Intern - MNHS Press Editorial Intern

Minnesota Historical Society; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 23,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The Minnesota Historical Society invites applications for an Editorial Intern supporting MNHS Press, MNopedia, and Minnesota History. You will assist editors with manuscript evaluation, copyediting, and metadata; participate in production tasks; and help prepare materials for publication.

You will gain exposure to publishing workflows, gain research experience, and contribute to diverse projects with flexible scheduling.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student, or have graduated within the past 12 months at the time of application.
• Ideal candidates might be pursuing or have graduated with English, history, anthropology, journalism, American studies, or related field.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs, FileMaker Pro, and MNHS library procedures.

Responsibilities

• Press: evaluate proposals and manuscripts; assist with copyediting and proofreading; photo research for Press titles; fact-check manuscripts; write and review metadata.
• Minnesota History: fact-check articles and endnotes; photo research; write/compile book notes for Take Three feature; log and acknowledge article submissions; review select submissions.
• MNopedia: identify broken links; fact-check entries; research images; write an entry.
• Attend editorial, acquisitions, launch, and production meetings to observe and contribute to the publishing process.
• Assist with mailings and database maintenance; take editing test; set up and conduct informational interviews.

Skills

Writing ability

Research skills

Attention to detail

Clear communication

Time management

Multitasking

Education

Enrolled in undergraduate/graduate program or recent graduate

Majors: English, history, anthropology, journalism, American studies, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Google Docs

FileMaker Pro

Job description

TITLE: Intern - MNHS Press Editorial Intern

LOCATION: History Center - 345 W Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102

COMPENSATION: Typical starting salary $17.02 hourly

HOURS: This is a part-time, temporary position from approximately January 19, 2027 to May 23, 2027. A part-time intern must be available to work 15 hours per week. This position offers a flexible work schedule, coordinated with the intern’s school schedule and operational needs. Preferred working hours are 2, 5-hour shifts per week, 10:00am - 3:00pm.

POSTING DATE: October 7, 2026

DEADLINE DATE: October 26, 2026

SEMINAR EVENTS: Interns are required to participate in three, in-person seminars focused on professional development, learning how cultural organizations operate, and building a network of industry professionals. At the end of the semester, interns complete a final presentation to share their work.

Please ensure you are available for these dates when applying:

• Thursday, February 4 from 11:30am-1:00pm
• Thursday, March 18 from 1:00-3:00pm
• Thursday, April 22 from 2:00-4:00pm
• Final Presentations: May 23 from 11:30am-1:00pm

DESCRIPTION

The editorial intern works with editors in the MNHS Press (book publishing); MNopedia (the online encyclopedia of Minnesota history), and Minnesota History (quarterly peer-reviewed magazine). Each function has specific editorial needs, but our work processes overlap as we acquire manuscripts for publication, evaluate their quality, diagnose editorial tasks, work with authors to improve the text, and perform copyediting and proofing as the manuscripts move through production. Because much of the hiring in publishing houses relies on recommendations made by those who work at other publishing houses, this internship is intended to attract candidates who otherwise would not have access to publishing—and thus to increase the diversity and inclusivity of the industry.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1) Press: evaluate proposals and manuscripts; participate in development discussions; assist with copyediting and proofing; carry out photo research for Press titles; fact-check manuscripts; write and review metadata; other tasks as needed; 2) Minnesota History: fact-check articles and endnotes; perform photo research; write/compile book notes for Take Three feature; log and acknowledge article submissions; review select article submissions; 3) MNopedia: identify broken links; fact-check entries; research images; write an entry; 4) Attend editorial, acquisitions, launch, and production meetings to observe and contribute to the publishing process; 5) Assist with mailings and database maintenance, take editing test, set up and do informational interviews.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student, or have graduated within the past 12 months at the time of application.
• Ideal candidates might be currently pursuing, or have graduated with a degree in the following areas: English, history, anthropology, journalism, American studies, or related field
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn Microsoft Word and Excel, Google Docs, FileMaker Pro, and other software applications, as well as MNHS library procedures.
• Ability to research, write, and communicate clearly and accurately.
• Ability to track details.
• Comfortable with taking on multiple tasks and working with more than one supervisor.

Should you have questions with the application process, email [e-mail] or call 651-259-3191.

At MNHS, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on diversity for the benefit of our employees, interns, volunteers, our products and services, and our community. The Minnesota Historical Society believes that an inclusive culture among our team members is critical to our success as a historical society and museum, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The Minnesota Historical Society is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and employer.