The Oral History Intern for Community Engagement

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.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and value diverse perspectives. The Oral History Intern for Community Engagement and DCL at Duke plays a vital role in helping document, preserve, and share the stories of Durham's communities. This work contributes to a more inclusive and representative historical record, with a focus on African American history and cultural heritage.

Be Bold.

As part of the Rubenstein Library's Community Engagement program and in collaboration with DCL at Duke, you'll engage in community-centered archival work that connects oral history, public history, and preservation. You'll help ensure that community voices are not only collected, but thoughtfully processed and made accessible for future generations.

What You'll Do

- Report to and assist the Community Engagement Coordinator with multi-institutional collaborative oral history projects.

- Support oral history and community-based archival projects in collaboration with campus and external partner organizations.

- Review and edit oral history transcripts for accuracy, clarity, and consistency.

- Assist in creating and refining descriptive metadata to support discovery and long-term access.

- Help organize and manage digital files and project documentation using shared tools (e.g., spreadsheets, databases).

- Enhance public access and discoverability of oral history projects by contributing to digital storytelling efforts-such as project webpages, blog posts, and other creative initiatives-to promote and activate community stories.

- Regularly work in the Rubenstein Reading Room on the circulation desk.

- May work occasional evenings.

- Routinely move library materials weighing up to 40 pounds.

- Must be able to work in an environment in which exposure to materials containing dust and mold is possible.

- Perform other duties as assigned in support of community-engaged archival work.

What You'll Bring

- Current enrollment or recent graduation from a master's program in archival studies, public history, library/information science, or a related field.

- Interest in oral history, Black history, cultural heritage preservation, and community archives.

- Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

- Advanced organizational, project and time-management skills.

- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

- Strong written and verbal communication skills.

- Commitment to inclusive practices and respectful representation of community voices.

- Preferred: Experience with transcription, metadata, or digital tools, or coursework in archival description or oral history methods.

Choose Duke

Duke is built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. This role offers hands-on experience in oral history, archival processing, and community-engaged work. You'll gain practical skills in working with primary sources, managing digital collections, and contributing to projects that preserve and share Black history and community memory.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Applications are accepted at https://careers.duke.edu/ - search for Requisition ID

This internship is onsite and part-time (up to 19 hours a week) from August 2026-May 2027 at a hiring rate of $18/hour.