Call for Applications: Internship with The Sikh Foundation, Spring 2024

The Humanities Division is excited to announce an experiential learning opportunity for Humanities undergraduates at UC Santa Cruz to work with The Sikh Foundation. Internships connect students in the Humanities to projects in the community, with the aim of mutually benefiting students and community organizations. Students gain first-hand experience learning about positions outside of the university that build on their studies in the Humanities and give them professional training, while, at the same time, organizations benefit from students’ assistance and academic background. Internships foster positive collaborations between the campus and community, demonstrating the value of a Humanities degree for a range of careers.

Internship Term: May 1–June 30, 2024

Application Deadline: April 18, 2024

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.

Job Overview :   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. 

Job Duties

• 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 an enrolled undergraduate student at UC Santa Cruz in good academic standing. 
• 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.

Duration & Compensation 

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

How To Apply:  

Apply by submitting your resume and a short cover letter (no more than one page) answering these questions: Why this job? Why you? Why now?

• TIP: think about how this position will further your undergraduate studies as well as your professional goals once you have completed your education.
• NOTE: If you are a PROPOSED major in the Humanities Division, or in the PROCESS of declaring a major or minor, please explain that in your cover letter. 
• Review these resume and cover letter resources to ensure that you are a strong candidate. 
• Please address your cover letter to the Humanities Student Success Team. 

TIMELINE : Once applications close, top candidates will be selected for virtual interview with the Sikh Foundation team and UCSC Humanities staff starting the week of April 22, 2024. 

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.