Chicago Metro History Day Internship

Chicago-History-Society; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Job summary

Chicago History Museum invites applicants for the Chicago Metro History Day Internship. This hybrid internship supports students in grades 6-12 through research, exhibits, and public-facing projects. Interns assist with event preparation, materials, and outreach for CMHD and the annual History Day program.

Ideal candidates are history or education majors; there is a friendly, supportive environment and weekly hours will vary with program needs. Saturday dates for contests are required.

Qualifications

• Designed for history or education majors.
• Willing to commit >10 hours during contest weeks.
• Hybrid work environment with on-site and remote hours.

Responsibilities

• Learn event management skills in a public history setting.
• Coach students to improve historical research and arguments.
• Prepare learning materials to support historical inquiry.
• Curate suggested topics and recommended resources for the annual theme.
• Support communications and public outreach (social media, website materials).
• Assist teacher professional development programming.

Skills

Public history

Event management

Research skills

Communication

Education

History or Education majors

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Chicago Metro History Day Internship

Intern Chicago, IL, US

4 days ago Requisition ID: 1480

Chicago Metro History Day Internship (October 2026-March 2027)

Program Description

Chicago Metro History Day (CMHD) is an educational program for students in grades 6-12. Sponsored by the Chicago History Museum, CMHD asks students to research topics of their choice and develop a historical argument. Working individually or collaboratively, students develop exhibits, documentaries, papers, performances, and websites that are shared with the public in a series of local, state, and national competitions. CMHD is part of a larger national network called National History Day (NHD). CMHD works with schools to promote historical inquiry and support students’ research endeavors. Thousands of students from 75 schools in Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties participate each year.

CMHD invites applicants for an internship in history education. The internship structure has some flexibility based on the student’s area(s) of interest, but this experience is most appropriate for students interested in public history, education, and/or research. Because most historical institutions across the country have some level of involvement with History Day, an internship with this program is an excellent first step toward a career in museum education, archives, public programs, or the History Day program itself.

Interns must be available on Saturday, February 27, 2027, for CMHD’s Senior Division History Day contest and on Saturday, March 6, 2027, for CMHD’s Junior Division History Day contest. Participation in other events is strongly encouraged. Internship responsibilities will be heaviest during the preparation and wrap-up period for the regional contests (mid-February through mid-March). Interns will be expected to work more than ten hours during the contest weeks (offset by fewer hours during non-peak periods).

Sample activities may include:

• Learning event management skills in a public history setting
• Coaching students to improve their historical research and arguments
• Preparing learning materials to support historical inquiry
• Curating suggested topics and recommended resources for the upcoming annual theme
• Supporting communications and public outreach (e.g., social media presence, preparing materials for website)
• Supporting upcoming teacher professional development programming

CMHD expects to hire two paid interns at $17.05 per hour (up to a maximum of 140 hours). [CMHD has the capacity to host 1-2 additional interns if they are able to find financial support through other means.]

This internship is a hybrid work environment, with some on-site and some remote hours. Vaccination and background check required.

Dates of Internship: This internship is expected to begin in October 2026 and last until March 2027. Weekly hours will vary depending on programmatic needs.

Qualifications:

This internship is designed for history or education majors, or candidates in closely related fields.