Deb,

Please let us know what you find out about professional qualifications
(perhaps I missed a response to your original post?).  I am sure that a lot
of us would be interested.  I agree that experience counts for a tremendous
amount in the museum field (any for that matter).  I think this is evidenced
by looking at the majority of museum job ads requiring a minimum of 3-5
years of experience in the duties.  I don't have that, and I keenly feel the
disadvantage.  But, we all have to start somewhere!  :o)

Thank you for bringing up the topic.

Amie Geremia

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Deb Fuller
Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2000 9:24 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Professional museum qualifications


In a message dated Thu, 13 Jul 2000  7:47:43 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
"Ginger M. Young" <[log in to unmask]> writes:

<< All you have to do is pass the courses?!  Please!  Give those of us who
have
worked extremely hard to get a Masters degree in Museum Science some credit.
There are 3 days of written exams and then an Oral Exam before one can
graduate from Texas Tech University, along with many other high standards
that are upheld by the degree program.
------
Please, let's not get into the "I've spent 3 years of my life writing papers
and living on Ramen noodles to get an advanced degree" whine.

The intent of professional qualifications, from my understanding, is to
prove that you have actual practical knowledge of a subject or field through
tests, portfolios and other professional assessments.

While an advanced degree gives someone a base level of credibility and are
highly touted by those who have them, professional qualifications also give
people a level of credibility who don't have the degree but plenty of
practical work experience in a particular field. Some qualifications are
also not awarded unless you've had a number of years in a field as well as a
degree in the subject.

Personally, I feel like that professional qualifications are a good thing
for people - even more so than degrees in some cases - because they give
people who have practical experience and expertise a chance to be recognized
in fields where otherwise it's a money and time game to get the higher level
positions. (i.e. people who can't afford the time or money to get an
advanced degree can work their way up in the field and be respected as just
as qualified as someone who gets the advanced degree.)

Deb

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