VISITOR STUDIES INTERNSHIP

       ST. LOUIS  SCIENCE CENTER

 

 

DESCRIPTION:      The Visitor Studies Internship is UNPAID and part-time, requiring approximately 15-20 hours per week.  Some of the hours can be scheduled during some portion of weekdays; some of the hours must be scheduled on some portions of the weekend.  INTERNS ARE DESIRED FOR FALL SEMESTER 2003, SPRING SEMESTER 2004, AND FOR SUMMER 2004. 

 

 INTERN MUST BE ABLE TO AGREE TO PARTICIPATE FOR AT LEAST ONE ENTIRE SEMESTER (APPROXIMATELY 14 WEEKS).  ALSO,  ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN INTERNS WHO ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE   ON A TWO SEMESTER SEQUENTIAL BASIS.

á       FOR FALL 2003, BEGINNING PREFERABLY IN LATE AUGUST 2003 THROUGH EARLY DECEMBER 2003.

á       FOR SPRING 2004, BEGINNING PREFERABLY IN EARLY JANUARY 2004 THROUGH EARLY MAY 2004

á       FOR SUMMER 2004, BEGINNING PREFERABLY LATE MAY OR EARLY JUNE 2004 THROUGH MID AUGUST 2004

 

SUMMARY:  The Visitor Studies Internship is supervised by the Research and Evaluation Coordinator from the Department of Research and Evaluation (R&E). The intern will conduct data collection through interviews and observations according to designated protocols for Science Center program and exhibit evaluations, for market research, and for educational research projects.  This intern will also assist fulltime professional R&E departmental staff in project research and some support will include data entry from time to time.

 

SOME DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

á       Attend scheduled departmental meetings for training on data collection protocols for new projects

á       May enter data in spreadsheet computer packages

á       May conduct literature searches via internet and libraries to support departmental research projects

á       Assist department staff with project administration

á       Distribute visitor satisfaction rating cards according to a specified protocol

á       Retrieve blank interview/observation forms as well as completed returns

á       Conduct interviews/observations in assigned locations for designated intervals according to a specified protocol

á       Make judgments about categories of responses according to protocol

á       Accurately record information in writing, on a laptop, or other computer device

á       Conduct positive interaction with visitors

á       May conduct traffic pattern  surveys or be assigned gallery observations

á       May conduct naturalistic observations and interviews and write up field notes

á       May conduct telephone interviews and record data according to standard protocols

á       May participate in meetings to coordinate data collection and analysis with other evaluation   team members

á       Attend scheduled institutional meetings

á       Other duties as assigned

 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

á       Experience interacting with the public in a pleasant, courteous, and productive manner

á       Proficiency with computers to conduct internet searches and data entry

á       Ability to conduct interviews/observations and record responses according to set protocol with a high degree of reliability and accuracy

á       Prefer intern to have had some college/university-level classes in marketing research, social science research, survey research, and/or museum studies classes.  Would be especially desirable for intern to have had some experience with data entry into spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft Excel or SPSS.

 

LANGUAGE SKILLS: 

á       Ability to speak English clearly so as to be easily understood by visitors

á       Ability to understand and follow detailed instructions given both verbally and in writing

á       Ability to accurately and legibly record visitorsÕ verbal responses to survey questions

 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:  Basic arithmetic calculations

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Ability to stand/move quickly around exhibit galleries for possibly a 4-5 hour data collection period

 

INQUIRIES: 

 

 STRONGLY ENCOURAGE ALL FALL SEMESTER 2003 INQUIRIES BEFORE 1 SEPTEMBER 2003

STRONGLY ENCOURAGE ALL SPRING SEMESTER 2004 INQUIRIES BEFORE 18 DECEMBER 2004

STRONGLY ENCOURAGE ALL SUMMER SEMESTER 2004 INQUIRIES BEFORE 30 MAY 2004

 

ALTHOUGH ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED IMMEDIATELY, THESE INTERNSHIPS COULD BE FILLED AT ANY TIME.

 

CONTACT:  PLEASE SEND RESUME AND COVER LETTER DETAILING YOUR INTEREST TO:   TPOTTER@SLSC.ORG

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                               

 

                                                                                                                                    AUGUST 03