Smithsonian Institution, Center for Museum Studies
I would like to add to this thread from my perspective as a former
intern (undergrad & grad, paid & unpaid) as well as an intern
coordinator. Internships are a neutral time to help make very important
career decisions without making a long-term commitment. This is
especially important if you discover that what you thought would be a
perfect job isn't so ideal after all. That alone makes for a very
valuable experience. The experience I gained as a result of internships
was worth more than any classes I could have taken and worth the price -
both tangible and intangible.

To rationalize the lack of stipend and cost of tuition for credit
received, I thought of internships as classes without textbooks or
exams. Yes, I put in a lot of time, but it was fun and satisfying and
REAL experience to put on a resume. While doing the graduate internship
(long-term), I also took other classes and worked full-time; not being a
traditional student, I also had family responsibilities of which to take
care. It was tough and tiring, but temporary. It was an investment in
myself.

Having said that, I agree that the lack of stipends leads to a lack of
economic diversity within the field. Not everyone can afford to do an
unstipended internship at the Smithsonian (I sure couldn't) or other
major institution. But, there are other opportunities you can make for
yourself to get the kind of experience which leads to a job in the
field. And, keep in mind that sympathetic intern supervisors will work
with your schedule to make an internship happen. This summer, I will be
supervising an intern (unpaid) who will need to get a part-time job to
pay her expenses; she will work here 20-25 hours/week. You have to set
your priorities.

And, DO APPLY to those highly competitive stipened programs. The worst
that can happen is that you won't get selected. It's certainly worth the
time and effort.

As an intern coordinator, I am working with various organizations to
find intern funding. , but there will never be enough money, I suspect.
Someone mentioned tuition sharing, whereby the academic institution
shares the tuition with the internship sponsor. I know of museums that
use this money to provide stipends for interns.

All in all, internships are an excellent way to gain experience, network
and learn. Though sometimes far from ideal, they are better than having
no opportunity.

Elena Piquer Mayberry                A & I, Suite 2235  MRC 427
Intern Services Coordinator          Washington, DC 20560
Center for Museum Studies            202/357-3102  voice
[log in to unmask]  email          202/357-3346  fax