"Does the name of the school matter?"  I did indicate
     that a degree is a convenient way to measure
     achievement, in tandem with experience.  Seems to me
     that I look at the size and nature of the program, but
     that I'm more impressed with a degree from a good sized
     or strong school than with a name per se.  Unless the
     degree is from Cooperstown or some other specialized
     place, a large state university is just as attractive
     as a "name" like Harvard (sorry, not intended as a
     put-down of Harvard).  I expect an applicant to show me
     that they have read the job announcement, have relevant
     education AND experience, and to make those
     qualifications clear to me.  We get many applications
     which appear to be part of a broadcast effort rather
     than a serious application for the job we advertise -
     they are less impressive initially than those which
     indicate the applicant actually knows something about
     the subjects with which we deal.

     We require both an advanced degree and experience for
     curatorial poistions, and read experience to include
     internships, volunteer work, and jobs held.  It also
     seems to me that anyone who gets an advanced degree
     without having gained some sort of work experience
     along the way hasn't worked hard enough preparing
     themselves.  This is based on BOTH my having worked
     outside my field while I was schooling (and getting  in
     some field-related work credit at the same time) and on
     my observation that there ARE many people on the market
     who have both degrees and experience.  We really DO
     want the best possible person for each position we
     fill, and look to the applicant to tell us why they are
     the best.  This requires some confidence and some
     writing and presentation ability to accomplish.

     Chris Dill

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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/
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