Internships

For more information about the internship program,
please call 203 899 0606, ext. 245

Stepping Stones Museum for Children seeks qualified college students and college graduates to help bring the museum vision to light-to be a premier multi-dimensional educational resource that provides exceptional and meaningful, interactive learning experiences that enrich the lives of all children and families. Interns assist professional museum staff in discovering how development, education, exhibit, human resources and marketing strategies succeed in real world settings. Stepping Stones internships are unique opportunities to be part of a forward thinking, innovative organizational team that is managing for results.

Current positions include;

Development Intern
The Development Internship provides an opportunity to participate in the expansion of development efforts at Stepping Stones Museum for Children. The intern will gain exposure to and skill-building in a range of development activities including donor prospecting, solicitation and stewardship. The intern will be expected to become an active and contributing member of the Development Department.

Responsibilities:

  • Conduct research into potential corporate, foundation and individual donors
  • Make recommendations for successful donor partnerships
  • Participate in the integration of research prospects into larger fundraising strategies
  • Prepare letters of inquiry, proposals and reports
  • Assist with planning special events
  • Appropriately represent Stepping Stones Museum for Children to external contacts
  • Provide progress reports to staff contact/supervisor when requested

Skills & Qualifications:

  • High-level research experience
  • Desire to work in the museum or nonprofit fields
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Critical and creative thinking skills

Education Programs Intern
The Education Programs Internship provides exposure to planning and programming in the museum education field with a focus on program research, development and delivery and Resource Center operation. The intern will assist with workshops, tours and programs, plan and execute special events, research exhibit and program development projects and participate in evaluation of current exhibits and programs. 

Responsibilities:

  • Enhance the organization, staffing and content of Resource Center
  • Assist with the planning and execution of special events
  • Research opportunities to collaborate with local organizations and performers
  • Collaborate with staff to offer interactive and comprehensive tours and programs
  • Participate in evaluation of current exhibits and programs

Skills & Qualifications:

  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team
  • Experience working with children
  • Excellent communication and demonstrated leadership skills
  • Desire to work in education, museum, marketing or related fields
  • College junior and seniors, recent graduates, and graduate students may apply

Exhibit Outcomes Intern
Working with the Education and Exhibits teams, the intern will assess audience outcomes relating to the museum's state of the art exhibits using a direct observation technique to collect, summarize and analyze data. The intern will assist professional staff in discovering how audiences are incorporating learning from their museum experience into their everyday lives.

Responsibilities

  • Directly observe visitor interactions with select exhibits using data collection tool
  • Record observations and visitor comments
  • Interview visitors in a friendly, casual manner
  • Provide completed observation sheets and feedback to supervisor
  • Assist in compilation and analysis of data

Requirements

  • Interest in human behavior
  • College major in museum studies, psychology/ behavioral sciences, marketing and communications, arts administration, education, business or social sciences
  • Self-motivation with excellent time management skills
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to facilitate conversations with unbiased approach
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Human Resources Intern

The Human Resources Internship provides an opportunity to participate in the strengthening of employee and volunteer recruitment, training and recognition initiatives in a dynamic not for profit setting. The position involves high-level research into industry best practices, communication with staff, board and operating committees regarding findings and the development of plans for long-term inclusion of new measures. Results will be utilized to improve the competency and satisfaction of staff and volunteer team members in a greater effort to serve Stepping Stones constituents. 

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Collaborate with Organizational Development Committee to prioritize projects involving Talent Management, Total Rewards, Safety and Security
  • Create framework for year-long training plan for staff and volunteers
  • Conduct on and off-site research to revise employee performance evaluation process
  • Participate in the integration of project findings into long-term strategic plans
  • Provide progress reports to staff contact/supervisor when requested
  • Appropriately represent Stepping Stones Museum for Children to external contacts

Skills & Qualifications:

  • Desire to work on business and human resources projects in the museum field
  • Advanced academic coursework or related professional experience
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Critical and creative thinking skills

Marketing Intern

Qualifications:

College student working towards a degree in Marketing, Communication or Business (if you have a major not listed above please explain in your cover letter how your experience/academic background makes you a good candidate)

Requirements:

  • Ambitious self-starter with a strong interest in marketing, public relations, education/family oriented events and programs, and the workings of a non-profit museum
  • Well organized, reliable, and committed to the team's success
  • Excellent writing ability, strong interpersonal communication skills and professional demeanor
  • Flexible, quick learner and able to work in a fast-paced and changing environment

Responsibilities include:

  • Assist in program/event promotion, such as concept development, copywriting or design
  • Support administrative functions, such as direct mailings, analysis and trend/market research
  • Database management, such as email collection and promotional tracking
  • Conduct focus groups and surveys with visitors, analyze data and report on findings
  • Maintain collection and organization of press clippings
  • Research potential partnerships, events & vendor opportunities
  • Online research of target markets, trends, advertising opportunities
  • Assist with planning and execution of special events, including setup, assisting photographer and interacting with visitors

Helpful, but not required:

  • Working knowledge of HTML
  • Adobe Photoshop (or other related graphic software)
  • Broad knowledge of web 2.0 Internet sites, the social web and effective online researching
  • Fluency in Spanish

Opportunities to learn:

  • Attend and contribute to the weekly staff and interdepartmental meetings to learn more about the decisions and processes at a non-profit organization/children’s museum
  • Development of a work portfolio, including program outlines, promotional materials or research reports
  • Reference and letter of recommendation upon satisfactory completion of Marketing Internship Program
  • Training and first-hand experience in personal areas of interest, such as press releases, event production, advertising, design, Internet marketing, etc.
  • Integration with all museum departments, including Marketing, Development, Technology, Education and Visitor Experience, in order to gain a broad understanding of how the organization functions
  • Course credit, based on University qualifications

This is an unpaid internship. Hours are flexible, but must be able to commit to at least 10 hours per week during one semester. Please keep in mind the more hours scheduled, the more involved the projects and learning experience will be.

To apply please email your resume and a cover letter, as well as your days and hours of availability, to:

Jennifer E. Milano, Marketing Coordinator
jennifer@steppingstonesmuseum.org

 

Testimonials
"Working at Stepping Stones has been one of the most beneficial and enjoyable intern experiences in college. Not only was I treated as part of the team in the Development Department, but I also was able to gain the experience necessary for the future. I learned how to research, develop and make recommendations based on information that I had gathered on my own. I also developed a better understanding of what it is like to work in a non-profit setting and I became skilled at writing letters of inquiry and putting together prospect worksheets. I was also able to fine-tune my skills as working together as part of a team and to develop more confidence in taking initiative for different research into potential corporate, foundation and individual donors. The internship would be valuable to anyone who is looking for an amazing experience.” Morgan West, Fairfield University, Class of 2007.

"I could not be happier with my internship at Stepping Stones. It has fulfilled and exceeded my expectations. The wonderful staff valued my input from the very beginning, allowing me not only to observe, but also to jump right in and participate from day one. As the Education Programs Intern, I was allowed to try my hand at everything- ranging from researching potential performers to teaching a workshop. I gained valuable experience by seeing firsthand the inner workings of a children's museum. My internship at Stepping Stones allowed me to see which elements of an Education Department I would ultimately like to be involved with, and gave me so much insight into my future career goals. Before I came to Stepping Stones, I had no museum experience, and now leaving, I am confident that I have the tools I need to secure my first job in the museum world.” Kristin Nelson, Washington University in St. Louis, Class of 2006.

Time Commitment
Internships are unpaid, 8-12 week commitments with flexible 10-15 hour per week schedules. Opportunities to fulfill course credit are available.

How to Apply
Please submit a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in an internship position at Stepping Stones Museum for Children to:

Tammi Small, Adult Volunteer Programs Coordinator
Stepping Stones Museum for Children
Mathews Park, 303 West Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850
Tammi@steppingstonesmuseum.org

For more information about the internship program, please call 203 899 0606, ext. 245.