My initial expectations about an internship with the Smithsonian Institution were that I would be able to intern at the Smithsonian in a hybrid work position, because I live in Northern Virginia. I am close enough to to travel to Washington, DC, but not on a daily basis. I had thought it would be beneficial to meet other employees in person, in order to build a network of professional contacts. I also thought that my tasks would be similar to our coursework projects, in building digital exhibits using primary source materials.
While travel to the Smithsonian Washington DC office is not officially part of the GMU virtual internship program, those of us who do live nearby are invited to come to the office if we so choose. I was surprised at how long the commute actually takes. I have driven in, taken the Metro, and the Virginia Railway Express. Each of these modes of transportation have taken me about two and a half hours each way, longer than I had anticipated. And due to recent winter weather, I have been unable to get into the office this semester.
One of the digital skills that my immediate supervisor, Rebecca Fenton, has been trying to arrange for me to learn is how to use the digital access management system, otherwise known as DAMS. Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, it has not happened yet, but I am hopeful it will take place soon. Another task which is part of the project I have been working on, transcribing and adding time stamps to the audio recordings from last summer’s Folklife Festival, is to find a corresponding picture from the session. However, these pictures are not digitized, so looking at photos and choosing the most appropriate one must take place in person. I am looking forward to learning how this process works, as soon as I can get back in to the office.
What I was not expecting but has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience, are all the programs, activities and field trips planned and offered by the Smithsonian’s Office of Academic Appointments and Internships, which Rebecca Fenton has encouraged me to participate in as much as possible. I have been able to meet and build initial connections with fellow interns by attending their in-person tours at The Library of Congress, Air and Space, Natural History, and the National Museum of the American Indian. I will be attending several zoom events this week, and have signed up for more in-person tours. Charlotte Corneliusen, the Enrichment Program Coordinator, is a fellow GMU graduate who also completed the Digital Public Humanities Certificate program a few years ago. Meeting Charlotte and having opportunities to talk with her about the program have been a positive, unexpected part of this internship program.
This is a picture outside of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. I attended a delicious luncheon and tour in November, sponsored by the Smithsonian’s Office of Academic Appointments and Internships.
