Ms Nickles:

Thanks for the encouraging thoughts.  I especially appreciate #3 and #4.
'Cuz right now, I don't see retirement as an option (no sarcasm
intended).

Cynthia Ogorek
Matteson Historical Museum
Matteson, IL




Belinda Nickles wrote:
>
> This will be my last word on museum pay (I think).
>  This is mainly for those young people who don't
> think they can afford to work in museums.  It may
> sound like sermonizing in places and I have never
> worked in the corporate world so some advantages
> of museum work may be the same as in the
> corporate world.  Anyway, here we go with my
> experiences:
>
> 1.  Some museums who aren't able to pay a living
> wage, will offer housing to help compensate.
>
> 2.  The benefit packages offered at a museum:
> insurance, retirement accounts, etc., need to be
> figured into the salary to get a true picture of what
> a museum is paying.
>
> 3.  Museums will pay for workshops and conferences
> which improve your skills for your present job, but
> also improves your chances of finding a better job
> in the field.
>
> 4.  You can work in the museum field no matter
> what your age.  I know of people in their 90's holding
> paid museum positions.  You just need a working
> mind. (in the case of curators, we are sometimes
> considered eccentric and so can even get away with
> having only part of a mind).
>
> 5.  No amount of money can make it easier to get
> up in the morning if you don't love your job.  The best
> job satisfies the soul--and sometimes that's worth more
> than money.
>
> For those complaining that they can't pay their bills, yes
> you can--you just won't live in style.  Everytime my
> husband and I move so I can take a new position, I am
> our sole support until he finds a job and that includes
> paying 2 student loans. We don't live fancy, but we're
> comfortable and being a curator is worth it.