Fall Internships with the 1882 Foundation
Your interests. Your project. Your future.
The 1882 Foundation is seeking interns for its Fall 2026 cohort. We’re looking for
students who want more than a typical internship.
With 1882, you get the tools, the guidance, and the support to help you build it. This is a
personalized, hands-on experience where you’ll have the freedom to pursue your own
interests, shape a capstone project around what excites you, and build the practical
skills, real-world experience, and confidence to carry into your future.
The internship runs from September 28 through December 11, with flexible hours
including some evening and weekend work. The internship is hybrid, combining online
work with a minimum of 8 in-person hours at the 1882 Foundation offices in Sacramento
or Washington, DC.
What Makes an 1882 Internship Different
During this internship, you’ll get an inside look at how a small nonprofit runs, with hands-on experience in the day-to-day operations of the 1882 Foundation. You’ll also gain knowledge of Chinese and Asian American communities in the DMV area and Northern California, with a focus on the history of DC Chinatown and Sacramento Chinatown.
- One-on-one mentorship
- Weekly Nonprofit Skills Workshops
- Networking with our established partners, offering added perspective on working in the nation’s capital and California’s capital
- Field trips and experiential learning
- A cohort experience that builds personal and professional connections
- A capstone project shaped around your interests
Beyond day-to-day work, you’ll specialize in a capstone project shaped around your own interests and supervised by a regional office manager. Capstone tracks include Research and Public History, Literature and Arts, Communications, and Event Programming.
Internship Tracks
Research and Public History – You’ll dive into archival research, historical documentation, and interpretive projects that support 1882’s mission of preserving and sharing history with the public.
Literature and Arts – You’ll explore literary and artistic works connected to 1882’s focus, producing content such as reviews, essays, podcasts or other creative work.
Communications – You’ll build skills in public-facing messaging, including website content, newsletters, and social media storytelling that amplify 1882’s programs and community impact.
Event Programming – You’ll help plan, coordinate, and document events, workshops, and public programs, gaining hands-on experience in logistics and audience engagement.
If applying to the Communications Track, please submit a portfolio or samples of relevant work. If you have social media or graphic design experience, please include examples in your submission.
Responsibilities, Qualifications, and Application Materials
The following responsibilities, qualifications and application materials apply to all
internship tracks. Please review the Internship Tracks above for information specific to each area.
Responsibilities
-
Attend 1882 events, meetings, and workshops, representing the organization
professionally - Draft and publish event recap articles for the 1882 website
- Contribute to the Literature and Arts Corner through content pieces such as reviews and ongoing page maintenance
- Design and carry out a capstone project, scope to be determined in collaboration with the DC or Sacramento Office Manager
- Support other tasks and duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
- Currently enrolled undergraduate student or recent college graduate
- Flexible availability
- Proficient with Google Workspace, Zoom, and Canva
- Strong oral and written communication skills in English
- Organized, detail-oriented, and methodical in managing tasks
- Self-motivated with the ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment
- Able to manage multiple simultaneous deadlines
Preferred Qualifications
- Preference given to candidates studying history, communications, Asian
American studies, or related fields; all majors are welcome to apply - Experience in social media content, audio/video editing, and digital storytelling
Application Materials
1. Academic writing sample that demonstrates your research and analytical skills. Maximum five (5) pages, double-spaced, 12-point font
2. Resume
3. Cover Letter
4. Portfolio or samples of relevant work (if applicable)
Compensation: The position includes a $300 travel stipend. We encourage interns to seek funding through their university or third parties. The 1882 Foundation is also dedicated to helping interns secure course credit through their university.
Application Submission Timeline
Please submit your application via this Google Form by September 25 at 11:59 pm ET. Interviews for the Fall 2026 Intern Cohort will be held during the week of September 28, with decisions made on October 2. The program begins October 5. Please email any questions about the internship to ellen@1882foundation.org (DC) or JamesXiao@1882Foundation.org (Sacramento).