Internships, Field Studies and Volunteer Opportunities

Gain professional experience. Make an impact. Learn from experts.

The National Agricultural Library is always looking for bright, talented people to help us develop innovative services, programs, and exhibits.

Positions

Internships and volunteer opportunities are available across the library.

You can step into projects or opportunities NAL is looking to fill, or customize an internship or volunteer position to fit your special interest or career goal (upon request and subject to staff availability).

Internships and volunteer positions can be found in the following areas:

  • Acquisitions
  • Cataloging/Metadata Creation
  • Electronic Resource Licensing
  • Indexing
  • Thesaurus Development


  • Collection Development
  • Collection Management
  • Digitization
  • Special Collections / Archives
  • Database Development
  • Information Technology
  • User Interface Design
  • Web Content Strategy
  • Web Content Development


  • Product Development
  • Publicity and Outreach
  • Reference / Customer Services
  • User Education

You may also discover internships and volunteer positions that tie into specific subjects related to agriculture, including:

  • Alternative Farming Systems
  • Animal Welfare
  • Food and Nutrition
  • Food Safety
  • Invasive Species
  • Rural Community Development
  • Water Quality
Eligibility

Internships are open to:

  • graduate students
  • undergraduate students
  • high school students

All interns and volunteers must be at least 16 years old.

Citizenship

U.S. citizenship is not required.

Stipend

Internships are unpaid. Credit hours may be earned by arrangement with your academic institution.

Length

Varies. One academic term or semester is typical.

To Apply

Submit a cover letter, resume and transcript(s) to:

Jenny Allen
Program Manager
Agricultural Research Service
jenny.allen@ars.usda.gov

Your cover letter should address:

  • your area of interest;
  • your skills and experience, including how you would benefit the area(s) of specific interest; and
  • your level of availability, including expected hours per week and length of commitment.

Applications are accepted year round.

Note:

All interns and volunteers must be fingerprinted on their first day as part of the required Federal Bureau of Investigation National Criminal History Check.

For appointments longer than 90 days, all applicants must also pass a National Agency Check with Inquiry Background Investigation.

Questions?

Contact Jenny Allen at jenny.allen@ars.usda.gov or 301-504-6507.

More Information

For additional information regarding opportunities for students and recent graduates, see the U.S. Government’s Pathways Programs.