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Student Employment

The Wolfsonian opens pathways to museum careers by expanding and enhancing professional development opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students at Florida International University. Please see below for information about current programs and eligibility.

Internships

The Wolfsonian employs FIU students through various semester-long, part-time internships designed to maximize hands-on training and exposure to a wide variety of museum operations and practices. Focusing on building core and specialized skills required by aspiring arts professionals, the Wolfsonian internship experience includes project-based assignments in host departments, mentorship opportunities, and access to professional development activities such as career roundtables, off-site collection tours, and cover letter and resume writing workshops.

Beginning in 2023, all positions will be paid at $20 per hour, funded by a 3-year, $250,000 Museums Empowered grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) that equips students with the resources and support they need to succeed in the arts.

Our internships follow FIU's academic calendar, require a commitment of 10–20 hours per week (within normal business hours, Monday–Friday), and are on-site unless otherwise noted. Applications from undergraduate students are given the highest priority. 

SPRING: January–April | application deadline: October 21
SUMMER: May–August | application deadline: March 11
FALL: August–December | application deadline: July 9

  • Academic Credit

    The Wolfsonian is happy to meet specific university requirements so that interns can receive course credit, however this must be arranged through the student's advisor or program head; options and opportunities vary by unit.

  • Available Positions

    The application cycle for Summer 2025 Wolfsonian internships is now closed. Please check back soon for information on Fall 2025.

Graduate Assistantships

Since its inception in 2015, The Wolfsonian's Graduate Assistantship program (formerly the Metadata Squad) has provided invaluable pre-professional experience to dozens of FIU graduate students from diverse academic disciplines, allowing them to build expertise across various museum specialties.

During their year-long appointments, Graduate Assistants (GAs) work in one or multiple departments, determined by the needs of the museum and the student's area of study. In addition to departmental work, GAs will engage in The Wolfsonian's student success program, which offers professional development opportunities, an introduction to museum careers, and participation in discussions on key topics in the field. Past GAs have contributed significantly to museum projects, including digitization efforts, collection research, website and social media content, and strategic initiatives.

All Wolfsonian Graduate Assistants receive:

  • A tuition waiver sponsored by their academic department
  • $10,140 stipend
  • Insurance benefits

Eligibility:

  • Full-time enrollment (9 credit hours per semester) in a master's, specialist, or doctoral degree program
  • Satisfactory academic and work performance
  • A minimum 3.0 cumulative graduate grade point average
  • A commitment to working 20 hours per week at the museum (GAs cannot hold other positions without written approval from the University Graduate School)

Applicants are encouraged to reach out to academic@thewolf.fiu.edu prior to applying.

  • Available Positions

    To apply, complete our Graduate Assistantship Application Form. The application deadline is June 9, 2025, for the 2025–2026 academic year.

    Graduate Collections + Registration Assistant
    The Graduate Collections + Registration Assistant supports the museum's collections staff in a variety of tasks crucial to care, management, and reorganization of the museum's collection during a significant transition period. This role offers the opportunity to learn policies and procedures related to the care, preservation, and documentation of the museum's diverse collection. The assistant will help with the inventory, cataloging, location tracking, housing, handling, and relocation of collection objects and library materials, ensuring safe and efficient transfer.

    Graduate Curatorial + Exhibitions Assistant
    The Graduate Curatorial + Exhibitions Assistant will work closely with the curatorial and exhibitions staff, playing a key role in the development of several upcoming exhibitions including conducting research on The Wolfsonian's extensive art collection and library holdings. In this role, the assistant will gain in-depth knowledge of museum practices, develop critical analytical skills, deepen their appreciation for the Wolfsonian collection, and gain broader experience in exhibition creation from both practical and theoretical perspectives.

    Graduate Library + Research Assistant
    The Graduate Library + Research Assistant will play a role in advancing the museum library's records and resources, having the opportunity to work closely with several significant collections. Key projects include researching, accessioning, cataloging, and making protective enclosures for rare books, periodicals, and ephemera. Emphasis will be placed on processing materials related to steamship travel and maritime history of the early and mid-20th century, as well as the Sharf Collection, which contains thousands of items relating to national fairs, military conflicts, British colonial ventures, and the rise of the modern Japanese empire. This position offers a unique opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the museum's collections while honing primary research skills essential for graduate-level scholarship.

    Graduate Public Engagement Assistant
    The Graduate Public Engagement Assistant will gain experience with the museum's outreach to a variety of audiences through educational programs and exhibitions. This role will involve contributing to the realization of K–12 programs, providing educational support for diverse audiences, and assisting in the development of the forthcoming exhibition Good Vibrations: Resonator Guitars and American Music (working title). Tasks will include preparing for and participating in projects directed towards families, K–12 and university students, and adult audiences. Emphasis will be placed on learning how to engage with audience members of various ages and how to interpret art and other objects for these audiences.

  • Members to Date

    Adriana Romero
    Bo Rodgers
    Brahim Almarales
    Casimir Padron
    Chantal Amallares
    Crystal Garcia*
    Daniel Valladares*
    Denise Balbino
    Divina Herzog
    Genevieve Rossin
    Geraldine Bello
    Gisela Sarabia Sandoval
    Isabel Brador
    Jeannette Portuondo
    Jonathan Klein
    Jorge Paradilla
    Joshua Wolf
    Lauraelena Guerrero
    Leonardo Falcon
    Margaret Merrill
    Mark Herrera
    Meghann Chavez
    Nina Ellery Lustosa Furtado de Oliveira
    Rachel Gonzalez
    Rafael Portilla
    Shawbeta Seal
    Susana Perez
    Ynes Moreno* 

    *2-year assistantships