Student The Rubin-Ladd Internship

Florida International University is a top public university that drives real talent and innovation in Miami and globally. Very high research (R1) activity and high social mobility come together at FIU to uplift and accelerate learner success in a global city by focusing in the areas of environment, health, innovation, and justice. Today, FIU has two campuses and multiple centers. FIU serves a diverse student body of more than 56,000 and 290,000 Panther alumni. U.S. News and World Report places dozens of FIU programs among the best in the nation, including international business at No. 2. Washington Monthly Magazine ranks FIU among the top 20 public universities contributing to the public good.

The Rubin-Ladd internship

Fall & Spring semester, August 25, 2025 thru May 30, 2026

20 hours per week

The Rubin-Ladd internship at the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum FIU is offered to two junior or senior FIU students each academic year and aims to train students to teach with objects expanding the museums audience reach. During the course of this internship, students will gain experience working in museums and develop transferable skills in critical thinking, visual analysis, public speaking, educational theory and community engagement.

After participating in a training program led by Frost Art Museum staff, Rubin-Ladd interns will conduct tours of the Frost Art Museums exhibitions for a variety of visitors. Interns will design curricula, present lessons, and develop activities for groups from partnering Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS), integrating science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) initiatives. Interns will also curate in-person and virtual tours for various audiences throughout the academic year.

Conducting Tours

For ten (10) hours each week, interns will work under Museum Educators to develop lesson plans and prepare and practice conducting tours to school groups. During this time, they will learn how to apply evidence-based teaching strategies that support learning in an informal setting, how to teach with objects, and hands on sessions to develop their visual thinking, observational and teaching skills.

Prior to conducting school tours, Rubin-Ladd Student interns will prepare and practice in collaboration with the education and curatorial teams. Interns will communicate with teachers to meet their expectations and needs and learn how to align their tours with students needs. They develop pre-visit and post-visit guides. They facilitate 30-minute virtual tours introducing MDCPS students to ideas about museums, museum education, collecting and art making leading to a desired learning objective for that tour.

Curatorial Research

Working with chief curator and education department, the interns will complete five (5) hours per week on cross departmental collaborations such as public programs, object research, or artist research. During this time, they may research the objects in the museums collection, potential public program collaborators, the history of the museum, and the role of exhibitions in creating dynamic programming.

Independent Study

Rubin-Ladd Student Docent interns spend five (5) hours weekly of self-study, curriculum projects, and writing reflections. This time is critical for independent research, planning tour outlines, responding to feedback, and developing curricula.

Please include a short essay explaining your background experience, motivations, and goals for applying for the Rubin Ladd Student docent Internship. The essay should be no more than two pages in length and include a description of your interests and experiences, as well as any other information you believe is relevant to your application.

At least 3 semesters of FIU work experience or related experience outside the University with satisfactory or higher from prior student appointment.

Requires a letter of recommendation from one prior supervisor.

Requires prior completion of FIU Service Excellence training or completion within first 30 days.

Ability to work in a team setting.

Advanced proficiency of Microsoft Office Suites.

Ability to take direction and work independently as needed.

Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with highly sensitive information.

Knowledge of PC operations and specialized software programs, such as PantherSoft and Salesforce.

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally, and in writing.

Possess a high sense of responsibility and customer service skills.

Ability to solve problems independently.

Organizational and time-management skills.

Student Assistant

• Applicants must be currently enrolled as a student at FIU with a minimum of six (6) credits as an Undergraduate student or three (3) credits as a Graduate student during the Fall and Spring semesters.
• During the Summer semesters, Students need only remain enrolled and are not required to take credit hours, but cannot have graduated.
• Upon decreasing credit hours or graduating, student employment must end.

Fall & Spring semester, August 25, 2025 thru May 30, 2026

8:30am to 5pm

May have to work nights and weekends for events.

$20.00/hour

Criminal Background Check

This student appointment may be subjected to a pre-employment background check.

Prospective Employee

If you have not created a registered account, you will be asked to create a username and password for use of the system. It is recommended that you provide an active/valid e-mail account as that will be the main source of communication regarding your status within the process. In this account, you are able to track your applicant status in "My Applications".

To be considered eligible for the position as an internal candidate, departmental staff must meet minimum requirements of the position and be in good performance standing.

Before you begin the process, we recommend that you are prepared to attach electronic copies of your resume, cover letter or any other documents within the application process. It is recommended that you combine your cover letter and resume/curriculum vitae into one attachment. Attached documents should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. All applicants are required to complete the online application including work history and educational details (if applicable), even when attaching a resume.

*This posting will close at 12:00 am of the close date.

Current Employee

As a current employee, you must log into Employee Self Service (ESS) to apply for this and any other internal career opportunity of interest. In this account, you are able to track your applicant status in "My Applications".

To be considered eligible for the position as an internal candidate, departmental staff must meet minimum requirements of the position and be in good performance standing.

Before you begin the process, we recommend that you are prepared to attach electronic copies of your resume/ curriculum vitae, cover letter or any other documents within the application process. It is recommended that you combine your cover letter and resume into one attachment. Attached documents should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

*This posting will close at 12:00 am of the close date.

Clery Notice

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the University Police department at Florida International University provides information on crimes statistics, crime prevention, law enforcement, crime reporting, and other related issues for the past three (3) calendar years. The FIU Annual Security report is available online at: https://police.fiu.edu/download/annual-security-fire-safety-report/.

To obtain a paper copy of the report, please visit the FIU Police Department located at 885 SW 109th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33199 (PG5 Market Station).

Pay Transparency

Florida International University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

FIU is a State University System of Florida member, Equal Opportunity, Equal Access, and Affirmative Action Employer for individuals with disabilities and veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination, contact FIU's Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Accessibility at 305.348.2785 or email ocrca@fiu.edu.