10 Reasons You Should Want To Be A Junior Fellow

(The following is a guest post written by Kaleena Black, program manager for the 2016 Junior Fellows Summer Intern Program.)

Are you thinking about applying to the Library of Congress Junior Fellows Summer Intern Program, but aren’t quite sure? The program is a 10-week paid fellowship for undergraduate and graduate students who will work full-time with Library specialists and curators to inventory, describe and explore collection holdings and to assist with digital-preservation outreach activities throughout the Library. Fellows will be exposed to such Library work as collection processing, digital preservation, educational outreach, access, standards-setting and information management. More information can be found here.

Still not sure? Well, here are 10 reasons why we think you should!

1. Spend a summer in Washington, D.C.

Working, networking and experiencing all that the nation’s capital has to offer.

2. Gain valuable professional experience.

The program offers in-depth opportunities for career development and exploration, through an array of exciting projects.

3. A great research opportunity on the east coast.

No matter your interest, the fellows can get real “Indiana Jones” with our collections. (Think: researching rare collections, exploring stereographs and daguerreotypes, testing paper samples, producing digital bags, buckets and portals.)

4. Cool curators and trailblazing technicians.

Collaborate with and receive mentorship from world-class curators and top-notch technicians. (Seriously, the Library staff is some of the greatest.)

5. Friends in your field.

Connect with a cohort of talented, motivated undergraduate and graduate students from across the country.

6. Gain an edge.

Participate in tours, cutting-edge seminars, meet-and-greets and other enrichment activities. Enhance your summer experience and supplement all the cool project work that you’ll be doing.

7. Money

This internship offers a stipend.

8. Making a mark.

Showcase your project achievements and discoveries through opportunities like Display Day, blogs, lightning talks or panel discussions.

9. Access to Washington, D.C.’s most “beautiful” building.

Did we mention that you get to work at the Library of Congress, an unbelievable treasure chest of history, culture, creativity and knowledge? You’ll get some amazing, behind-the-scenes access to the largest library in the world. Plus, you’ll be contributing to the legacy of work at this truly awe-inspiring cultural institution.

10. It’s really fun!

Enough said.

Convinced yet? Then visit USAJOBS for the application.