Student Opportunities
The Samuel Proctor Oral History Program offers UF students meaningful ways to learn, contribute, and grow through oral history. As a student-centered, community-engaged program, SPOHP provides hands-on opportunities in coursework, internships, workshops, fieldwork, and research support, helping students build skills in interviewing, archival practice, public humanities, and ethical community collaboration.
Students work with SPOHP in the classroom, in the archive, and in the field. They gain experience conducting original research, processing interviews, producing public-facing work, and engaging with communities across Florida and the Southeast. Alumni regularly describe SPOHP as a transformational part of their education, and many have gone on to careers in public history, archives, education, journalism, law, nonprofit work, and academia.
Sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Instagram to stay up to date on courses, internships, workshops, and other opportunities to get involved.
Courses
HIS 3593: Oral History — offered every spring
This hands-on course introduces students to the theory, methods, and ethics of oral history while guiding them through the process of preparing, conducting, processing, and sharing an original interview. The course is co-listed for undergraduate and graduate students, and it fills quickly.
Internships — offered every fall and spring
SPOHP’s for-credit undergraduate internships (HIS 4944) give students the opportunity to participate in oral history fieldwork, archival processing, outreach, and public engagement.
Workshops
SPOHP offers introductory half-day oral history workshops each fall and spring for students who want to learn more about oral history methods and ethics. These in-person workshops provide practical training and can also serve as a first step for students considering a thesis, capstone, dissertation, or community-based research project involving oral history.
International Oral History Practicum
Launched in 2025–2026 as a collaboration among the Center for African Studies, the Latin American Studies Program, the Department of History, the Center for the Humanities in the Public Sphere, and SPOHP, the International Oral History Practicum (IOHP) is an annual program that brings together graduate students, faculty, staff, and community members around the shared practice of oral history.
A small cohort of graduate students is selected to participate in faculty-guided sessions across the academic year, alongside a larger public event that brings together the oral history community from across campus.
Work at SPOHP
SPOHP offers several ways for students to gain hands-on experience in oral history research, archival practice, and public engagement.
Federal Work Study
SPOHP participates in the Federal Work Study program and encourages students with FWS awards to apply. These positions may include interview processing, transcription support, metadata work, and outreach assistance.
Graduate Assistantships
SPOHP regularly hosts graduate assistants through the Department of History and related partnerships. Graduate assistants help process collections, support archival and project work, contribute to analysis for publication, assist with public programming, and conduct interviews. SPOHP typically hosts two graduate assistants annually.
Project-Based Opportunities
From time to time, SPOHP hires students for specific projects, digitization work, or community-engaged initiatives. Check back regularly or join our email list to learn about upcoming opportunities.
Student Organizations and Research Support
Student Oral History Club
SPOHP supports the Student Oral History Club, a growing student organization that gives students additional ways to stay involved with oral history beyond the classroom.
Support for Student Projects
SPOHP also provides consultation and support for student research projects across campus. Whether you are considering an honors thesis, capstone, dissertation, documentary, or community-based project, SPOHP can help you think through how oral history might support your work.
Ready to Get Involved?
If you are new to oral history, the best place to start is with a course or workshop. If you are looking for hands-on experience, internships, graduate assistantships, and project-based opportunities offer ways to learn by doing. SPOHP is committed to supporting students who are not only studying history, but making it, too.