Internships

Through our internship program, the Center for Puerto Rican Studies (CENTRO) offers students valuable, real-world work experience. This unpaid internship provides participants with the opportunity to explore careers in research, media, communications, arts and culture, archiving and library science, and community outreach. Upon successful completion of the program, CENTRO will provide you with a certificate of completion and graduation cord. Explore our available internship positions below.

After submitting your application, you will be contacted to schedule an interview. Should you have any questions, please email the Outreach and Partnerships Unit at centrofl@hunter.cuny.edu.

Spring 2026 Internship Opportunities: 

The application form closes on January 9th, 2025, at 11:59 pm or when all positions have been filled.

Library Assistant Intern

The Center for Puerto Rican Studies is looking for a Library Intern for the Spring 2026 semester to join our Library and Archives Unit. The Centro Library and Archives is a treasured institution where researchers, academics, teachers, students, genealogists, filmmakers, and the broader community find primary (historical documents) and secondary sources about the history and culture of the Puerto Rican diaspora. The Digital Collections offer access to photographs, documents, artifacts, art, maps, oral histories, moving images, audio clips, and other digitized or born-digital materials related to Puerto Ricans in the United States.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Retrieve and shelve library and archival material for patrons. 
  • General upkeep of the library reading room and its collections. 
  • Supervision of researchers. 
  • Cleaning and organizing library stacks. 
  • Other tasks as requested. 

INTERN WILL LEARN/DEVELOP:

  • Learn about how libraries and archives function.
  • Library of Congress classification system. 
  • Learn how to navigate CUNY databases and resources. 
  • Learn about the history of Puerto Rican communities in the United States. 
  • General organizational and research skills.

PREFERRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Interest in Puerto Rican and Latino/Latin American History.
  • Knowledge of computer software (Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe, Google services)
  • Strong organization and time-management skills; attention to accuracy and detail is essential.
  • Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, make constructive recommendations, interpret and apply policies and procedures, and perform work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved.
  • Spanish language knowledge.
CENTRO Archives Intern

The Center for Puerto Rican Studies is looking for an Archive Intern for the Spring 2026 semester to join our Library and Archives Unit. The Centro Library and Archives is a treasured institution where researchers, academics, teachers, students, genealogists, filmmakers, and the broader community find primary (historical documents) and secondary sources about the history and culture of the Puerto Rican diaspora. The Digital Collections offer access to photographs, documents, artifacts, art, maps, oral histories, moving images, audio clips, and other digitized or born-digital materials related to Puerto Ricans in the United States.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Inventory of audiovisual and digital materials. 
  • Assess the condition of AV materials. 
  • Quarantine endangered materials. 
  • Help develop reformatting workflows.
  • Other tasks as requested. 

INTERN WILL LEARN/DEVELOP:

  • Learn about how a very active archive functions
  • Implement archival standards in accordance with the Library of Congress’s classification system. 
  • Learn how to navigate CUNY databases and resources. 
  • Learn about the history of Puerto Rican communities in the United States. 
  • General organizational and research skills.

PREFERRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Interest in Puerto Rican and Latino/Latin American History.
  • Familiarity with metadata and archival standards such as DublinCore, DACs, and OASIS
  • Knowledge of computer software (Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe, Google services)
  • Strong organization and time-management skills; attention to accuracy and detail is essential.
  • Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, make constructive recommendations, interpret and apply policies and procedures, and perform work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved.
  • Spanish language knowledge.
  • Some computer programming experience is desirable.
Diasporican Art in Motion (DAM) Research Intern

The Center for Puerto Rican Studies is seeking a Diasporican Art in Motion (DAM) Research Intern for Spring 2026. CENTRO’s Arts & Culture Hub supports both the research process of artistic creators and the production of scholarly research focused on Puerto Rican artistic expression. 

The goal of this internship is to help participants develop skills in a work environment and gain a deeper understanding of the Arts & Culture field. The intern will be working closely with the Arts & Culture team on projects related to artistic residencies, exhibitions, partnerships with other cultural institutions, free public programming, and artist talks.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Gather artist bios for DAM database
  • Assist in data entry
  • Research and create bibliographies
  • Assist in digitizing catalogs and other materials as needed
  • Assist in website updating and artist profile uploading
  • Organization of artist materials and file management

INTERN WILL LEARN/DEVELOP:

  • Artist engagement
  • Project research
  • Data analysis and management
  • Digitizing and the use of digitizing equipment
  • Website building
  • Experience with Gsuite, Microsoft Office, and task management software
  • Insight into the Arts & Culture sector
  • Research techniques
  • Organization skills 
  • Written communication

PREFERRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Detail-oriented and good organizational skills
  • Good oral and written communication skills
  • Positive attitude and the ability to work independently as well as in a team environment
  • Strong interest in Puerto Rican Studies
  • Strong interest in Contemporary Art
  • Fluency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite 
  • Fluency in Spanish and English is helpful
  • Students can come from the following disciplines: Fine Art, Art History, Communications, Media, Cinema, or Cultural Studies; Latinx, Latin American, or Caribbean Studies; Spanish; Linguistics; or Literature.

Translation Intern (HUNTER COLLEGE STUDENTS ONLY)

The Center for Puerto Rican Studies Education Unit is seeking a Translation Intern from Hunter College’s Spanish Translation and Interpretation Department for the Fall 2025 semester. Our Translation Internship supports CENTRO’s mission by ensuring accessibility to our research, educational, and archival materials, as well as public-facing content, in both Spanish and English. The goal of this internship is to help students develop professional translation skills in a real-world setting while gaining valuable experience in the field of language accessibility and cultural preservation. The intern will work closely with CENTRO’s Education Unit on projects involving the translation of lesson guides, educational activities, archival documents, outreach materials, and digital content. Interns will also assist in language accessibility efforts for public programming and bilingual communication.  

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:  

  • Translate a variety of materials, including lesson guides, archival documents, and outreach materials, from English to Spanish and vice versa. 
  • Proofread and edit translated content to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency. 
  • Collaborate with CENTRO staff and other interns to align translations with the organization’s goals and tone. 
  • Assist in the creation of bilingual content for social media and other outreach platforms. 
  • Support language accessibility efforts for CENTRO’s digital and archival collections. 
  • Participate in workshops and events focused on translation and Puerto Rican studies. 

INTERN WILL LEARN/DEVELOP:  

  • Advanced translation and interpretation skills, including the ability to handle specialized terminology. 
  • Editing and proofreading techniques specific to translation work. 
  • Research skills to ensure accurate context and meaning in translations. 
  • Knowledge of Puerto Rican history, culture, and the diaspora experience. 
  • Experience working with archival documents and historical texts. 
  • Time management and organizational skills to meet deadlines and balance multiple projects. 
  • Professional communication and collaboration in a hybrid work environment. 

PREFERRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Enrollment in the Spanish major with a concentration in Translation and Interpretation, preferably in their final year of studies. 
  • Strong proficiency in both Spanish and English (spoken and written). 
  • Attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work.

Partnerships & Outreach Intern

The Center for Puerto Rican Studies is seeking a Partnerships and Outreach Intern for the Spring 2026 semester to join our Partnerships and Outreach Unit. Our Partnerships and Outreach team collaborates with community organizations and leaders to create meaningful projects and programs that enhance cultural awareness and address social issues. This entry-level position offers participants a professional learning experience and provides them with knowledge about the field of Puerto Rican Studies. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Assist in expanding CENTRO’s presence and engagement within the community.
  • Research and identify potential community partnerships and educational opportunities with local, national, and international organizations.
  • Support the planning, organization, and execution of community events and initiatives.
  • Participate in meetings and discussions with prospective partners.
  • Engage with community members and organizations to foster relationships that align with CENTRO’s mission and values.

INTERN WILL LEARN/DEVELOP:

  • Intern will learn how to:
    • Engage with community organizations and leaders
    • Identify and cultivate relationships with organizations that align with CENTRO’s mission and objectives.
    • Plan, organize, and execute community events.
    • Write professional emails, reports, and proposals, and learn how to speak confidently in meetings and discussions with potential partners.
    • Research potential partnership opportunities and analyze how they align with CENTRO’s goals, programs, and mission.
    • Managing multiple tasks, keeping projects organized, and working with deadlines
    • Understand the cultural identity of the Puerto Rican diaspora and its related social and political issues.
    • Be able to work collaboratively with a team, as well as independently.

PREFERRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Strong passion for Puerto Rican Studies and a demonstrated interest in CENTRO’s mission.
  • Excellent organizational skills with a keen eye for detail.
  • Good oral and written communication skills to effectively engage with community members and partners.
  • A positive, proactive attitude and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Experience or interest in community outreach, event coordination, or partnership development is a plus.
Website Content Management + Preservation Intern

The Center for Puerto Rican Studies is seeking an intern to conduct an audit of CENTRO’s archived website, creating a complete inventory of all pages and entries to be uploaded to our digital archives. Generate PDF backups of each unique web page, ensuring proper formatting and layout are captured. Download and save the corresponding source HTML file for each web page. Create and maintain a detailed master spreadsheet to track every captured entry and its metadata. Organize all digital assets (PDFs, HTML files) into a clear and consistent folder structure on a designated drive.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Assist in expanding CENTRO’s presence and engagement within the community.
  • Research and identify potential community partnerships and educational opportunities with local, national, and international organizations.
  • Support the planning, organization, and execution of community events and initiatives.
  • Participate in meetings and discussions with prospective partners.
  • Engage with community members and organizations to foster relationships that align with CENTRO’s mission and values.

INTERN WILL LEARN/DEVELOP:

  • Intern will learn how to:
    • Web Preservation Techniques
    • Data Integrity and Validation
    • Structured Data Logging
    • Technical Documentation for Archival Purposes
    • Project Management
    • Managing multiple tasks, keeping projects organized, and working with deadlines
    • Be able to work collaboratively with a team, as well as independently.

PREFERRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Strong passion for Puerto Rican Studies and a demonstrated interest in CENTRO’s mission.
  • Excellent organizational skills with a keen eye for detail.
  • Junior/Senior in Computer Science, Library Science, Metadata Management, or a similar major 
  • Interest in archives/archiving
  • A positive, proactive attitude and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Familiarity with the backend of websites such as WordPress
  • Comfort level and proficiency with Google Spreadsheets and logging information in it

Apply Here