Volunteer and Internships

Thank you for your interest in an internship and/or volunteering at the San Diego Archaeological Center. Applications for Spring 2024 Internship and Volunteer positions are now open. Applications close January 1, 2025.

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!

Maybe you’ve dreamed about being an archaeologist, simply enjoy history or want to learn new skills. We have a job for you! Volunteers are essential to fulfilling the Center’s Mission and we promise you will learn something new every day. The Center welcomes all volunteers and will work with you to discover what you enjoy doing most.

Applications for Spring 2024 Volunteer positions are now open. Applications close January 1, 2025.

Apply for Volunteer Position

Volunteer Opportunities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internships

The Center has been active in preserving the cultural history of San Diego County for over 20 years. We are a museum where visitors can learn the story of how people have lived in San Diego County for the past 10,000 years. In addition, the Center serves as an education and research facility and is the only local organization dedicated to the collection, study, curation, and exhibition of San Diego County’s archaeological artifacts. Our success and contributions to the community are in part due to the contributions made by our interns and volunteers.

The Center is pleased to offer internships in Collections Management, Development & Marketing, Library Science, and Public Archaeology. The valuable archaeological resources curated at the Center offers interns the rare opportunity to work with millions of artifacts, thousands of archaeological reports and documentation never before brought together in one location. Interns can review archaeological theory and methodology of the past, as well as apply the latest ideas to existing collections. Interns gain experience in sharing this precious legacy with the public by designing exhibits or writing curricula. Interns may focus on a particular area of interest while conducting original research.

Although schedules are flexible, interns are expected to complete a minimum 100 hours or the numbers hours required for credit within the semester period. In addition to program and research specific tasks, interns will perform any other related duties as instructed. Interns are required to complete eight hours at either SDAC community events or as museum docent. These additional activities count toward total internship hours. All interns must agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the San Diego Archaeological Center.

Internship Opportunities

 

Application Process

Internships are open to all interested individuals and are available for college credit. The application process is similar for both credit and non-credit applicants. Schools, departments, professors, or professionals may refer interns. Interns may apply for 1, 2 or 3-unit internships with the approval of their schools and sponsoring departments. With approval of their sponsoring agencies, interns may apply for additional internships and may volunteer for non-credit experience.

Applications for Spring 2024 Internships are now open. Applications close January 1, 2025.

Apply for Internship

Frequently Asked Questions

Review some of the frequently asked questions from prospective interns and volunteers.

Public Archaeology

Harness your passion for Public Archaeology and gain hands-on experience with K-12 museum field trips, lectures, and public outreach. 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. Must be able to pass a Live Scan.

Library Science

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

Geographical Information Systems in Archaeology

Prospective Interns must have completed three courses: Introduction to GIS, GIS Database Management, and Intermediate/Advanced Methods in GIS. The intern will be assigned a project where they will create shapefiles and maps for curated archaeological collections, museum exhibits, and/or public outreach using ArcGIS 10.6. Center staff will instruct the intern on archaeological GIS laboratory procedures such as computer cataloguing, storage requirements, and database management.

Development and Marketing

Under the direction of Center staff, the intern will support the department in various activities, including, but not limited to, fundraising and grant research; e-newsletter development; social media marketing; and website maintenance. This internship will give the intern valuable, real-world experience in non-profit fundraising and marketing.

Collections Management

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will prepare one or more archaeological collections for curation. During the course of 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. Center staff will instruct the intern on archaeological laboratory procedures such as basic artifact analysis, manual and computer cataloguing, storage requirements, and preventative conservation. In addition, 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 with regard to archaeological materials.

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.

Volunteer provide support for K-12 programs offered at the Center. These are fun, hands-on programs that kids really enjoy. Teaching experience is a plus, but not required. Background checks are required.

Volunteers support event activities at the Center, such as the Annual BBQ, lectures, workshops, and fundraising events. Be a part of the party!

Docents welcome visitors and answer general questions regarding the Center and exhibits. Docents staff the gift shop and help out with administrative and curatorial tasks.

Marketing and Administrative Volunteers assist the Development Office or Administration Office with data entry, updating marketing materials and clerical tasks. Computer experience is a plus.

Volunteers work in the Center’s Research Library, cataloguing materials and organizing on a computer-based system.

Exhibitions

Exhibitions Volunteers assist with the design, construction, and installation of Center Museum exhibits.

Archaeology Lab Positions

Volunteers will prepare one or more archaeological collections for curation. Center staff will instruct the volunteer on archaeological laboratory procedures such as basic artifact analysis, manual and computer cataloging, storage requirements, and preventative conservation.