Oral History Intern – Community Engagement

Duke Careers

Oral History Intern documenting oral history and community stories for Duke University's Community Engagement program. Collaborating on archival projects focusing on African American history and cultural heritage.

Posted 5/1/2026internshipRemote • North Carolina • 🇺🇸 United StatesEntry Level💰 $51,401 - $82,291 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Report to and assist the Community Engagement Coordinator with multi-institutional collaborative oral history projects.
Support oral history and community-based archival projects in collaboration with campus and external partner organizations.
Review and edit oral history transcripts for accuracy, clarity, and consistency.
Assist in creating and refining descriptive metadata to support discovery and long-term access.
Help organize and manage digital files and project documentation using shared tools (e.g., spreadsheets, databases).
Enhance public access and discoverability of oral history projects by contributing to digital storytelling efforts—such as project webpages, blog posts, and other creative initiatives—to promote and activate community stories.
Regularly work in the Rubenstein Reading Room on the circulation desk.
May work occasional evenings.
Routinely move library materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
Must be able to work in an environment in which exposure to materials containing dust and mold is possible.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of community-engaged archival work.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Current enrollment or recent graduation from a master’s program in archival studies, public history, library/information science, or a related field
Interest in oral history, Black history, cultural heritage preservation, and community archives
Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
Advanced organizational, project and time-management skills
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Commitment to inclusive practices and respectful representation of community voices
Preferred: Experience with transcription, metadata, or digital tools, or coursework in archival description or oral history methods.

Benefits

Comp & perks

comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs
generous retirement benefits
wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

oral historyarchival studiesmetadatatranscriptiondigital storytellingproject managementcommunity archivescultural heritage preservationlibrary/information science

Soft Skills

interpersonal skillsoral communicationwritten communicationorganizational skillstime-management skillscollaborative workindependent workcommitment to inclusive practicesrespectful representation