Historic New England

Historic New England will pilot a cross-disciplinary, cohort-based, paid internship program to enhance equity and opportunity within their organization and generate a model for similar organizations seeking to support a more diverse and empowered museum workforce.  The program will seek to recruit 76 students who are currently enrolled in undergraduate and graduate-level programs, or those who have completed a degree program within the last 24 months.  The interns will convene weekly, as a cohort, to receive training and support on museum operations and navigating employment.  As a result of the project, students will gain technical skills, connections with peers, and understanding of museum operations and the job market.  In addition, the pilot project will culminate in a white paper that outlines lessons learned and recommendations for implementing pan-institutional cohorts at peer institutions, with an eye toward creating safe and meaningful professional development experiences for people of all backgrounds.