Very well put Ms. White!!!!! It's good to know that there are others out
there who have gone through or are going through very much the same as I am.
You have given me hope!!! Thank you so much for your very insightful and
inspiring letter!!!
Maria-Theresa
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-----Original Message-----
From: Jessica White <[log in to unmask]>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.museum-l
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thursday, January 07, 1999 9:24 AM
Subject: Re: Paying interns


>Hello list members--
>
>I've been hemming and hawing about whether or not to put my word in, and if
>would really provide any constructive help. But, if there are institutions
>out there who are wondering how to deal with interns, the more opinions,
>the better (I guess).
>
>I spent most of my undergraduate years trying to find an internship for the
>summer that would pay. Like most undergrads, not only did I have rent to
>pay, but all of the other sundry payments that we all have (car, utilities,
>etc.). However, like most, I was really disheartened when I could not find
>much, and most were out of my geographic area, which would have meant
>finding housing (most of the time not provided) and having to pay for food
>and transportation. Unless students are wealthy to begin with, most of the
>time this sort of situation is impossible to deal with. However, like most
>students trying to break into the museum field and academics, I was pressed
>to find an internship, since experience is the life or death, I was told,
>of a new career.
>
>Luckily, I found an internship after graduation, which I am currently at.
>And, unlike most I found, I am being paid a generous amount
>($1100/month...actually $800 after taxes!).  And, in defense of mid-sized
>museums and departments, I can see how hard it is for departments to scrape
>the money together to pay interns. (Actually, I am being paid by an outside
>money source.) And, sadly, even the amount I am getting is not enough, and
>I, like most other interns I think, have had to moonlight at another
>part-time job.
>
>As a young professional trying to navigate through school and
>resume-building experiences, an internship like this means a lot. And,
>luckily, I am living in an area of the country which is not as expensive as
>others (I'm in Springfield, IL). To be honest, I couldn't imagine trying to
>survive in a larger city on the same income. Of course, I am going to say
>that it is of upmost importance to departments to try and compensate
>interns as much as possible. At this internship, too, I am treated as a
>'regular' staff member, and have corresponding benefits.
>
>Also, I would say that advertising is key if you can't fill internships. As
>an undergrad, I never knew of Museum discussion lists, and actually came
>across the posting for my internship by accident at another museum. I know
>as an undergraduate, I was on many list-servs, and still missed quite a few
>opportunities, I am sure.
>
>I should probably end here...although this is a very worthy discussion. In
>today's world of finances and budgets, trying to pay interns may not be on
>the top of a priority list for a museum. But, from this end, it is a
>priority, and one which, sadly, is sometimes the difference between
>applying or not. Also, another problem is that many internships start at
>varying times of the year...internships which start, say, in January and
>end in March or April are *very* hard for undergraduates, or even
>graduates, to fill. Also, summer internships sometimes start before
>graduation. This is something, too, that departments should think about
>before trying to institute a new program.
>
>Thank you for your time!
>Jessica White
>