Elena wrote:
>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.

I agree- while in the Museum Studies grad program at Arizona State I
completed 2 unpaid semester long (20 hrs per week) internships one year,
worked full time and took additional courses. I am certainly not
superwoman, so I have a hard time understanding where the complaints come
from about unpaid internships as the required courses they are in grad
school. We all just accepted it when we read the program description!!

The world of academics and non-profits will never compensate in dollars as
some other segments of sociey do. The value system is completely different.
Yes, you have to pay to obtain a degree. You will have no free time and eat
Top Ramen noodles every day.  You will go into debt. So be it. Elena is
right- it's an investment in yourself and from reading this thread I think
perhaps an excellent weeding out process for those who can't handle a
lifetime of service without large monetary reward.

Sandra L. Harris
Arizona State Capitol Museum

Sandra L. Harris
Arizona State Capitol Museum
1700 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ. 85007
(602) 542-4342 office
(602) 542-4690 fax