Internships
Experience the thrill and rewards of working in a student program at the Smithsonian Facilities. There's no limit as to how far our opportunities can take you. At Smithsonian Facilities, you'll have the opportunity to gain insight into the different facets of facilities and engineering, explore new career avenues and acquire lifelong skills. Why choose an internship with Smithsonian Facilities? We are comprised of multiple disciplines including:
- Architecture
- Business Administration
- Construction Management
- Engineering
- Facility Management
- Geospatial
- Horticulture
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic onsite internships have been paused at this time. Internships will be held virtually until further notice.
Internships are offered in the spring, summer, fall, and winter terms to undergraduates or graduate students who have not yet completed their degrees.
Office of Planning, Design and Construction
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How to Apply
To apply online, visit the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA) at solaa.si.edu. Create an account and go to Start Your Application.
- Select "Smithsonian Facilities" from the drop-down Office/Museum/Research Center list and click on the search button.
- Submit an online application and be sure to indicate the internship opportunity, project name and the session you are applying for (Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter)
- You will be required to upload supporting materials, including an essay, résumé, academic transcripts, and two letters of recommendation. Your essay should describe your background, interest in field, career goals and why you choose the internship opportunity (1-2 pages)
Application Deadlines
Duration: In general internship durations will follow the schedule above however, there is room for flexibility.
Eligibility & Qualifications for Prospective Smithsonian Facilities Interns:
- Must be in good academic standing at college/university
- Most require English proficiency in written and oral communication.
- Must submit complete application package through SOLAA
- Must pass background investigation
- Must provide and verify housing for term of internship
- Must provide proof or citizenship or F-1 Visa
- Must have a bank account for direct deposit of stipend payments
- We are currently not accepting high school student applicants for our internship programs.
Requirements
- Submit an online application
- College Transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- Résumé
- Essay describing background, interest in field, career goals, and why you choose the internship opportunity (1-2 pages)
How does the ID process work?
All academic appointees in residence for 30 days or longer should have received paperwork from Smithsonian Facilities for a background clearance to be sent and delivered to the Office of Protection Services (OPS) Personnel Security and ID Office. The intern would make an appointment with OPS using the OPS appointment scheduler. Click here to schedule an appointment.
How long will the internship last?
10-16 weeks
Do interns receive IRS Form W-2's or Form 1099's?
Since interns are stipend recipients and not contractors or employees, they do not receive a W-2. They will, however, receive a Financial Statement if they are a U.S. Resident and a 10425 if they are a non-U.S. resident. Recipients will be notified by mail around February or March.
Will I receive pay stubs?
Since the IRS does not consider interns to be employees of the Smithsonian, we do not provide pay stubs. The Smithsonian does direct deposits.
Do interns have to report stipends to the IRS?
It is the responsibility of interns to report their stipend earnings to the IRS. Smithsonian Facilities cannot offer any specific guidance on how to file taxes, since we are not tax experts. Please refer to the IRS website for specific instructions.
Do all internships have stipends?
Some Smithsonian Facilities internships come with stipends, some don’t. Each internship is different. To find out which programs provide a stipend go to our website https://www.sifacilities.si.edu/internship.html.
If I am awarded an Internship, will that guarantee me a job when the appointment is over?
No. You will gain knowledge and experience by participating in the appointment. Information on employment at the Smithsonian Institution can be found online, click here to view available positions