We encourage work-study and non-work-study students to apply. This internship is only open to undergraduate students with a declared or proposed major or minor in the Humanities Division and requires work authorization.
Application Deadline: Sunday, October 19, 2025
The Humanities Experiential Career Exploration and Learning (EXCEL) Program connects undergraduate Humanities majors and minors with community partners for paid internships. Fellows gain valuable professional experience while exploring potential career paths.
We have two internships with the San Lorenzo Valley Museum:
View: Interpretations Fellow
Internship Details
Partner Organization: San Lorenzo Valley Museum
Location: In Person – The San Lorenzo Valley Museum is located at 12547 CA-9, Boulder Creek, CA 95006
- UCSC Humanities funds a ZipCar account so students can book vehicles to travel to work or required events in Santa Cruz County if needed.
Duration: January 2026-June 2026
Hours: ~10 hours/week working with your class schedule
Pay: $20/hour
Mentorship: You will report to Lisa Robinson, who works in Collections & Interpretations. The partner supervisor will delegate tasks and review your work, provide coaching, and help you understand the realities of working in this field. You will meet to check in at least once per week
About the San Lorenzo Historical Society
The mission of the San Lorenzo Valley Museum is to preserve and share the history of the San Lorenzo Valley. They do this by collecting and exhibiting artifacts, gathering historical information, and providing education through the San Lorenzo Valley Museum and our educational outreach programs.
What You’ll Do – Interpretations Intern
“Documenting the past to inform the future”
The Museum’s extensive collection illustrates how the San Lorenzo Valley has evolved over time through documents, photographs, and artifacts. Specifically, it includes items like the 1877 bylaws and charter of the local Washingtonian Society, photographs such as those from the Boulder Days celebration—an annual three-day event held between 1941 and 1962 that honors the area’s history—and artifacts like the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) banner. A WCTU chapter was established here in 1892 to offer an alternative to the many saloons, providing a free library for young and impressionable loggers. “Here a village surrounded by extensive lumber interests, a railroad terminus with scores of young men on the streets with little but evil before them; boys on the road to death.” And yes, the collection still includes copper and a condenser!
You can read more about the collection HERE.
Browse last year’s SLVM EXCEL Cataloging Fellow’s showcase site.
- Historical data entry (70%): In our PastPerfect database, accurately describe the artifact. Include tags and search terms, people’s names associated with the artifact, materials, maker’s mark, condition, measurements, and associations.
- Scanning, researching, and linking to the database entry (25%): When appropriate, scan or photograph the artifact and link that scan using its catalog number to its catalog record. If other internal or external (such as web-based) data is pertinent, such as a news article or journal paper, etc. link that record to the catalog record.
- Re-housing and storage (5%): Following our artifact handling guidelines, re-house the artifacts in appropriate archival containers, shelve them, and detail the location in the catalog record.
- Humanities EXCEL Programming: Attend two cohort meetings each quarter when possible and participate in asynchronous Canvas experiential learning reflection.
Eligibility & Qualifications
- You must be a declared or proposed major or minor in a Humanities Division department and have good academic standing. If proposed, declare by June.
- Eligible majors: Applied Linguistics and Multilingualism, Classical Studies, Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, Feminist Studies, History, Jewish Studies, Language Studies, Linguistics, Literature, Philosophy, Spanish Studies
- Eligible minors: Black Studies, Classical Studies, East Asian Studies, History of Consciousness, History, Italian Studies, Jewish Studies, Language Studies, Linguistics, Literature, Middle Eastern and North African Studies, Philosophy, Spanish Studies
- You have work authorization (required)
- You can work independently and collaboratively (required)
- You manage your time and are punctual.
- You have strong written and oral communication skills:
- You have strong computer skills.
- You are detail-oriented and organized.
- Your Winter Quarter schedule has the availability to work in person in Boulder Creek at least two days per week. You are also willing to schedule your Spring Quarter classes to allow for at least two shifts.
How To Apply
- Updated resume
- 1-page cover letter addressed to Lisa Robinson sharing:
- Why you’re interested in this role and the San Lorenzo Valley Museum (explore their website!)
- How your background and skills apply
- What you hope to gain from the experience
Review the resume and cover letter resources to ensure you are a strong candidate! For application help, see Humanities Career Engagement.
Questions? Email Kylie Rachwalski at hum-experiential-learning@ucsc.edu.
The Mellon Foundation, The Helen and Will Webster Foundation, The Humanities Institute, the UCSC Humanities Division, and private donors generously support the Humanities EXCEL Program.
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct: