Jobs

Summer Internship – Slavery, History, Memory, and Reconciliation (Jesuits)

Posted on: February 17, 2021 Apply Now
St. Louis, MO External Internship Expires March 9, 2021

About Us

The Slavery, History, Memory, and Reconciliation Project (SHMR) is a joint initiative of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States (JCCU) and Saint Louis University (SLU). SHMR is committed to a transformative process of truth-telling, reconciliation, and healing that, in conversation with the descendants of people held in bondage by the Jesuits, acknowledges historical harms, seeks to repair relationships, and works within our communities to address the legacies of slavery that persist in the form of racial inequities today. For more information about SHMR and its mission and goals, visit http://shmr.jesuits.org/.

Position Description

SHMR invites applications for the position of summer intern. Depending upon previous experience, skills, and interests, the intern will have the opportunity to contribute to SHMR in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to: historical research on the lived experiences of the enslaved people whom the Jesuits owned; genealogical research to identify descendants of people enslaved to the Jesuits; and social media communications. Candidates who have language skills in Latin, French, Spanish, German, and Dutch or Flemish may assist with translating foreign language documents.

Eligibility

The SHMR Project welcomes applications from current undergraduate and graduate students, as well as from individuals who have relevant experience and interests, but are not enrolled in a college or university. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in fields such as history, African American Studies, American Studies, public history, genealogy, digital humanities, and library and information science, and to those with demonstrated interest in Black history and culture, the memory of slavery, and racial justice and reconciliation.

Duties and responsibilities may include:

  • Abide by and inform a research and digitization agenda created by the Research Coordinator, which is consistent with the project’s scope   
  • Abide by and inform standards for documenting research as established by the Research Coordinator
  • Participate in Research Team meetings and clearly communicate work and findings
  • Communicate regularly with the Research Coordinator and members of the Research Team by drafting, receiving, and sending email correspondence
  • Create and maintain detailed records and files, both digital and hard copies, for the project
  • Assist with translating foreign language documents
  • Assist with social media presence for the SHMR Project
  • Other duties as assigned

Experience and SkillsRequired

  • Desire to contribute substantially to the mission of the SHMR Project
  • Experience prioritizing multiple deadlines and schedules, both autonomously and with colleagues
  • Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
  • Ability and desire to learn new technologies
  • Ability to work in a team-oriented culture
  • Ability to exercise discretion, initiative, organizational ability, and problem-solving skills
  • Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and resourceful
  • Experience with Office 365 (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word)

Preferred

  • Understand and appreciate African American history and culture
  • Understand and appreciate Jesuit history and mission
  • Familiarity with nineteenth-century American history and American Catholic history, particularly as it relates to slavery in the United States
  • Experience performing genealogical research
  • Reading knowledge of and/or ability to translate to English from Latin, French, Spanish, German, and Dutch or Flemish
  • Familiarity with concepts and practices related to racial justice, restorative justice, reconciliation, and dialogue processes
Apply Now