Hospitality & Special Events Intern

Hospitality & Special Events Intern

We are looking for an energetic and enthusiastic self-starter with exceptional interpersonal communication skills to work alongside our Hospitality & Special Events Manager.

The Hospitality & Events Department is responsible for all aspects of planning, managing and executing the many special events throughout the busy summer season at Hancock Shaker Village.  Special events play an important role in driving and maintaining engagement among new and existing guests and members to the Village.  Examples of special events include concerts, dinners, receptions, and weddings. During your internship, you will gain extensive experience in working with a wide variety of vendors and partners that are essential in the planning and executing of our numerous special events.   

This internship is ideally suited for students in marketing, events and hospitality management. 

For special events, you will serve as the primary assistant to the Events Manager for pre-event planning, event set-up, trouble-shooting during events, and post-event clean up and follow-up. Your work schedule will vary from week to week in accordance with the events schedule.

Qualifications: The Special Events Intern must be exceptionally well-organized, have excellent communication skills in writing, in person, and on the phone; have demonstrated success in working in a fast-paced environment; be flexible and easy-going; be able to follow directions and also show initiative, as the situation requires; must be able to maintain composure and a sense of humor in high-pressure situations.  Prior experience working with the public is helpful but not required.  Experience with Word, Canva and Excel is required.  

General Information

Hancock Shaker Village is a vibrant living history museum and working farm in the Berkshires region of western Massachusetts. The Village is a National Historic Landmark dedicated to sharing the history, legacy, and continuing relevance of the Shakers.

Who are the Shakers and what do you do at your museum? Part of a religious sect devoted to equality and peace, Shakers lived in an intentional community at Hancock from 1790 until 1960.  Although they were founded in England, by 1774 they moved to America and eventually established more than 20 communities throughout New England, Ohio, and Kentucky.

Hancock Shaker Village carefully maintains 20 historic buildings, a collection of 22,000 historic artifacts, and a working farm and garden. The Village is open April through December for self-guided tours, demonstrations, talks, and programs ranging from concerts to goat yoga. Find out more at https://hancockshakervillage.org/.

Why would I want to be an intern at Hancock Shaker Village?

As an intern, you will immerse yourself in the setting and the ethos of this special place. Our rural location provides a peaceful environment close to the amenities of modern life in nearby Pittsfield and other towns in our community. 

More than 50,000 people visit Hancock each year to learn more about the Shakers and to enjoy the many programs we offer.  Working alongside our dedicated staff, interns play a significant role in the successful operation of this public site while expanding their skills in and knowledge of museum functions and practices. This paid internship also includes on-site housing. 

If you are looking for an opportunity to “get away from it all” while forming new friendships and expanding your skill set and knowledge base, this internship program is for you!

What are the internship details?

Internship options: We offer internships in five departments:  Museum Education, Hospitality & Special Events, Engagement & Development, Garden, and Livestock. You apply for a specific internship. Details for each internship are outlined on our website: https://hancockshakervillage.org/home/employment/summer-internship-program/

Dates: In 2026, the ten-week summer program begins on Monday, June 8, and concludes on Friday, August 14.  Internships are full-time (35-40 hours/week). Most interns work Monday-Friday, although certain internships include occasional weekend hours (these weekends are known in advance of arrival).  All interns will help with the annual Gala on Saturday, August 1. 

Compensation: Interns receive a stipend of $3,000, paid in weekly installments of $300, and the opportunity to live in on-site intern housing (provided at no charge). Interns must provide their own food and transportation. Access to a car during the internship is highly recommended for a better experience but is not required. Shared kitchen facilities are part of the internship housing.

What else makes this internship special? In addition to the duties within departments, all Hancock Shaker Village interns participate in a weekly intern meeting for exposure to all aspects of the operation.  Interns also enjoy excursions to regional cultural and agricultural institutions such as The Mount (Edith Wharton’s Home), Clark Art Institute, Mass MoCA, and Hawthorne Valley Farms. Interns take part in craft workshops and have the opportunity to attend other programs at the Village, including goat Yoga. Interns have opportunities to work across departments to gain a richer experience of the Village. 

How to Apply

Applicants should submit through Handshake OR email the following materials directly to Cindy Dickinson, Director of Education, at cdickinson@hancockshakervillage.org:

• a cover letter naming your preferred department and explaining why that’s a good fit for you
• your resume
• the names and contact information of two professional or academic references 

Deadline for applications is Friday, May 15, at 5 pm.

Questions? Contact Cindy Dickinson at cdickinson@hancockshakervillage.org.