpaid internships and mentoring opportunities to deserving high school and college students with an interest in the arts and sciences and their local culture. In addition, upper-level college or graduate students are offered the opportunity to engage in focused scholarship research under the guidance of the Museum’s Curatorial Staff. Also, with the visiting scholars in residence program the Museum provides support to researchers who are undertaking long-term research projects and need residential assistance. Further inquiries for any of these programs may be addressed to General Education Inquiries, education@whalingmuseum.org
Apprenticeship Program: High School or GED
The New Bedford Whaling Museum Apprenticeship program offers an opportunity to high school students who excel academically and express interest in gaining work and college readiness experience while earning a competitive wage. The Apprenticeship program uses museum resources as well as those of regional academic and scientific institutions to increase the knowledge base and practical experiences of high school students in New Bedford while encouraging them to continue their studies upon entering college.
The Apprentice Program of the New Bedford Whaling Museum is open solely to New Bedford residents in grades 11 and 12, and the GED equivalent, who qualify for free or reduced lunch. The thematic connection linking all aspects of this program is the continuing story of the growth and significance of New Bedford as shaped by its relationship with the ocean and the harvests made on it.
Through this program, high school students are challenged to understand first, the history of the whale fishery, its historical context, the people who were at the heart of the industry, the evolution of New Bedford and the region and its relationship with the ocean, oceanography, the biology of whales, the impact on world commerce, the impact on the environment and the economics of whaling. The Program addresses the questions: How? When? Why? By Whom? With what consequences?
The Apprentices are introduced to the challenges of interpreting the story of whaling. Through interaction with the staff of the country’s leading whaling museum, students are given insight into the day to day operations of a museum: curatorial, marketing, educational programs, community events, preservation, interpretation, research and how these services make the history of the whale fishery accessible to the public. They learn about the various cultures and communities connected by the world’s first global economy.
Also, the Apprentices are immersed into the challenges of modern day commercial fishing. Through an introduction to marine biology, oceanography, and the dynamics of the fishing industry, the Apprentices are encouraged to draw on their understanding of the past to inform their concept of the future of ocean harvests: how they should be managed and the impact of mismanagement on the planet.
Apprentices will meet and learn from a variety of experts, participate in hands-on projects and potentially serve as assistants for on-going monitoring programs coordinated by Museum partners. Just as importantly, students will also develop organizing, problem solving and team-building skills. They will also be encouraged to think creatively, develop presentation, storytelling and public interaction skills, and learn how to think on their feet in front of an audience.
Students will be encouraged to write articles about their apprenticeship for their school newspaper, and will contribute to their own Museum blog site. Their writings will also be considered for inclusion into The Bulletin from Johnny Cake Hill, the Museum’s journal for its membership. Apprentices will be expected to create a personal journal that will allow them the opportunity to track their learning over the course of the program and reflect on their experiences as they happen. Ultimately, students will exit the program as ocean literate citizens, stewards of these resources, fully cognizant of how ‘the ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.’
The Program consists of two sessions during the academic year and one summer session. The school year sessions will run from September – January and February – May. Students will work from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm during these sessions, four days a week. The summer session will take place during July – August, with students working from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, four days a week.
Application Process and Period of Work
Interested students may apply during the opening weeks of their junior or senior year for a one year position. Interested returning applicants must re-apply during the summer of their junior year. Application forms are available here [insert hyperlink. Completed forms and a copy of the most recent report card can be submitted to: Robert Rocha, Science Director, New Bedford Whaling Museum or to the Dean of Students at New Bedford High School, the Co-op Coordinator at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, or the College and Career Advisor at New Bedford Global Learning Charter School. Candidates will interview with the Science Director and one other staff member, and potentially a member of the Board of Trustees.
Upon acceptance into the program, each student and parent/legal guardian will sign a Letter of Commitment for that academic year and a document promising to apply to college in the future. The Science Director will also sign the Letter of Commitment and provide a copy to the apprentice. Apprentices under the age of 18 will also need to submit a signed Work Permit.
Eligibility: Students must be New Bedford residents receiving free or reduced lunch at school to qualify for the program. Upon hiring, apprentices will submit a signed Income Verification Form, as required by our funders. Compensation: $8/hr.
The New Bedford Whaling Museum college internship program will provide students who have expressed interest in a specific field of museum work an opportunity to deepen their understanding of that department’s function and contributions. Internship opportunities are designed to provide theoretical, methodological and practical training in the issues and problems of museum management and hands-on, professional work experiences. Students will work closely with various members of a given department to accomplish projects and contribute to the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s mission and goals. In addition to assisting with the advancement of departmental projects and goals, students may complete a project, paper or presentation.
Dependent on availability - Departments for interns to work with include:
Accounting/Finance: Interns will serve as part of the Museum’s Finance team. They will be responsible for assigned aspects of the Museum’s financial database and source document management. They will assist in configuring stipends for all apprentices at the Museum, data entry, and mail distribution. They will also maintain the filing system for all accounts payable and receivable. Attention to detail, multi-tasking capabilities, and good communication skills are required.
Archives and Library: Interns working with the collections of the Research Library and its archives will be exposed to multiple levels of library management from working at the reception desk to the detailed cataloging of primary source materials. Projects include updating identification of archival collections, creating manuscript collection inventories, completing data entry, re-housing collections, assisting with exhibition research and many other simple and complex tasks. Interns will assist with the cataloging of general collections, rare books, government documents, serials, pamphlets, cartography, and ephemera, as well as many different types of manuscript materials. Foreign language skills are valuable in the library and a knowledge of American history, literature, maritime history and geography is also advantageous, yet none are required.
Development: Interns will assist with tasks associated with the Museum’s membership program, annual fund, special events and marketing/PR. This would include assisting with the processing and distribution of membership cards and renewals, administering other solicitation mailings, database management, special event support, development of e-blasts and social media marketing, and general departmental administrative tasks as needed.
Education and Public Programs: Interns will assist with the implementation of educational programming for school, camp and other youth groups. They will also train as docents in order to interpret the museum’s collections for visitors. Other duties will include assisting with content research, development of family and community programs and volunteer management. Interns may be asked to assist with special events and offsite outreach programs as needed.
Exhibitions: Interns will work with the Curatorial staff, under the direction of the V.P. of Collections and Exhibitions, to develop and install exhibitions components. Depending on the project, interns will likely work across curatorial disciplines (including the library, photo archive, conservation, and registration) to research objects and exhibit scripts, write label drafts, update the collections database when necessary, and learn object handling, preparation and installation techniques. Interns with skills in other areas such as graphic design, audio and video editing, animation development, fabrication of hands-on components, and other creative activities applicable to exhibits are highly desirable and encouraged to highlight these skills when applying for the internship.
Photography and Digital Archives: Interns will work with and under the direction of the Photo Curator / Director of Digital Initiatives on projects that provide the opportunity to learn about digital media, photographic history, and web design and management. Interns help to organize, catalogue, digitize, and improve the accessibility of the Museum's holdings. The archives include images, movies, and sound recordings documenting the history of whaling and local history. Tasks may include but are not limited to: identifying and conserving photographs, creating and maintaining database records, producing exhibit and event photography and video, and assisting in the creation of web-exhibits and interactives.
Registrar: Interns will work with the Registrar to document and process new acquisitions and loans to and from the collection. The interns will learn proper nomenclature for cataloguing museum collections, how to use the collections database, and the filing systems for paper records. Interns will also learn proper object handling and storage of museum objects. Tasks may include but are not limited to: exhibition preparation and installation, processing and rehousing of collections, filing and data entry, as well as administrative tasks as necessary.
Application Process and Period of Work
Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest along with a current resume to Robert Rocha, Science Director prior to the semester in which they want to intern. Qualified candidates will interview with a member of the Education Department and a member of the department the intern wishes to work with. Successful candidates will work one semester with the opportunity to apply for additional semesters.
Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in college, graduate school or trade school and must have a high school diploma or GED. Compensation: paid and unpaid positions available.
L. Byrne Waterman Scholar and Conservation Scholar
The L. Byrne Waterman Scholarship Program provides an opportunity to engage in an academically rigorous program designed for upper level college students and post graduate students. The L. Byrne Waterman Scholar will conduct research and produce an academically significant paper or presentation. By prior arrangement with the Scholar’s home university or college, an internship may be custom-tailored to accommodate the awarding of academic credit or to qualify as an in-service component of a larger museum studies curriculum.
Both the L. Byrne Waterman Scholar and the Conservation Scholar will gain extensive experience in the field of research and museum work. Both scholars will have the opportunity to pursue their individual research interests in the form of either a written paper or a final project, thus increasing the scope of the Museum’s academic and curatorial offerings. The scholars will also further their own career objectives by gaining valuable work experience in a vibrant museum setting, while contributing to the NBWM’s mission and goals on a daily basis. Both of these high level academic programs will cement the NBWM’s status as a leading research and scholastic institution and desirable location for scholars to complete a fellowship.
Application Process and Period of Work
Interested applicants will submit a letter of application, resume, a sample of written work and the names and contact information of at least three professional/academic references to Robert Rocha at rrocha@whalingmuseum.org. Qualified candidates will interview with the Vice President, Education and Programming and designated staff. Successful candidates will be offered an opportunity to work on a semester basis.
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed college or graduate school.
Compensation: $100 per week stipend
Visiting Scholar in Residence Program
The Visiting Scholar in Residence Program supports short-term, full-time research and study in collections maintained by the Museum and its Research Library. Guests live free of charge in a Museum apartment within a 5-minute drive from the Museum from one night to multiple weeks, and are offered the opportunity to interact with fellow scholars, Museum staff and volunteers in a variety of programs, informal discussions and general Museum activities at the Museum or the Research Library. The Visiting Scholar Apartment is a two bedroom apartment which includes a kitchen for all cooking needs.
Application Process and Period of Work
The Visiting Scholar in Residence Program is open to all who are currently engaged in or who plan to conduct research on the history of Old Dartmouth or aspects of the world-wide whaling industry, including academic scholars, public sector professionals in marine science or history-related disciplines, independent scholars, graduate students, writers, filmmakers, and educators. Interested applicants should submit a letter of application, resume, a sample of written work and the names and contact information of at least three professional/academic references to Robert Rocha at rrocha@whalingmuseum.org. Qualified candidates will interview with the Vice President, Education and Programming and designated staff. Successful candidates will be offered an opportunity to be in residence.