The Henry Ford is a nonprofit organization, an internationally recognized cultural destination, and a one-of-a-kind workplace. Our team is inspired daily by one another as well as the authentic stories of innovation that we share across our four venues.
The Ford Foundation Equity Initiative (FFEI) Internship Program is a cohort program that offers professional development, mentorship, and networking opportunities. We invite candidates from diverse backgrounds who are curious about careers in the museum field to become part of our legacy and carry it forward.
Interested candidates will submit a brief statement of purpose (250-500 words) outlining:
- Why they are interested in this internship
- How this opportunity aligns with their academic, personal, or career goals
- The skills, experiences, or perspectives they would bring to the team
- What they hope to learn and accomplish during the internship
The Ford Foundation Equity Initiative Internship Program Overview and Time Commitment
The FFEI Internship Program’s mission is to offer opportunities in museum work to emerging professionals who identify with historically marginalized groups and to invite our interns to think outside the box and explore their careers in new ways.
Participants will engage in the program through various bi-weekly professional development workshops hosted on our Dearborn campus. Bi-weekly workshop attendance and participation are mandatory. Applicants should work with their leadership to ensure proper attendance. Workshops typically occur on Wednesdays during the work week. As part of your employment, we also have our interns participate in an end of cohort survey.
Note: All candidates interested in FFEI Internship roles must have full Wednesday (9am-5pm) availability due to bi-weekly workshop programmatic requirements of the internship.
The 15-week Winter 2027 internship runs January 25–May 7, 2027. Attendance at orientation on January 25 is mandatory.
The Archives Processing Intern will help organize, describe, and preserve Edison Institute archival collections in preparation for The Henry Ford’s 100th anniversary. Working alongside Archives and Library staff, the intern will inventory materials, prepare collection descriptions, improve storage, and update catalog records. This internship offers practical experience in archival processing and helps make the institution’s history accessible for research and discovery.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Review archival materials and create detailed collection inventories under staff guidance
- Help arrange materials according to established archival practices and project guidelines
- Prepare finding aids that describe collection contents and help researchers locate materials
- Rehouse archival materials to improve preservation, organization, and accessibility
- Create and update catalog records in the collections management system
- Review work with Archives staff and incorporate feedback to maintain accurate and consistent documentation
- Collaborate with the Archives and Library team and learn about related collections work
- Participate in required internship orientation and professional development activities
QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a college or university program in history, English, information science, archival studies, or a related field
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel
- Familiar with archival practices and Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)
- Experience processing archival collections through coursework, volunteer work, or employment
- Full Wednesday availability from 9am-5pm for required internship programming
SPECIAL SKILLS
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Clear writing skills and the ability to summarize historical materials accurately
- Ability to follow project guidelines, work independently on assigned tasks, and seek guidance when needed
- Interest in archival collections, preservation, and historical research
- Familiarity with archival practices and Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) is helpful
- Experience processing archival collections through coursework, volunteer work, or employment is helpful but not required
PHYSICAL/MENTAL/ENVIRONMENTAL
Physical: Work involves handling archival materials and lifting or moving boxes weighing up to 30 pounds
Mental: Requires sustained concentration, careful reading, organization, and attention to detail when describing materials and maintaining records
Environment: Work is performed onsite in archival processing and storage areas on The Henry Ford’s Dearborn campus
Internship Program Compensation
Interns are paid under the following paygrades:
- First year intern in school (undergraduate or trade): $17.00
- First year intern with completed degree (undergraduate or trade): $18.00
- Graduate school and postgraduates: $20.00