I didn't have any specific problems with the message posted, however, I
want to take the opportunity to say that my undergraduate experience was
vital to where I am today.  I was fortunate enough to study Museum Studies
and Anthropology at Beloit College.  Within this environment I was able to
learn museum skills which most people don't get until they begin their
graduate work (exhibit research, exhibit installation, collections
management, registration , etc.) Museum Studies students at
Beloit basically run the museums (with the assistance of spectacular
directorship).

So, what was my point?  Well, I was one of those real losers in college
who actually went to study and learn, so I count those 3 1/2 years as
invaluable.

As for this whole business about advanced degrees, I think it depends on
what you want to do.  Within anthropology museums, especially those
associated with universities (and most are), there seems to be the
expectation that if you want to be a curator you have to have a Ph.D.  I
do think this is unfortunate, especially for those of us who got started
in museums at the undergraduate level.  I have expressed my frustration
regarding this to friends, but have resigned to the fact that I will have
to pursue another degree.

Hope this wasn't received with any offence-  I just wanted to stick up for
my undergraduate experience.

Jill Brush
Curator of History
Johnson County Museum of History
Shawnee,KS



On Fri, 13 Nov 1998, Harry Needham wrote:

> Well said, Chris Dill.
>
> Those of us who have advanced degrees would agree, I think, that our
> undergraduate work did relatively little to prepare us for employment, but
> that it DID give us enough exposure to different areas of endeavour as to
> permit us to discover what we did, or did not want to spend our lives doing.
> In my own case, it reinforced a lifelong preoccupation with certain aspects
> of history but I only learned the tools of the several trades I have
> practiced since then, through studies at the graduate level and (much more
> so!) in the almost thirty years study in the School of Hard Knocks since I
> completed my graduate work.
>
> I also agree with Chris that education is one of the basic yardsticks by
> which we judge candidates for jobs, as is experience, and I note that he
> does NOT suggest that one is necessarily more essential tan the other.
>
> The problem, for most people with brand-new undergraduate degrees, lies in
> acquiring both education AND experience and I believe that our current
> economic climate is making it bloody difficult for people to acquire either.
>
> Harry Needham
> Special Advisor - Programme Development
> Canadian War Museum
> 330 Sussex Drive,
> Ottawa, Canada
> K1A 0M8
> Voice: (819) 776-8612  Fax (819) 776-8623
> Email: [log in to unmask]
>
> > ----------
> > From:         Dill, Christopher L.[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> > Reply To:     Museum discussion list
> > Sent:         Friday, November 13, 1998 9:57 AM
> > To:   [log in to unmask]
> > Subject:      Re: Advanced degree required
> >
> >      Deb asked:  "Why are advanced degrees required?"
> >
> >      The short answer is that you don't learn enough, either
> >      in general or specific, with a BA degree, and the
> >      museum advertising a job wants some proof that a
> >      college has trained you (in what ever field) and
> >      certifies that you have learned something.
> >
> >      In terms of management, we "require" degrees because we
> >      get 20-50 applicants for each job we advertise, and it
> >      is quite convenient to use the degree standard (in
> >      combination with experience) to identify a top group of
> >      applicants to interview.
> >
> >      Yes, I know we may miss out on someone who is
> >      absolutely exquisite, but who doesn't have a degree.
> >
> >      Chris Dill
> >
> > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> > C. L. Dill, Museum Director
> > State Historical Society of North Dakota
> > 612 East Boulevard
> > Bismarck  ND  58505-0830    USA
> > P: (701)328-2666
> > F: (701)328-3710
> > E:  [log in to unmask]
> > Visit our Web site at: http://www.state.nd.us/hist/
> > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> >
>