The Smithsonian Libraries is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2015 Professional Development Internship program. These paid summer internships are six week-long opportunities for students in MLS or related graduate programs to gain valuable knowledge while working in the worlds’ largest museum library system! This year, applicants may select from two projects, detailed below.
Welcome to “Mentorship Monday”, where we will be featuring blog posts from our staff about their experiences with the Smithsonian Institution Mentorship program.This “Mentorship Monday” post was written by Bonnie Campbell Lilienfeld, Curator and Deputy Chair, Division of Home Life, National Museum of American History. Bonnie mentored Smithsonian Libraries’ technician, Rita O’Hara, who sadly passed away in December of 2013. The Smithsonian Institution Mentorship Program is an annual 9-month program dedicated to “developing leaders throughout the Institution” through professional development in the areas of networking, interpersonal skills, coaching, and institutional engagement.
I had the privilege of getting to know Rita O’Hara through the Smithsonian’s 2013 Mentoring Program. She was the first potential mentee I talked to, and we instantly hit it off. As part of the program, Rita and I met at least every couple of weeks, usually for lunch, to go over her goals for the program, and talk about work and life. I always looked forward to seeing her. She was one of the gentlest and most optimistic people I’ve ever met, and passionate about so many things.
Welcome to “Mentorship Monday,” where we will be featuring blog posts from our staff about their experiences with the Smithsonian Institution Mentorship program. This “Mentorship Monday” post was written by Dave Opkins, Administrative Project Specialist, Smithsonian Libraries Administration Services. The Smithsonian Institution Mentorship Program is an annual 9-month program dedicated to “developing leaders throughout the Institution” through professional development in the areas of networking, interpersonal skills, coaching, and institutional engagement.
The Smithsonian Libraries will offer new, paid internships for the Professional Development Program in the summer of 2014. These internships are open to graduate students interested in working in research and museum libraries. The Libraries will award up to three paid summer internships this academic year.
The Smithsonian Institution Mentorship Program is an annual 9-month program dedicated to “developing leaders throughout the Institution” through professional development in the areas of networking, interpersonal skills, coaching, and institutional engagement. This past year, 60 participants, consisting of 30 mentors and 30 “mentees,” were selected as a result of a competitive application process. In addition to a curriculum of monthly training courses, the program provided rare opportunities for behind-the-scenes tours and meetings with notable leaders across the Institution including Secretary Clough. Mentees worked with their mentors to achieve a set of personal goals through a variety of learning opportunities, thus each experience of the program was unique. Smithsonian Libraries was proud to have 2 mentees in the 2012 Mentorship program, Bianca Crowley and Dave Opkins. Below, each will describe their experiences working with their mentors and their key takeaways.