INTERNSHIPS

The American Studies Department encourages its majors to consider an internship because of its commitment to exploring the intersection between academic analysis and participatory experience. Experiential education provides the opportunity to apply critical concepts to situations outside the classroom; in turn, the internship supplies new questions and hypotheses to bring back to the classroom. The accompanying requirement of a rigorous seminar or tutorial provides an intellectual framework for examining the project and gaining perspective on an aspect of American culture. The internship program helps to prepare students for careers utilizing their major by allowing them to work in appropriate settings, make contacts, explore further career avenues, and add to their professional resumes.

There are two alternatives for American Studies majors interested in internships:
 

AMST 404: Internship (1-3 credits) (grade by P/F only) 
For students interested in an introductory internship experience, AMST 404 provides a flexible option. Students are expected to commit 40 hours per credit; for example, for three credits, the student should work 120 hours, approximately 8 hours week for the length of the semester. In many cases, supervision of these internships is shared with the Shriver Center. In addition, for AMST credit, students must meet regularly with an AMST faculty advisor and write a series of short reflective and analytical papers on their experience. 

AMST 406: Internship Seminar (3 credits) (regular grading)
These two courses provide an in-depth work experience for students interested in making a major commitment to an internship. AMST 405 requires approximately 250 hours of internship work, approximately 15-18 hours per week. Through AMST 406 students also meet regularly in a seminar or with their advisor on an independent basis. AMST 406 provides an intellectual framework for the internship and requires a substantial set of readings and analytical papers. The AMST 405/6 internship is supervised by AMST faculty. 

Internships undertaken by previous American Students include:

WJZ Television
Lighthouse Youth Services Center
Maryland Historical Society
Women: A Journal of Liberation
Pikesville Chamber of Commerce
Maryland Hall of Records
Baltimore Industrial Museum
Relay Children's Center
Montgomery County Volunteer Bureau
Legal Aid
American Heart Association
Kennedy Institute
U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service
The Family Tree
Howard County Department of Parks and Recreation
Governor's Summer Internship Program
Baltimore Clayworks
Baltimore City (children in the arts)
Baltimore Magazine
Historic St. Mary's City
American Friends Service Committee
Baltimore Mayor's Office (TV 21)
Easter Seals
Baltimore City, Mayor's Office
Catonsville Chamber of Commerce
Citizen's Against Spousal Abuse of Howard County
CHAP, Baltimore City
Choice America
Fox News Sports Department
WHFS (D.C. radio station)
Chesapeake Life (magazine)

Consult your faculty advisor well in advance of the start of the semester so that you may determine the appropriate options and find the internship project best suited to your needs. [NOTE: All internships are taken with the Pass/Fail grading option, and therefore cannot be used toward the core or the emphasis area].