Join us as we continue to hear from our students who were interning this past spring! Both graduate and undergraduate student worked in the field of historical spaces in a variety of capacities. This blog post is authored by History MA and BA student, Alex Eckhart, as she reflects upon her experience interning at Wood County Museum, where she helped build the America 250 programming and exhibit. You can learn more about this specific exhibit and other wonderful historical programming at https://woodcountyhistory.org/visit/

Going into this internship, I had a fairly clear idea of what I wanted to accomplish. I wanted hands-on experience in public history, a deeper understanding of how exhibits are created, and the chance to contribute something tangible to a museum space. Looking back, I can say that I mostly met those goals, but the reality of the process was far more complicated (and ultimately more valuable) than I expected. There were definitely moments where I felt like I was falling behind. With only eight hours a week to dedicate to the internship, time always felt compressed. Just as I would get into a rhythm with a project, the day would end, and I’d have to pick it back up days later. That stop-and-start structure made it harder to maintain momentum, and at times I had to work extra hard just to catch up to where I felt I should be.

Similarly, the exhibit flip books are not being finalized until after the exhibit’s opening, meaning I won’t get to see those fully realized either. These moments were frustrating, but they also felt like an honest reflection of how museum work actually functions: projects don’t always align neatly with your timeline.

Despite these challenges, there were many aspects of the internship that I genuinely loved. One of the most rewarding parts was being involved in both the planning and execution of exhibit elements. There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing an idea move from concept to physical reality. Even when things didn’t go perfectly, being part of that process made the work feel meaningful. What made it even more impactful was the fact that my contributions became part of the exhibit itself. Unlike academic work that often lives on paper or a screen, this was something I could physically point to and say, “I helped create that.” Being able to bring friends or family into the space and show them my work gave it a level of tangibility that I hadn’t experienced before. It made the internship feel real in a way that research alone never quite does.

If there was one consistent downside, it was the feeling of never having enough time. This isn’t unique to my experience, but it was still a significant factor. The limited hours made it difficult to feel as productive as I wanted to be, and it often felt like there was always more I could have done if I’d just had more time. That said, learning to work within those constraints is, in itself, an important skill. In terms of contributions, I found myself heavily involved in the physical side of exhibit creation. I assisted curator Holly (Hartlerode) Kirkendall with tasks like painting, spackling, and cleaning artifacts, which is not-so-glamorous work that is essential to bringing an exhibit together. By taking on these responsibilities, I was able to free up more of her time to focus on research and design. This division of labor gave me a better understanding of how collaborative museum work really is; every role, no matter how small it might seem, plays a part in the final product.

Beyond the tasks themselves, the internship taught me a great deal about working with others. One of the biggest lessons I learned was how to navigate differing ideas. In a collaborative environment, not every suggestion you make is going to be used, and learning how to step back and accept that is crucial. It doesn’t mean your ideas aren’t valuable, it just means they’re part of a larger conversation. Developing that perspective helped me become more adaptable and more open to feedback. I also gained insight into how a small museum operates, and I found that I really appreciate the atmosphere. Compared to larger institutions, the environment felt more relaxed and personal, which made it easier to engage with the work and the people around me. At the same time, I was exposed to the logistical side of things, such as attending a Commissioners’ meeting. Watching our director Annette Wells and curator Holly (Hartlerode) Kirkendall present the museum’s work—and even contributing to that presentation myself—gave me a new appreciation for the behind-the-scenes efforts that keep a museum running. It’s not just about exhibits; it’s about communication, funding, and community engagement.

In terms of personal growth, time management stands out as an area where I both improved and recognized the need for further development. Balancing multiple projects, each with its own timeline, is challenging, especially when your working hours are limited. This experience pushed me to be more intentional with how I used my time, but it also showed me that there’s still room to grow. Alongside that, I learned the importance of flexibility. There were days when I came in with a clear plan, only to be redirected to something completely different like helping serve tea at an event. Initially, those shifts were frustrating, but over time I began to understand that adaptability is essential in this kind of work.

It’s not just about exhibits; it’s about communication, funding and community engagement.

– Alex Eckhart, History BA, ’24; History MA, 26

One of the most impactful aspects of the internship, though, was observing leadership in action. Annette in particular set a strong example of what it means to be a good boss. She consistently made time to check in, offer feedback, and talk through projects, which made a huge difference in how supported I felt. Even when I encountered setbacks, she made it clear that my work was valued. That sense of encouragement made me more confident and more willing to take initiative. What stood out most was her willingness to be involved in every level of the work. Whether it was administrative tasks or physically demanding ones like mowing or spray painting, she didn’t shy away from getting her hands dirty. That kind of leadership—being both supportive and actively engaged—left a strong impression on me. It showed me that respect isn’t just earned through authority, but through action and consistency.

Overall, this internship was an experience in learning through doing, and sometimes learning through things not going exactly as planned. While I didn’t achieve every goal in the way I initially imagined, I gained something arguably more important: a realistic understanding of museum work, a set of practical skills, and a clearer sense of the kind of environment I want to work in. If nothing else, this experience reinforced that public history is where I want to be. It’s messy, collaborative, occasionally unpredictable, but it’s also deeply rewarding. Now, when I walk through the exhibit, I don’t just see the finished product, I see the process, the effort, and the small pieces of myself that went into it.