Building a career in heritage: My internship at SOAS Gallery

Through the Co-Creator Internship Programme, BA World Philosophies student Esha gained hands-on experience as a Documentation Officer at the SOAS Gallery. 

During my Documentation Officer internship at SOAS Gallery, I worked closely with the Collections Management team, Lucy, John and Maria, to support the documentation, organisation and accessibility of the gallery’s object collections. 

Hands-on museum work is rarely offered at this stage, and being trusted with real responsibilities gave me both practical insight and a sense of belonging in the field.

My project involved a wide range of tasks, including updating and reordering object records, writing condition reports and interpretive labels, accessioning new items, photographing objects, and documenting their movements.

The internship was very collaborative, and I had the opportunity to speak with different curators, academics, and collections staff. I also contributed to the gallery's blog and supported teaching by preparing objects for academic use.  

The work I did supported the gallery's mission

My internship played a crucial role in improving access to the SOAS Gallery’s collections, both for academic use and for wider public engagement.  

By contributing to the documentation and organisation of the collection, the work supported the gallery’s broader mission to make cultural and historical material accessible, reliable, and meaningful to students, researchers, and the community.  

As a student with limited professional experience in the heritage sector, I found this opportunity invaluable.  

Hands-on museum work is rarely offered at this stage, and being trusted with real responsibilities gave me both practical insight and a sense of belonging in the field. I felt deeply grateful and inspired, knowing that I was supported in developing my skills and taking tangible steps toward a future career in cultural heritage. 

This internship affirmed my passion for working in the sector

My internship was incredibly rewarding. It was hands-on, well-supported, and intellectually engaging. I enjoyed the balance of practical tasks like object handling and documentation, as well as the opportunity to write content that interpreted objects for different audiences.  

Being surrounded by fascinating material from across Asia and Africa, and seeing how these collections are cared for, really affirmed my passion for working in the heritage sector. 

What I learnt during my internship 

I learned how to catalogue and document museum objects in line with professional standards, how to handle and store fragile items, and how to manage accession data across both physical and digital formats. 

I also gained confidence in writing interpretive content, navigating collections databases, and working independently within a structured system. Beyond technical skills, I developed a stronger sense of responsibility for cultural preservation and accessibility, which I hope to continue to be a part of. 

I hope to build a career in the archives or heritage sector, and this internship gave me the foundational skills and confidence to pursue that path seriously.

I hope to build a career in the archives or heritage sector, and this internship gave me the foundational skills and confidence to pursue that path seriously. Whether in an archive, museum, or academic institution, I want to contribute to making collections accessible, well-documented, and meaningful to a wide range of people.  

A message to other SOAS students 

I would highly recommend the Co-Creator Internship Programme to other students, especially those who are curious about working with collections but might not know where to start. 

It’s a supportive environment where you can build technical skills, develop your interests, and gain valuable insight into how cultural institutions operate. This internship was a turning point for me – it helped me see my passion for heritage as something I could truly pursue as a career. 

The SOAS Co-Creator Internship Programme is an annual programme that provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to work as paid interns on SOAS projects, collaborating with SOAS staff to support developments in learning, teaching and student voice. Applications close 14 November 2025.