About the role#
This internship provides hands-on experience in archaeological laboratory operations, collections management, and artifact curation. You will work with our Cultural Resource Management team in Raleigh to process materials recovered from federal, state, and private-sector projects. The role covers the full lifecycle of collections management, from initial lab processing to final preparation for permanent curation.
What you'll do#
- Process artifacts by washing, sorting, labeling, and cataloging.
- Inventory and organize collections alongside associated records.
- Enter artifact and provenience data into digital databases.
- Prepare collections for long-term storage according to federal standards and state repository requirements.
- Organize project documentation including photographs, maps, field forms, and digital files.
- Perform basic artifact identification under the supervision of professional archaeologists.
- Support digitization and archival management efforts.
- Maintain lab organization and assist with storage management.
- Participate in special projects involving legacy collections and curation management plans.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a Bachelor's or Master's program in Archaeology, Anthropology, Museum Studies, Historic Preservation, or a related field.
- Completion of at least one year of study.
- Recent bachelor's graduates must plan to pursue an advanced degree in a similar discipline after this internship.
- Completion of archaeological field school and laboratory methods coursework.
- Previous experience in a museum, repository, or archaeological laboratory.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, specifically Excel.
- Familiarity with Southeastern U.S. archaeology and material culture.
- Understanding of federal and state historic preservation compliance processes.
- Experience with artifact databases and digital record management.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to perform repetitive tasks with consistency.
- Ability to work both independently and within a team.
- Ability to lift and move boxes up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working.
- Ability to safely handle archaeological materials and archival supplies.
Location & details#
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina.
- Term: Summer 2027.
- Modality: On-site.
- Employment: Full-time, paid.
- Note: Sponsorship for U.S. employment authorization is not available for this position.
About AECOM
AECOM is a professional services firm that provides engineering, design, and construction management. The company serves clients in sectors including water, energy, transportation, and buildings. Based in Dallas, Texas, it operates as a public company with over 60,000 employees. It reported 16.1 billion dollars in revenue for the 2024 fiscal year.
How to get in at AECOM
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