The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino is looking for dynamic young leaders to join its Young Ambassadors Program! This unique opportunity allows students to gain valuable experience working with a world-renowned museum while promoting Latino culture and history. If you are passionate about making a difference and want to learn more about our country’s rich heritage, read on!
What is the Young Ambassadors Program?
The Young Ambassadors Program is a national program for graduating high school seniors. According to the Smithsonian, “the program aims to foster the next generation of community-conscious Latino leaders in the arts, sciences, and humanities. This college preparatory and leadership program encourages participants to explore various academic and career opportunities through the lens of the Latino experience.”
This program offers young people the opportunity to engage a five-week hands-on experience with the American Latino Museum. Students are selected to travel to Washington, D.C. for a week-long seminar at the Smithsonian. The seminar, known as “Washington Week”, includes visits to the Smithsonian’s Latino collections and one-on-one interaction with renowned experts from various fields as well as museum professionals.
Following the training seminar, students participate in a four-week interdisciplinary internship in museums and other cultural institutions in 18 cities across the United States and Puerto Rico. This hands-on component allows students to gain transferable knowledge and apply the skills acquired during the training seminar to their internship assignments.
What are the benefits of being a part of the program?
The American Latino Museum Young Ambassadors Program provides an incredible opportunity to gain experience that is vital to a successful career in any discipline, as well as to build meaningful connections with mentors, professionals and other students throughout the program. As part of the American Latino Museum’s Young Ambassadors Program, students can take part in events such as grand openings, community outreach programs and museum exhibitions. They will have access to educational workshops and outdoor activities designed to help them develop skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking. Most importantly, they will be able to continue the American Latino Museum’s mission of connecting people from all over the world with American culture and history.
How to apply to be a part of the program?
Interested in applying? To be eligible for the program, you must:
- Be a high school senior graduating in 2023.
- Be a U.S. citizen of legal permanent resident of the United States with a valid Social Security Number at time of applying.
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
- Be fluent in English
- Be enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program at an accredited college or university (community college is eligible; enrollment will be verified for the fall 2023); and
- Commit to participate in the one-week training seminar at the Smithsonian Institution and complete a four-week paid summer internship.
In addition to the above eligibility requirements, you must submit the following materials:
- Three short statements (up to 350 words each)
- One short video (2 minutes or less)
- One photo for Program Participant Booklet
- Resume
- One letter of recommendation that has been completed by an instructor, mentor or advisor
When is the deadline to apply?
Although the deadline to apply for the Young Ambassadors Program is quickly approaching. It’s not too late. The application deadline is March 24, 2023.
For more information on how to apply, visit the Young Ambassadors Program web site, here. Simply gather your application materials, create an account and fill out an online application form.