Unleashing Potential through Experiential Learning: Internships through the Honors College
We believe that opportunities for productive learning while in college extend well beyond the traditional classroom. Worthwhile internship opportunities offer a blend of rigor and real-world experience, aligning seamlessly with our commitment to nurturing socially conscious, responsible leaders.
At the Honors College, we believe that the most powerful learning happens when students connect their studies to the world beyond the classroom. Our internship program provides two pathways for earning academic and honors credit through HON 489 or approved departmental internship courses. Both offer rigor, reflection, and real-world experience, but each operates a little differently.
1. Student-Initiated Honors Internships
Sometimes, Honors students identify meaningful internship opportunities on their own—with businesses, nonprofits, or community organizations that aren’t yet formal Honors College partners. These student-initiated internships are possible for credit when the experience meets our standards for academic and professional quality.
How it works
- Students propose the internship using the Honors Internship Contract Application.
- The student, supervisor, and Honors College review and approve the plan before the internship begins.
- The supervisor completes an end-of-semester evaluation, and the student submits required reflections and documentation.
- This pathway ensures flexibility and access to a wide range of professional experiences while maintaining academic rigor.
2. Honors Internship Partners: Established Opportunities with Trusted Collaborators
The Honors College also maintains relationships with organizations that have demonstrated a consistent ability to provide high-quality, educationally meaningful experiences. These Internship Partners have been vetted by the College and share our mission of integrative, ethical, and community-engaged learning.
What this means for students
- Partner internships are pre-approved for honors credit. Students must arrange HON 489 through the college.
- The process for earning credit is streamlined through our online system.
- Students can explore available opportunities below.
What this means for partners
- Access to a High-Quality Talent Pipeline: Our students bring strong research, communication, and critical thinking skills to your organization.
- Support from the Honors College: We assist with onboarding, provide faculty mentorship, and maintain open communication throughout the internship period.
- Streamlined Process: As an established partner, you’ll experience a simplified onboarding process for each new intern, reducing the administrative burden and ensuring smooth coordination.
- Mission Alignment: Honors internships are designed to meet both student learning goals and your organizational needs, creating shared value and sustainable relationships.
- Lasting Impact: By mentoring future professionals, your organization plays an essential role in preparing students for meaningful careers and lives of purpose.
Let’s Work Together
If you’re interested in becoming an Internship Partner with the Honors College, we’d love to hear from you. Partnerships are collaborative, reciprocal relationships built on shared values of education, mentorship, and community engagement. Reach out to us at honorscollege@marshall.edu or call us at 304-696-5421 to start the conversation. See our Honors Internship Partner Guide.
Existing Honors Internship Partners
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision through advocacy, research, and partnerships. AFB is seeking an intern to support its Helen Keller Archive in Huntington, WV (remote or hybrid options may be considered).
This internship offers hands-on experience in digital archival transcription, metadata curation, and historical research. The Helen Keller Archive, stewarded by AFB and housed in partnership with the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) in Louisville, Kentucky, is the world’s most comprehensive digital collection documenting Helen Keller’s life, advocacy, and global impact. The internship may include a supervised, AFB-funded site visit to APH in Louisville to learn about the preservation and housing of the Helen Keller Archive. The successful candidate will support the Business Services Manager.
The expected end date for this internship is May 1, 2026. Compensation is a rate of $20 per hour for approximately 10-15 hours per week.
AFB is dedicated to promoting equality and inclusion for people who are blind and have low vision and targets key areas that impact both children and adults to facilitate meaningful change.
Internship Responsibilities Include
- Transcribe historical letters, essays, and documents from the Helen Keller Archive using AFB’s transcription and accessibility standards.
- Review and update metadata and item descriptions to improve clarity, consistency, and completeness.
- Identify and flag inconsistencies or missing data for review by the archivist.
- Conduct background research on individuals, organizations, and events represented in the collection, including research supporting permission requests under supervision.
- Apply accessibility best practices to ensure transcribed and described materials meet AFB’s digital inclusion standards.
- Maintain accurate logs of work and hours, complete short progress summaries or reflections, and participate in an end-of-term discussion about the experience.
Qualifications
Open to students majoring in History, Public History, Archival Studies or related fields. The student should possess strong writing and research skills, with general office proficiency including Google Suite and familiarity with digital archives or historical research tools preferred. Must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently on focused tasks. Ability to travel as necessary.
Desired Start Date
January 12, 2026
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter and resume to Careers via email at careers@afb.org.
At AFB, we do not just accept differences — we celebrate them. AFB is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact Human Resources at careers@afb.org.
The Appalachian Studies Association (ASA), celebrated for its interdisciplinary approach and dedication to diverse perspectives, routinely offers semester-long internships that may be extended. These positions are more than internships; they are gateways to broadening both your academic and professional landscape.
Why This Internship?
- Upper Division Honors Core Credits: Successfully completing this internship while enrolled in HON 489, our Honors Internship Course, grants you 3 upper-division credits in the Honors Core.
- Convenient: The ASA is based right here in Old Main at Marshall University!
- Integrative Learning: The ASA’s work intersects various domains, mirroring the diverse academic environment of our Honors College.
- Practical Experience: Engage in tasks from editorial duties to digital content curation, enriching your professional skill set.
Eligibility and Commitments:
- Skills in technology, organization, communication, and academic writing.
- Commitment of 10 hours weekly and travel to and participation in the ASA’s annual conference.
Benefits of Participation:
- Earn credits towards completing the Honors Core and your degree.
- Acquire a professional reference for your career portfolio.
- Gain experience in diverse operational aspects of a national association.
Application Process:
- Apply for the ASA internship following the guidelines here.
- Upon ASA acceptance, submit an Honors Internship Contract proposal to enroll in and earn credits through HON 489.
Further Information:
- For details on the internship, contact Ann Bryant at the ASA: 304-696-2904 or mullins88@marshall.edu.
- For guidance on HON 489, reach out to the Honors College office: 304-696-5421 or honorscollege@marshall.edu.
The Fairfield Community Development Corporation (FCDC) is a respected organization dedicated to enhancing the Fairfield neighborhood in Huntington.
Overview of FCDC: A 501(c)(3) organization, the FCDC plays a pivotal role in the Fairfield community. Their vision encompasses revitalizing the area through affordable housing, economic development, and social initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for residents and workers.
Internship Responsibilities:
- Event planning and execution.
- Managing program/event flow and creating meeting agendas.
- Engaging with sponsors, donors, and vendors.
- Marketing events via social media and other platforms.
- Administrative tasks like ordering and tracking items, monitoring budgets.
- Conducting needs assessments and compiling data reports.
- Developing a digital inventory system.
Requirements:
- Up to 15 hours per week.
- Submission of college course and any concurrent work schedules.
- Valid ID and reliable transportation.
- Access to a laptop/computer for potential remote work.
Compensation:
- Stipend from Marshall University up to $2,500 per semester, paid bi-weekly or monthly.
- Hourly pay by the FCDC.
Please note, this internship does not include health or other insurance benefits. However, all activities are covered under FCDC’s general liability insurance.
Application Process:
- Apply for the FCDC internship by contacting RaShad Sanders at fcdchuntington@gmail.com.
- For guidance on HON 489, reach out to the Honors College office: 304-696-5421 or honorscollege@marshall.edu.
Ronald McDonald House Huntington provides a welcoming “home away from home” for families with critically ill or injured children receiving medical care in the Huntington, West Virginia area. Their mission is to provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.
The 20-room House provides families with a comfortable place to stay at no cost, along with daily meals, laundry facilities, personal care items, and other resources designed to ease the financial and emotional burdens of having a hospitalized child. Beyond providing a place to sleep, the team works to create a supportive community where families can focus on what matters most—the health and well-being of their child.
Ronald McDonald House Huntington is supported by a dedicated team of staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners throughout its service area. Interns have the opportunity to experience the many areas that make a nonprofit organization successful, including fundraising and development, marketing and communications, volunteer engagement, community partnerships, events, operations, and family-centered service.
Internship Opportunity: Nonprofit Development & Community Engagement Intern
The Nonprofit Development & Community Engagement Internship at Ronald McDonald House Huntington provides students with hands-on experience in the many areas that support a successful nonprofit organization. Working alongside the Development team, interns will gain exposure to fundraising, special events, marketing and communications, donor stewardship, community partnerships, volunteer engagement, and mission-focused outreach.
The internship can be tailored to a student’s interests, skills, and academic goals while providing meaningful opportunities to contribute to real projects and initiatives that support families with critically ill or injured children. Students will gain practical nonprofit experience while learning how fundraising, storytelling, relationship-building, events, and community engagement work together to advance an organization’s mission.
Typical Internship Responsibilities
Interns may assist with a variety of Development and community engagement activities based on current organizational needs and the student’s interests. Experiences may include:
- Supporting the planning, promotion, and execution of fundraising events and campaigns.
- Assisting with donor and sponsor stewardship, including thank-you communications and recognition.
- Creating or contributing to social media, marketing, and promotional content.
- Helping develop community outreach and engagement initiatives.
- Supporting relationships with corporate and community partners, including local McDonald’s restaurants.
- Assisting with volunteer recruitment, communication, and engagement.
- Conducting research related to prospective donors, sponsors, grants, or community partnerships.
- Helping organize fundraising materials, donor information, and campaign resources.
- Participating in Development team meetings and project planning.
- Assisting with mission storytelling and impact communications.
- Completing a special project aligned with the student’s interests and organizational priorities.
Interns will have opportunities to observe and participate in the day-to-day operations of a nonprofit organization while developing skills in communication, project management, relationship-building, fundraising, and community engagement.
Internship Details
- Academic Background/Skills Sought: Any background or experience.
- Weekly Commitment: Approximately 10 hours.
- Internship Format: Varies.
- Internship Location: Varies.
- Compensation: Unpaid.
- Application or Selection Process: Varies by opportunity.
Application Process
Interested students should submit a current résumé and participate in a brief interview with a member of the Ronald McDonald House Huntington team. The conversation will provide an opportunity to learn more about the student’s interests, academic and career goals, availability, and areas in which they would like to gain experience.
Selected students will complete any required organizational onboarding prior to beginning their internship. Additional screening or documentation may be required depending on the nature of the student’s responsibilities and level of interaction with guest families.
Once a student has been accepted by Ronald McDonald House Huntington, the Honors College will coordinate the streamlined HON 489 internship approval and registration process. For guidance on HON 489, reach out to the Honors College office: 304-696-5421 or honorscollege@marshall.edu.
Additional Information for Students
At Ronald McDonald House Huntington, interns are welcomed as part of the team and given opportunities to contribute to meaningful, mission-driven work. The organization is collaborative, community-focused, and fast-paced, with no two days looking exactly the same.
Whenever possible, Ronald McDonald House Huntington works with students to tailor their experience around their interests and career goals while providing exposure to multiple areas of nonprofit work. Interns may have opportunities to attend meetings, participate in community and fundraising events, interact with community partners, contribute ideas, and take ownership of projects from planning through completion.
Students who are curious, dependable, comfortable taking initiative, and excited to learn will find plenty of opportunities to grow while making a tangible difference for children and families in our community.
Contact and Further Information
For information about internship opportunities, contact Megan Evans at megan@ronaldmcdonaldhousehuntington.org or 304-529-1122 x602.
Visit the Ronald McDonald House Huntington website.
