Throughout the year the Naval Historical Center (NHC) offers internship opportunities to students who wish to gain professional work experience in areas related to their educational programs and career goals. Each intern receives orientation in the various branchs of the NHC. The intern assists their assigned branch in its daily operations, and will be responsible for completing an individual project which contributes to the center's work.
Internships are available in four specialties at The Navy Museum. Two of these appeal to historian and education specialists. The third, public relations, provides an unusual opportunity for a college student to gain work experience in a field suitable for any liberal arts student. The fourth, with the design department, allows specialized training for graphics and studio art majors.
The internship program has existed since 1987, and each year has gained an increasing number of interns.
Initially, the program was meant for Naval Academy and NROTC midshipmen, but soon it was extended to civilians. Due to its active international presence, the Navy encourages students from all over the world to participte in the program. This promotes American culture and provides an inside look at the U.S. Navy.
The international interns bring to the Navy a greater understanding of the perception that foreign countries have of the U.S. military, and its image on the world scene.
This summer 34 interns are at work in the Naval Historical Center. Several of them come from all over the world and wish to gain an international experience of work. Five are from France, and one each from Serbia, Mongolia, Germany, Haiti, Great Britain, Switzerland and the Congo.
"The goal of my internship in the Contemporary History Branch is to get another perspective of American foreign policy as well as American anti-terrorism policy. Such elements are important for me since I am majoring in International Relations and I get a wider view of international politics," said Aurelie Trur-Nicli from France who will be interning until August at the NHC.
Mr. Jason Wittemen, who also interns in the same branch, wanted to "gain experience in the field of anti-terrorism and defense policy before entering Temple University in Philadelphia for a master's degree in Military History and National Security."
Most interns working for Dr. Sarandis Papadopoulos in the Contemporary History Branch are helping him with writing his book, "A Long and Tragic Day: The Attack on the Pentagon, 11 September 2001." This book will emphasize the responses and the roles of different individuals and agencies to the Sept. 11 crisis.
Pierre Francois from Strasbourg, France decided to get involved in an internship at the Naval Historical Center to "gain a different work-style experience than the one in Europe," and Shi Chin (Andrew) Lin, a Stanford student, is interning in the Underwater Archeology Branch to "help to define more clearly his career goals."
To appply to the internship program visit the Naval Historical Center web page at http://www.history.navy.mil/index.html and fill out the application form. One letter of recommendation, an unofficial transcript and a writing sample of not less than 1,000 words are required.
Please contact Dr. Furgol, intern coordinator, at (202) 433-6901 (email: Furgol.Edward@nhc.navy.mil).
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