History Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You Be Bold Choose Duke.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Movement History Initiative Content Creator Intern, you'll be a vital part of a collaborative team within the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, supporting the John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History & Culture.

In this role, your creativity, cultural awareness, and storytelling skills will help amplify the history of social movements and deepen public engagement with archival and historical collections. You'll work in an academic library environment that values curiosity, care, and inclusive storytelling-and where your voice and ideas matter.

Interested in learning more before you apply? Candidates are encouraged to attend an upcoming Duke University Libraries Internship Information Session to hear directly from hiring managers, learn about internship opportunities, and ask questions about the application process.

Be Bold.

Duke encourages bold thinking and meaningful impact. This internship plays a key role in strengthening the Movement History Initiative's digital presence by creating compelling visual and multimedia content that connects historical collections to contemporary audiences.

You'll be trusted to work independently on short- and long-term projects, respond to emerging moments, and help shape outreach strategies that promote events, collections, and conversations across multiple digital platforms.

Content Creation (95%)

Design and develop branded content templates for ongoing use across digital platforms (Instagram, X/Twitter, Facebook, and others)

Edit and repurpose existing video and audio materials into engaging long-form and short-form content

Respond to breaking news or emergent moments with timely, relevant, and thoughtful content

Ensure visual consistency and brand alignment across all digital materials

Create original promotional graphics and multimedia content for key events and campaigns

Collaborate closely with the Movement History Initiative Coordinator to:

Source archival and contemporary materials (photos, quotes, recordings)

Review, draft, and refine captions

Coordinate content scheduling and distribution

Monitor engagement metrics and platform performance to inform content strategy and outreach decisions

Experiential Learning (5%)

Participate in a cohort of graduate student interns

Engage in professional development opportunities within an academic library setting

Additional Duties

Work in environments where exposure to dust and mold is possible

Regularly reach high and low shelving

Occasionally lift or move boxes weighing up to 30 pounds

Perform other duties as assigned

We recognize that excellence comes in many forms. If your experience looks a little different than what's listed below, we still encourage you to apply.

Education

Completion of a bachelor's degree required

Current enrollment in, or recent graduation (within the last two years) from an accredited advanced degree program

Experience & Skills

1-2 years of experience managing or producing content for social media platforms (Instagram, X/Twitter, TikTok, etc.)

Demonstrated ability to create compelling digital content related to social justice, activism, or movement-building work

Familiarity with design and editing tools such as Canva Pro and video editing platforms

Experience with social media scheduling tools (Buffer preferred)

Strong written communication and collaboration skills

Deep understanding of online trends, cultural moments, and digital storytelling

Experience working with archival or historical materials and translating them into engaging public-facing content

Duke University is one of the nation's leading research institutions, grounded in a commitment to discovery, equity, and public service. At Duke University Libraries, you'll join a mission-driven community dedicated to preserving history, expanding access to knowledge, and fostering inclusive scholarship.

Anticipated Pay Rate: $18/hour

This internship is onsite and part-time (16 hours/week) from August 2026 through May 2027.

Duke is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a community rooted in collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging.

Apply through Duke Jobs to be considered for this internship with Duke University Libraries.

As part of your application, please submit:

A current resume

A cover letter describing your interest in the Movement History Initiative and your relevant experience

Three professional references (name, title, organization, and contact information)

Learn more before you apply:

Join the hiring managers of each internship to learn more about the positions, on Wednesday, March 18th at 2:00pm-3:00pm ET 

https://duke.zoom.us/j/93327587232?pwd=bXAEPXe4lpygJzirthUqJdNjlAbycZ.1&jst=1

Meeting ID: 933 2758 7232      Passcode: 128838

This session will provide an overview of available internships, expectations, and an opportunity to ask questions about the application process.

Apply now and help us build a stronger, smarter, and more connected future at Duke.