I'd like to add my $.02 about unpaid internships since my husband is now
looking at some....

I've done a variety of unpaid, volunteer work, and subsisted (albeit that I
still have nightmares about it) off a "fellowship" when I attended graduate
school. This "fellowship" was $483.25/mo. Those of you out there who have
had similar experiences while trying to pay rent, utilities (I couldn't
afford a phone), tuition (EGAD!), and "food" (I have more recipes for beans
'n rice than I care to even think about anymore) can relate. I've
volunteered on rescue archaeology sites and in a few museums. I've PAID to
dig on archaeological sites just to get the experience (at least museums
aren't CHARGING for experience). In January 1993, I took a paid internship
with the government. For all you students out there who are looking for good
solid internship-type things, look into Co-Operative Education opportunities
with Federal or state governments. Any decent campus should have an office
devoted to this, and it is the best kept secret in all academia. I moved to
Washington, D.C., and made sorta decent money for 9 months straight before
going back to school and finishing up my M.A. I also had a job waiting for
me when I finished my coursework.

My husband has the misfortune of changing careers in his late-20's. After 10
years as assistant curator of a zoo, he's now into history/archaeology and
has almost finished his M.A. He's looking for internships for the summer,
and, while it's annoying that he's now 32 and faced with unpaid work, he
realizes (and I realize) it's a step he needs to take to get the background
he needs to succeed in the field. You do what you have to do, and it looks
better if you graduate with solid work experience behind you (even if it's
unpaid).

I know this is long, but has anyone heard of low-paid or unpaid internships
leading to bigger and better things/ For example, a friend of mine suffered
low wages for a summer internship on a battleship, and now he's a curator at
a maritime museum in Maine. Aren't contacts part of the point of an internship?

Sorry for rambling, but unpaid internships are better than shelling out
between $600 - $1000 for a 6-week archaeological field school. :)

Amy.