Cleveland Museum of Art

Communication and External Relations Intern

June - August 2019 • Cleveland, OH

What I liked

I loved the amount of support I received from my supervisors. My main supervisor was an SU alumna, so she gave me tips on the industry, but she also gave me tips on what classes to take a SU and how to get the most of my time at the university. I also loved that I was doing real work that mattered. I wasn't shuffling papers or getting coffee. My first week at the internship, I was helping host a party for 2,500 people and running social media for the event. I loved that my supervisors trusted me enough to give me big tasks and were willing to listen to my feedback. Lastly, I loved that accessibility of the C-Suite team. I was able to talk to the director and president of the museum many times which was amazing.

What I wish was different

I wish I would have asked my supervisors more questions about how they started out in the industry. I feel like now that I am starting to look at jobs and think about my future, everything seems big and daunting. Having more conversations with my supervisors may have helped me as I begin the process for myself.

Advice

One piece of advice I would share from this experience is to always say yes. When you are in an internship, the best thing you could do is try everything because it helps you gain experiences, good and bad, that will help you make career decisions in the future. If your supervisor(s) trust you to do the job and do it well, take it because chances are they see something in you that you may not see in yourself and they want you to tap into that potential. And don't be afraid to ask questions or say "I don't know." Supervisors understand that internships are a way for students to gave experience, so they don't expect you to be perfect. They expect for you to be willing and wanting to learn.

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Retail Salesperson

July 2018 • Cleveland, OH

What I liked

I loved the multicultural presence as well as a commitment to mutual understanding that is present in the museum's mission. Few places emphasize the shared human experience as well as the Museum. I have been able to connect personally and authentically with people from a variety of different ethnicities, nationalities, and cultures.

What I wish was different

I wish that I had been made aware of the opportunity sooner. If I had known that working at the Museum was a viable option earlier, I would have applied earlier in my college career.

Advice

I would recommend that people look into places that they would otherwise not consider for a summer job or internship. Places like the Cleveland Museum of Art that emphasize a multicultural community are especially beneficial as an undergraduate. This opportunity has broadened my horizon in a multitude of ways, and has demonstrated to me the importance of adaptability, openmindeness, and empathy.

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Digital Innovation and Technology Services Intern

June - August 2018 • Cleveland, OH

What I liked

I really enjoyed the museum experience and being able to work with innovative museum technology and how that impacts visitors and their experiences with art.

What I wish was different

I'm always wanting to learn more so I only wish I had more time to get to know and work with even more departments than I did.

Advice

I would recommend that if you're interested in an internship, even if it's not for school credit, go for it. It's only going to inform you about the line of work you're interested in more and it's extremely beneficial to network and experience new things. I assumed I wouldn't get offered the opportunity but was happily surprised when I was. Cleveland Museum of Art is an amazing, world-class institution that offers incredible opportunities to students who are interested in the museum experience and learning practical knowledge and skills.

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Library Intern

September 2016 - April 2018 • Cleveland, OH

What I liked

Atmosphere

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

Attention to detail

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Public Relations Intern

June - August 2019 • Cleveland, OH

What I liked

I loved that I was able to jump right in and start getting hands-on experience on my first day. I was entrusted with some very large projects and was regularly asked my opinion on events, social media strategy, etc. I was able to explore my own interests with graphic design, event planning, media relations which were not necessarily in my job description. I never really felt like an intern; I felt like I was just a part of the team. Overall, I came out of the experience a lot more well rounded than I went in.

What I wish was different

I wish it would have been longer. Three months is just not enough time. I never wanted to leave.

Advice

If you're interested in something, ASK. Even if it's outside of the scope of your job, you should ask questions and explore your interests. Everyone at CMA is really nice and very willing to help you achieve any goals you set for yourself.

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Director's Fellow

June - August 2019 • Cleveland, OH

What I liked

I really enjoyed the freedom that I had to explore the museum, speak with various staff members, and my own voice as a writer. My supervisor was amazing and made me feel seen, welcome, and comfortable every day.

What I wish was different

I do wish that I would have had more time to travel around the city or region to visit other art institutions.

Advice

Don't be afraid to reach out to folks! I spoke with over ten people who worked in various positions and departments to really learn about my options (career-wise) in a museum. I'd also suggest asking staff members if they know any community members that would be good for you to meet and speak with as well.

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Conservation Intern

February - March 2022 • Cleveland, OH

What I liked

I loved all of it! I learned a lot more about the internal workings of the conservation department and how conservationists work in the first place. Everyone was super nice, too!