Cindy,

Frankly my heart goes out to you, and I wish I could say that I thought your
problems were unique and exceptional, but alas, I think that they are not.

You have some wonderful qualifications.  Perhaps you might want to consider
tracking opportunities in related non-profit sectors
(http://fdncenter.org/pnd/jobs/index.html is a good job listing site) where
your perspective on the arts and education might find a friendlier
environment.

Good luck whatever you do.

Ellen Cutler
LNB Associates: writing, editing, proofreading, research services
Aberdeen, MD  21001

----- Original Message -----
From: Cindy Barnard <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2001 1:22 PM
Subject: Re: Museum Education?


> Hello;
> I know I'm going to sound like an embittered and negative person- but here
> goes. This has been my experience; and I know that everyone is different.
> I can tell you that finding even the most basic entry-level education
> position has been the single most frustrating thing I have ever done--
even
> given that I have geographic limitations. I find plenty to apply for in
the
> area; but I've been at this 5 years. I was a docent conducting
interpretive
> programming(and still do).The only job I managed to get was visitor
> services.I decided to get a graduate museum education degree(from GWU) The
> only position I could find was severely part time(12hrs/week)as a museum
> aide at a historic site(good people, though).I kept that job for close to
5
> years (while working another job full-time and volunteering).I thought;
baby
> steps- perhaps this would be a stepping stone. The only full time position
I
> got was; again in visitor services(worst job I ever had- such abusive
> management).I got that job based on my visitor services experiences.The
> upshot of this is- I don't believe the grad. museum ed. degree has had the
> slightest impact on my employment. I wish I hadn't spent the hard-earned
> money on it. I even started out as an educator- I started as a certified
art
> educator grades 7-12 and even got a first Master's in art teacher
education.
> I taught part time grades 4 through adult. Currently, I am a public
programs
> assistant; again with little educational content. I saw one (coveted)
> position go to another volunteer who had an English Lit. Bachelor's and no
> other education experience. I've seen job after job go like this.We were
> given statistics on how many graduates held museum positions; but in
> retrospect I think we naively failed to question what positions were
> held(education; or security and gift shop?)and were they even close to
full
> time? The number was low even at that(67% was quoted).I thought I might've
> had a slight edge since I started as an educator. I think that I've
finally
> gotten realistic about it. Many from my class still haven't found
> education-related or full time work.  I love volunteering; working to
> improve our interpretation any way I can. But had I the chance to do it
> again (knowing what I know, of course) I wouldn't spend money on an
> additional degree. I know other people have had more positive experiences
> but it's good to hear the other side;too. I'd be very cautious about
> additional education as an investment towards future employment-weigh the
> costs towards the benefit.
>
>
> >From: Andrea Morrill <[log in to unmask]>
> >Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: Re: Museum Education?
> >Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2001 13:25:59 -0600
> >MIME-Version: 1.0
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> >Received: from home (home.ease.lsoft.com) by home.ease.lsoft.com (LSMTP
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> >From [log in to unmask] Tue Mar 27 11:52:18 2001
> >Approved-By: [log in to unmask]
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> >Message-ID:  <F926779699CED2119844009027458037CF78E0@DMA-EXCHANGE>
> >Sender:       Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
> >
> >I think that advice from professionals can always be helpful to others,
so
> >I
> >would appreciate seeing replies posted to the list.
> >Thank you to all who are willing to give advice to those who are just
> >starting out!
> >Sincerely,
> >Andrea Morrill
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Mallek, Anne [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> > > Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2001 1:01 PM
> > > To:   [log in to unmask]
> > > Subject:      Re: Museum Education?
> > >
> > > I am in a similar position to Lisa, and would also appreciate any
advice
> > > that anyone can offer on the best way to enter the field of Museum
> > > Education.  Replies can also be addressed to me offline.  Thanks very
> >much
> > > in advance.
> > >
> > > Anne Mallek
> > >
> > >  -----Original Message-----
> > > From:   Lisa Troy [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > > Sent:   Tuesday, March 27, 2001 11:03 AM
> > > To:     [log in to unmask]
> > > Subject:        Museum Education?
> > >
> > > Dear List Members,
> > >
> > > For the past two years I have been trying to land a job in a museum
> > > education department.  I completed my MA in Art History in 1999 and
> > > currently work as an art cataloger in a university slide collection.
My
> > > question, for any and all interested, is how do I break into the
field?
> > > Because I work full-time I cannot intern at a local museum, although
in
> > > the
> > > past I have interned at museums and galleries.  To keep my educational
> > > experience growing I work as an adjunct professor at a local community
> > > college in the evenings.  I thought this experience would help my
quest,
> > > but
> > > it seems to have done the opposite!  I apply for entry-level work as
an
> > > educator and my resumes receive no replies.  I apply for mid-level
work
> >to
> > > the same end.  Does anyone have any insight?  Do I need another
degree?
> > > How
> > > do I gain the experience required?  Thanks in advance.  Please reply
to
> >me
> > > off list.
> > >
> > > Sincerely,
> > > LT
> > >
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information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message
to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help"
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