Mellon Humanities Internship Program

Empowering students with purposeful internships, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world career opportunities for every student.

Mellon Humanities Internship Program

The Mellon Internship Program aims to provide undergraduate humanities students with meaningful work experience through paid internships and career development workshops. In this program, students will learn to better identify and articulate the skillsets that they have developed through their humanities studies to help prepare you for future careers.

Applications for Fall 2024 are now closed. Applications for Spring 2025 internships will be considered on a rolling basis.

What are the humanities?

The humanities are broadly defined as studies of society and culture that emphasize storytelling, creativity, and the uniquely human element. UMKC's humanities degree programs are

  • Anthropology
  • Art History
  • Classical and Ancient Studies
  • Communication and Journalism*
  • Digital and Public Humanities
  • English
  • Film and Media Arts*
  • History
  • International Studies
  • Medieval and Early Modern Studies
  • Media, Art and Design*
  • Philosophy
  • Race, Ethnic and Gender Studies
  • Sociology*
  • Studio Art*
  • World Languages and Cultures

*some coursework or internships within this degree program may not be eligible for Mellon funding. Contact the Mellon Internship Team for more information.

Who is eligible for a Mellon internship?

This program is open to undergraduate students who are looking for an internship AND undergraduate students who have already secured an internship who are interested in funding and career development workshops. Internships through the Mellon Program pay $15/hour.

Students participating in the Mellon Internship Program should:

  • be pursuing a degree in the humanities (major or minor).
  • enroll in their department's 3 credit hour internship course (e.g. HISTORY 392C or REGS 495).
  • attend the required career development workshops offered by the Center for Digital and Public Humanities.
  • be able to commit 160 hours to working at their internship.
    • Fall/spring semester: 10 hours/week for 16 weeks
    • Summer: 20 hours/week for 8 weeks

What is involved in the internship course?

As part of the Mellon Internship Program, students are required to enroll in their department's internship course (for example, HISTORY 392C or REGS 495). Most of the content of the course will be actually working at the internship. Any additional assignments will be at the instructor's discretion. 

In addition, students participating in the Mellon Internship Program will be required to attend career development and professionalization workshops over the course of the semester. During the fall/spring, students must attend 9 workshops: 6 required sessions and 3 of the student's choice. During the summer, interns must attend all 4 workshops. These workshops are included as part of the student's weekly working hours.

 

Fall 2024 Workshop Schedule

All programming will take place in Education 115.

August 14, 12-2:30 p.m. - Internship Orientation - Remote

Interns will be prepared for what to expect from their internship experience, including workplace etiquette, professional communication, and more.

September 11, 12-1:30 p.m. - Introduction to Career Services

Interns will explore the resources provided by UMKC Career Services.

October 2, 12-1:30 p.m. - Making Your Humanities Skills Legible

Led by UMKC History alum Matt Reeves, this workshop will focus on how humanities students can present their skills to employers who may not be aware of their applicability in a range of industries.

October 23, 12-1:30 p.m. - Thinking Entrepreneurially

This workshop will cover basic concepts related to fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, key tools and frameworks used by entrepreneurs, and how to use these tools to define, propose, and scope a project for a client or customer.

November 13, 12-1:30 p.m. - Humanities Careers Roundtable - Scofield 109

Humanities alumni from UMKC will discuss strategies for students to prepare for their careers after graduation. Topics will include networking, resumes, and securing grant funding.

December 4, 12-1:30 p.m. - End-of-Semester Celebration - Scofield 109

A social gathering where the internship cohort can celebrate their hard work and reflect on their experiences.

Elective workshops will be announced on the Center for Digital and Public Humanities.

Spring 2025 Workshop Schedule

Workshop location TBA.

January 15, 12-2:30 p.m. - Internship Orientation - Remote

Interns will be prepared for what to expect from their internship experience, including workplace etiquette, professional communication, and more.

February 12, 12-1:30 p.m. - Thinking Entrepreneurially

This workshop will cover basic concepts related to fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, key tools and frameworks used by entrepreneurs, and how to use these tools to define, propose, and scope a project for a client or customer.

March 5, 12-1:30 p.m. - Introduction to Career Services

Interns will explore the resources provided by UMKC Career Services.

April 2, 12-1:30 p.m. - Making Your Humanities Skills Legible

Led by UMKC History alum Matt Reeves, this workshop will focus on how humanities students can present their skills to employers who may not be aware of their applicability in a range of industries.

April 23, 12-1:30 p.m. - Humanities Careers Roundtable - Scofield 109

Humanities alumni from UMKC will discuss strategies for students to prepare for their careers after graduation. Topics will include networking, resumes, and securing grant funding.

May 7, 12-1:30 p.m. - End-of-Semester Celebration

A social gathering where the internship cohort can celebrate their hard work and reflect on their experiences.

Ready to Get Started?

 

 

Mellon Internship Program Team

Jenni Frangos

Director
Email: frangosj@umkc.edu
Ask me about: Students and employers interested in participating in the Mellon Internship Program.

Sandra Enríquez

Assistant Director/Head Internship Coordinator
Email: enriquezs@umkc.edu
Ask me about: Students and employers interested in participating in the Mellon Internship Program.

Anabeth Laaker

Program Coordinator
Email: aclaaker@umkc.edu
Ask me about: Students and employers interested in participating in the Mellon Internship Program.

Principal Investigators

Tamara Falicov

Principal Investigator and Dean, SHSS

Diane Mutti-Burke

Principal Investigator and Programming Lead
Email: muttiburked@umkc.edu
Ask me about: Career development and professionalization workshops

Jeff Rydberg-Cox

Principal Investigator and Programming Lead
Email: rydbergcoxj@umkc.edu
Ask me about: Career development and professionalization workshops