We strongly encourage our anthropology students to gain first-hand experience with
the world’s cultural and ethnic diversity and heritage as much as possible while with
us as undergraduates.
Do It!
Find a learning experience that matches your interests. Our faculty, as advisors,
assist students in exploring and pursuing internship opportunities, whether it be
primate field study abroad, an ethnographic field school in the southwest or a semester
at a university in a country such as England or Chile.
Although internships and other field experiences are not mandatory, we place a high
value on their significance and benefit as a learning experience. We help you organize
these experiences to meet your needs and interests.
Our students have recently interned in communities in Alaska, a summer camp in New
York State, historical museums, and local schools, and have participated in archaeological
field schools. In addition, students often take advantage of the more than 300 available
study abroad programs, especially those in Latin America and Europe.
Local Internship Opportunities
Internship work at local and regional museums and businesses is occasionally available
for anthropology students and typically involves the student receiving 3-6 credits
of independent study. Interns may help with curation, archival work, computer data
entry, docent activities, etc., as required by the site. In the past, students have
carried out internships at the Clinton County Historical Museum (Plattsburgh), the
Kent-Delord House Museum (Plattsburgh), the Adirondack Museum (Blue Mountain Lake)
and the New York State Museum in Albany.
The following are ethnographically/social science-grounded internships sponsored by
the Department of Anthropology. By ethnographically-grounded, we mean focused on the
human dimensions of the experience, in which interns will engage in thinking ethically
and anthropologically. In order to ensure an anthropologically/social sciences-grounded
internship, interns are encouraged to enroll, concurrently (for fall internships),
in the Internship Seminar (ANT451a) in which the anthropological/social science aspects
of the internships will be clarified through group discussion.
Fall 2023 — Internship opportunity for a deep dive into small business ownership
Final due date for internship proposals: Aug. 31, 2023 at 2 p.m.
Minimum 3hr/week on site
Scheduling is flexible
Small Business in Rural Communities
Dive into the world of independent beauty salons in the North Country. Acquire first-hand
accounts of salon ownership, learn how entrepreneurs got their businesses going and
now keep them going. Intern will do interviewing and observations. Also, may include
meeting students of local beauty and aesthetician programs who aspire to open their
own independent beauty salons.
Minimum Requirements
Minimum sophomore standing or POI.
An interest in the social sciences (e.g. anthropology, sociology, political science,
etc.), historical research, entrepreneurship, gender, culture and community, education,
community outreach, and rural economies.
Initiative and the ability to collaborate with diverse groups of people.
Enthusiasm and willingness to learn about small business, entrepreneurship, economics,
the beauty industry, human dynamics and culture!
All interested students are encouraged to contact Dr. Amy Mountcastle, Department
of Anthropology, [email protected] or Dr. Deborah Altamirano, Department of Anthropology, [email protected]
Kent Delord House Museum 17 Cumberland Ave. Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Fall 2023 — Multiple internship opportunities
Final due date for internship proposals: Aug. 31, 2023 at 2 p.m.
Minimum 3 hours/week on site.
Scheduling is flexible.
Archival Research Research the history of the Kent DeLord House and learn about the people who lived
and worked there. Expand knowledge of the Kent-Delord house as a part of Plattsburgh’s
history and as a tourist destination.
Media/Local Outreach/Networking Publicize the museum to local schools, SUNY Plattsburgh, and the local community.
Promote the House Museum as a tourist attraction. Network with other tourist organizations
such as the Adirondack Cultural Coast Alliance and other heritage sites and museums
through the region.
Cultural Analysis and Representation Examine and analyze how cultural materials are displayed in the Kent DeLord House
Museum. How is the culture of the past represented, what are the social issues and
how do we connect this to the present?
Minimum Requirements:
Minimum sophomore standing or POI.
An interest in the social sciences (e.g. anthropology, sociology, political science
etc.), museums, archaeology, and artifact analysis, tourism, education, community
outreach.
Initiative and the ability to collaborate with diverse groups of people
Enthusiasm and willingness to learn about museums, local history, human dynamics and
culture!
All interested students are encouraged to contact Dr. Amy Mountcastle, Department
of Anthropology, [email protected] or Dr. Deborah Altamirano, Department of Anthropology, [email protected]
The William H. Miner Agricultural Institute 1034 Miner Farm Rd. Chazy, N.Y.
Fall 2023 — Multiple opportunities available
Final due date for internship proposals: Aug. 31, 2023 at 2 p.m.
Minimum 3 hours/week.
Scheduling is flexible.
Archaeological and GIS Mapping Work on mapping of the Miner Farm properties using archaeological methods and/or GIS
technology. Identification/ preliminary excavation of archaeologically significant
sites. May also include archival “digging” or research of the many projects of William
H. Miner.
Social and Community Research Conduct interviews and collect oral histories of former Miner Farm employees. Research
the role of immigrants at the Miner. Research the contributions of William H. Miner
and the Institute to the overall development of the North Country.
Marketing/Media/Networking Enhance information access to and about the Miner Institute. Design media/social media
campaigns to expand outreach to a wide range of audiences about Miner Farm and its
important history. Design demographic-specific (multigenerational) media. Use multiple
forms of media to expand networking and outreach to other local, national, and international
heritage sites and audiences, assist in organizing institute events.
Ethnographical and Historical/Archival Research—Equine Program
Interns will conduct social science research, including participant- observation,
to learn about the Miner Institute/Hearts Delight Equine Program and the experiences
of the animal science/equine management students participating in the Institutes Equine
Program. Interns may learn about the contributions of the Miner Farm’s horse program
to the socio-cultural, economic and environmental development of the North Country
and the broader Champlain Valley. Potential Site Supervisor(s), Karen Lassell, Equine
Manager/Amy Bedard, Librarian.
Minimum Requirements:
Minimum sophomore standing or POI.
An interest in the social sciences (e.g. anthropology, sociology, political science,
etc.), historical research, entrepreneurship, gender, culture and community, education,
community research, and rural economies.
Initiative and the ability to collaborate with diverse groups of people.
Interest in how the William H Miner Institute has contributed to the local area.
All interested students are encouraged to contact Dr. Amy Mountcastle, Department
of Anthropology, [email protected] or Dr. Deborah Altamirano, Department of Anthropology, [email protected]
North Star Underground Railroad Museum 1131 Mace Chasm Rd. Ausable Chasm, N.Y. 12911
Fall 2023 — Multiple opportunities available
Final due date for internship proposals: Aug. 31, 2023 at 2 p.m.
Minimum 3 hours/week on site
Scheduling is flexible
Media and Community Outreach Use your communication and social media skills to develop an outreach campaign for
this important local museum and tourist destination that highlights our area as a
path on the Underground Railroad, the term used to describe the network that helped
enslaved people escape to freedom in Canada. The North Star Underground Railroad Museum
is an incredible resource for anyone, worldwide, who is interested in the history
of abolition. Interns design and enhance media/social media content about the museum
and expand interest and access worldwide.
Traveling Trunk Shows Develop educational materials for K-12 students about the Underground Railroad in
the North Country. Design innovative and interactive shows that inform, engage and
excite students about this underrepresented aspect of local history. Interns may also
deliver these materials in schools.
Minimum Requirements:
Minimum sophomore standing or POI.
An interest in the social sciences (e.g. anthropology, sociology, political science,
etc.), historical research, tourism, education, community outreach, video production
and design.
Initiative and the ability to collaborate with diverse groups of people.
Enthusiasm and willingness to learn about museums, local history, human dynamics and
culture.
All interested students are encouraged to contact Dr. Amy Mountcastle, Department
of Anthropology, [email protected] or Dr. Deborah Altamirano, Department of Anthropology, [email protected]