Annemarie Bryans

Majors: History and Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies

Collections Intern at SullivanMunce Cultural Center

How did you learn about this internship opportunity?

I reached out directly to my local historical center to see if they needed help over the summer.

How has your internship helped build your skills and clarify your career goals? How did being a Liberal Arts student at Purdue apply to your internship?

My summer experience as a Collections Intern really validated my desire to work in the museum and library world. I am now planning on applying for grad school to get my master’s in library science.

My primary project was researching and transcribing this set of ten diaries. I was then able to create a small exhibition based on this knowledge. While I learned a lot about research during this experience, I already had foundational historical research skills gained my history courses. Additionally, I had taken quite a few museum studies classes in the hopes of getting the GLAM Certificate (which should officially launch next year in the Fall Semester). These combined course experiences really gave me the foundational knowledge needed to more successfully fulfill my internship responsibilities.

What is a piece of advice you would give someone in your major looking for an internship?

I think networking is essential to landing an internship. I was only able to get an internship this summer because I went in and asked if they were looking for help.

What key responsibilities or tasks have you taken on during your internship?

The local nature of my internship gave me a plethora of responsibilities which not only made every day exciting but gave me the chance to experience every aspect of museum work. I mainly conducted object-based research, but I also helped at every museum event, sat at the information desk, took pictures of newly accessioned items, and assisted with the art camps.

In what ways has the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University supported your internship journey? How has your participation in our job-ready program specifically aided your professional development?

If not for the financial support from the College of Liberal Arts I would not have been able to accept this internship. In this regard, I have the job-ready program to thank for granting me the chance to work in a museum and gain the practical skills needed to push me forward in the field.

Could you highlight a standout aspect of your experience in this program that you find particularly noteworthy?

One standout aspect of this program is the support provided by the CLA career center and staff. Without their help I would not have been able to work at the museum, nor would I have considered simply walking in and asking if they needed a summer intern.