Nancy Campbell/National Trust for Historic Preservation Summer Internship Program

Background | Organization | Description | Eligibility | Selection Criteria | Compensation | Process

Deadline: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 by 4:00 p.m.

Background

Nancy N. Campbell is chairman emeritus of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and served as chairman of the National Trusts Campaign for Americas Historic Places. She is a former chairman of both the National Trusts Board of Advisors and the Heritage Society. She served on the White House Millennium Committee to Save Americas Treasures, is a trustee of the Seventh Regiment Armory Conservancy in New York and of Historic Hudson Valley, the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges and the Williamsburg Community Health Foundation. In honor and recognition of her national leadership in historic preservation, friends and admirers of Nancy Campbell, wife of former Wesleyan University President Colin Campbell, established the Nancy Campbell/National Trust for Historic Preservation Summer Internship Program.

Organization

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, chartered by Congress in 1949, is a nonprofit advocacy organization with approximately 250,000 members.  The National Trust is committed to saving America’s diverse historic environments and to encouraging public participation in the preservation of sites, buildings, and objects significant in American history and culture.

Description

The program runs ten weeks from June to August in Washington D.C.  The intern will be involved in a project and attend weekly education seminars and field trips.  Internship projects vary based on National Trust needs developed during the year.  Former intern responsibilities have included research and writing on historical topics, developing architectural and collections databases, marketing the annual conference, promoting a cultural diversity program, and researching community revitalization projects: click here to learn more about what former interns have done.

Eligibility

Completion of sophomore year required by the start of the internship; strong writing, research and computer skills.

Criteria for Selection

The Nancy Campbell Summer Internship Program Committee will evaluate the proposals based on:

• The ability of the internship to enhance the student’s Wesleyan educational experience, provide new skills and/or test or broaden the student’s areas of career interest.
• Proven commitment from a faculty member via a reference.

Compensation

Award is $3,500 for the ten week internship. Housing is not provided.

Note: Wesleyan University does not withhold any taxes on the amounts awarded, nor make any determination on the taxability of these awards.  The amount awarded will be reported on a 1099 Misc. Form for the taxable year as “other income.”  Please consult your tax advisor to determine your tax status and liability. International students should refer to the Financial Aid Web site for details on their tax status.

Process

Applicant must submit four copies of a resume, an unofficial transcript, and a one to two page essay. In addition, we require one copy of a reference from a faculty member addressed to the Campbell Internship Committee included in a sealed envelope in the application packet. For tips on creating a solid proposal, see How to Develop a Great Nancy Campbell/National Trust for Historic Preservation Summer Internship Application.

1. Request a faculty recommendation. Take the time to meet with him or her to provide an overview of your interest in the Campbell and how it meets your career goals. Provide a deadline for picking the recommendation up in a sealed envelope, to be included in your application.
2. Prepare a one to two page statement detailing your interest and how the experience of interning for the National Trust fits your long-term career goals. A CRC staff member will be glad to meet with you to review your statement. For more information on the internship, explore the 2003 Intern Profiles and www.nationaltrust.org (click on “About the Trust” then “Jobs & Internships"). For a good sample of an essay, see Rebecca Linden’s winning essay from 2005.
3. Prepare a resume. Staff at the CRC will be happy to help you develop or polish your resume during Drop In Hours.
4. Download an unofficial transcript from your electronic portfolio.
5. Complete the application.
6. Make four copies of the resume, unofficial transcript and application including the statement of interest.  In addition, we require one copy of the faculty reference addressed to the Committee in a sealed envelope included with the packet.
7. Hand in the copies and recommendation to the CRC on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 by 4:00 p.m.

Questions? Contact crc@wesleyan.edu