Call for Applications: Humanities EXCEL Fellowship with The Sikh Foundation, 2024-2025

We encourage work-study and non-work-study students to apply. This role requires work authorization.

Application Deadline: November 10, 2024

The Humanities Division and The Humanities Institute are excited to announce an experiential learning opportunity for undergraduates at UC Santa Cruz to work with The Sikh Foundation.

The Humanities Experiential Career Exploration and Learning (EXCEL) Program connects Humanities majors and minors to organizations in the community for paid internships. In this cohort program, EXCEL Fellows gain practical experience and professional training while learning about positions outside of the university that build on their studies in the humanities. At the same time, community partner organizations benefit from students’ assistance and academic expertise. EXCEL Fellowships carry on the success of THI’s Public Fellows program, and they foster positive collaborations between the campus and community, demonstrating the value of a Humanities degree for a range of careers.

About The Sikh Foundation

The Sikh Foundation's mission to promote the future of Sikhism by inspiring, engaging, and educating a broad audience—with a focus on youth—aligns with UC Santa Cruz’s aim to elevate the understanding and awareness of Sikh history, language, art, culture, and religion among the campus community and beyond.

UCSC student scholars shall be focused on Sikh history, art, language, and/or culture tied to furthering research on the Sikh Foundation’s Kapany Art Collection, to benefit the broader Sikh community in California. The Sikh Foundation welcomes passionate individuals who are committed to preserving and promoting Sikh heritage and culture.

Position Description:

The intern will support initiatives and programming involving research, communications, archival materials in the Kapany art collection, and educational resources. Interns play a crucial role in advancing the foundation's mission and can gain valuable experience in the process.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

• Research Assistance (10%): Conduct research on Sikh culture, history, art, and heritage to support the foundation's projects and initiatives. Assist in collecting and organizing relevant information.
• Administrative Support (10%): Aid in day-to-day administrative tasks, including data entry, document filing, and email correspondence. Assist in maintaining records and databases.
• Event Coordination (20%): Assist in the planning and execution of events, exhibitions, and programs related to Sikh culture. This may involve logistics, promotion, and on-site assistance.
• Content Creation (20%): Help create content for the foundation's website, social media platforms, and newsletters. This includes writing articles, blog posts, and generating multimedia content.
• Outreach and Engagement (15%): Assist in building and maintaining relationships with the Sikh community, scholars, artists, and potential collaborators. Support the foundation's efforts in outreach and engagement.
• Archival Work (15%): Contribute to the preservation of Sikh heritage by organizing and digitizing historical materials, artifacts, and documents.
• Education Initiatives (10%): Assist in developing educational materials and resources to promote understanding and awareness of Sikh culture in schools and universities.

Qualifications – You’re an ideal candidate if you:

• You are a declared major or minor in a department in the Humanities Division and are in good academic standing. If you are currently proposed, you can declare by the end of the academic year in June. [strict eligibility requirement]
• You have work authorization. (required)
• Have a genuine interest in Sikh culture, history, and heritage. (required)
• Have strong research, writing, and communication skills (required)
• Are proficient in digital applications, including Microsoft Office, Canva, and Google research tools. (required)
• You are a proactive and responsive communicator. You have a consistent habit of checking email and responding promptly and professionally. (required)
• You have demonstrated sharp attention to detail and organizational abilities.
• Are adaptable and have a willingness to learn.
• Are interested in history, cultural studies, the arts, or nonprofit management.

In this role, you will gain…

• Insight into non-profit management and mission-driven work in the public humanities.
• Possible opportunities for professional development and networking within the Sikh cultural and heritage community.
• Time management and project management skills in a mostly remote, flexible work environment.
• Transferable skills and relevant experience in a wide range of professional roles in many career fields and industries.

Internship Term: November 2024-June 2025

Hours: Flexible work hours to fit your schedule; approximately 10-20 hours/week.

• Expect to be in touch with your supervisor (including phone, Zoom, email) 2-3x/week to review task assignments, check-in, and share status updates and progress.

Compensation: $20/hour

Location: This internship is mostly remote, with travel to Palo Alto once a week. Day and time can be flexible.

• A Zipcar account is funded by the Humanities Division and can be booked for transportation as needed.

Reports to: Sikh Foundation Program Director

Apply By Submitting

1. Your updated resume
2. A short cover letter (no more than one page) answering these questions: Why are you interested in this position? How does your academic expertise and skillset prepare you for this role? What are you hoping to gain from this opportunity?

REVIEW these resume and cover letter resources to ensure you are a strong candidate!

• Address your cover letter to The Sikh Foundation team

Once the application window closes, there will be an interview process with top candidates. This job is expected to start by early November.

Please contact Experiential Learning Coordinator Kylie Rachwalski at hum-experiential-learning@ucsc.edu with any questions.

This undergraduate internship is generously supported by The Sikh Foundation.