APEX fellowship gives anthropology and art history major hands-on museum experience

Ava Caizzo ’26, an anthropology and art history major and music minor completing the museum and archival studies pathway, wanted to get real-world experience in the museum field through an APEX Fellowship. When she reached out to the Firelands Historical Museum in her hometown of Norwalk, Ohio, the museum created a position for her, where she aided the museum in logging artifacts and adjusting the cataloging system to a more modern and efficient process. Her internship at the museum helped Caizzo confirm that she wishes to pursue a career in museums while learning more about the history of her hometown. 

“My internship provided me with reassurance that this is the industry I wish to find a career in. I am extremely thankful for having been given the opportunity to work alongside museum professionals and working hands-on to help share history.”

—Ava Caizzo ’26

Q: How did you learn about the internship opportunity for your Micro Fellowship? 

Caizzo: I knew about the museum because it is in my hometown. I reached out to them early in the spring asking if they had a position for me, and they created one. It was a manageable distance as well as the perfect foot-in-the-door to familiarize myself with the museum industry. 

Q: What interests you most about the work you did? 

Caizzo: I was fascinated by being able to learn more about the origins of my area every day. I was involved in familiarizing myself with their artifact cataloging software, and I aided in revamping their old cataloging numbering system into a newer, more efficient system. 

Q: What are some skills you’ve learned that you see yourself carrying forward in your career? 

Caizzo: I was able to improve upon my technology skills. I spent time learning how to use their artifact cataloging software, PastPerfect. It took some practice before I was able to independently log artifacts into the computer, keeping a digital record of every artifact the museum possesses. 

Q: How has the internship helped you to see what’s next for you? 

Caizzo: My internship provided me with reassurance that this is the industry I wish to find a career in. I am extremely thankful for having been given the opportunity to work alongside museum professionals and working hands-on to help share history. 

Posted in Experiential Learning on August 10, 2024.