Volunteer and Internships

Thank you for your interest in an internship and/or volunteering at the San Diego Archaeological Center. Internships are currently closed.

Application Period:

  • Spring Positions: December 1-31
  • Summer Positions: May 1-31
  • Fall Positions: August 1-31

Center staff continues to encourage and facilitate research projects related to the documentation and artifacts that we preserve. Center staff will assist with navigating collections-based research by helping to identify and provide access to the appropriate materials needed, digital when possible. We invite researchers and students to contact us with research suggestions, or for more information, visit our Research page.

Volunteers

Volunteers Make a Difference!

Volunteers are essential to fulfilling the Center’s Mission, and we promise you will learn something new every day. The Center welcomes qualified volunteers and will work with you to discover what you enjoy doing most.

Most frequently, our volunteers work as docents for the museum. These valuable individuals greet guests, answer questions, and help create a welcoming environment for all who visit.

Applications for Volunteer positions are currently closed.

Internships

Our success and contributions to the community are in part due to the contributions made by our interns and volunteers.

Interns gain practical experience in the long-term stewardship of San Diego County’s archaeological record by working directly with active collections and professional staff. Interns can review archaeological theory and methodology of the past, as well as apply the latest ideas and local trends.

Internship Opportunities

The Center offers internships in Library and Archives, Museum Studies, Photogrammetry, Public Archaeology, and Events and Outreach. Click the buttons below to learn more about each internship option.

 

Qualifications and Requirements
  • Enrolled in or a recent graduate of a degree-seeking program related to archaeology, museum studies, and/or anthropology.
  • Must complete a minimum of 100 hours (Your institutions may require more for full credit).
  • Ability to follow strict rules and regulations regarding the handling of sensitive archaeological materials.
  • Strong attention to detail and interest in the technical aspects of museum stewardship.
  • Complete eight hours throughout their time at either SDAC community events or as a museum docent.
Benefits
  • Professional Development: Interns are invited to attend exclusive workshops led by field experts (2-3 per semester).
  • Academic Credit: The Center works with institutions to provide credit for completed internships.
Application Process

Internships are open to individuals enrolled in a degree-seeking program related to archaeology and are available for college credit. The application process is similar for both credit and non-credit applicants. With approval of their sponsoring agencies, interns may apply for additional internships and may volunteer for non-credit experience.

Internships are currently closed. Please check back December 1-31 for information on spring positions, May 1-31 for information on summer positions, August 1-31 for information on fall positions. For questions, email vol.intern@sandiegoarchaeology.org.

Public Archaeology

Harness your passion for Public Archaeology and gain hands-on experience with archaeological collections, K-12 museum field trips, lectures, and public outreach.

During the internship, the intern will learn to identify artifacts and ecofacts common to the San Diego region, including lithics, ceramics, historical objects, and faunal, botanical, and mineral specimens.

The intern will become familiar with historical trends in archaeological practice in the San Diego area and will be introduced to current legal and ethical issues in archaeological curation as well as the concerns and rights of culturally affiliated groups regarding archaeological materials.

Additional projects may include creating virtual museum exhibits and activities, assisting in the development and implementation of K-12 curricula programs, planning and presenting public facing content, or educational field trip content of your own design. Live Scan required.

Events and Outreach

Events and Outreach Interns assist in delivering engaging archaeology programming throughout San Diego County. You’ll help support events that bring archaeology to life for kids and families at public libraries, schools, community centers, and local businesses. From helping with hands-on pottery workshops to setting up talks on mead history at a local Meadery, you’ll engage with the community and help them understand what makes this field so interesting. This role will also assist with the special events we have planned at the center, such as our Kids Dig Archaeology Summer Camp and our popular Historic Archery days.

This role offers valuable experience in communicating complex topics to diverse audiences, especially our younger learners. It’s a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with children, is comfortable in public settings, and is eager to travel to different sites around San Diego. Live Scan required.

 

Library and Archives

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will arrange and catalog materials in the Center’s library and archaeological archive. During the internship, the intern will take a leading role in cataloging, sorting and storing of research files and creating user guides and finding aids for these collections. Center staff will instruct the intern on archival procedures, computer cataloging, storage requirements, and preventative conservation.

Museum Studies

Mastering the care of collections and their environments is a foundational skill for any professional pursuing a career in archaeology or museum studies. Interns at the Center work alongside the Cultural Resources Department to gain practical experience in high-standard stewardship.

Preventative Conservation: Learn essential methods for protecting artifacts from deterioration, including pest management, environmental monitoring, and specialized gallery maintenance.

Ethical Stewardship: Understand the legal and ethical frameworks governing the curation of archaeological resources and the rights of culturally affiliated groups.

Collections Management: Gain hands-on training in professional museum procedures such as Registration & Cataloging (documenting and identifying artifacts), Inventory Control (maintaining accurate records), and Facility Care (executing housekeeping protocols within the curation lab, museum galleries, and housing facility to ensure long-term preservation).

This internship provides a rare opportunity to apply modern archaeological theory to a massive regional record consisting of millions of artifacts. By participating in daily operations and special projects, interns develop the technical precision required for laboratory and curatorial roles in 2026 and beyond.

Photogrammetry

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will use photogrammetry to prepare one or more archaeological collections for digital preservation, as well as create a virtual museum exhibit for our Public Archaeology department. Per approval, special projects of the intern’s choosing are also available. During the research and planning, the intern will receive guidance as appropriate to their selected project. Prospective interns should already be familiar with photogrammetric procedures, and Agisoft Metashape.