Katie,

This is indeed a good topic.

I have supervised interns for years in a variety of situations - from
museum conservation labs to a university-based regional lab, to
private practice.

I have had interns who are either in a BA or BS program in college, in
a Masters program in conservation or museum studies, and
post-graduates as well.

I think that it is important to offer all interns, no matter their
experience or knowledge, a balance of both intellectual and physical
tasks, along with a project all their own if there is sufficient time.
I also encouraged interns to publish short articles or to do posters
on specific aspects of what they encountered that most interested them
during their time in the lab.

There may also be requirements in their educational institutions as to
developing a portfolio of projects or writing a comprehensive report
on their internship.

In return, you can have a very positive and energized young person who
can contribute and move projects ahead.I also made a point of getting
the interns out of the lab and encountering the collections in the
multitude of ways that they are used in interpretation, exhibits, etc.
And it is so beneficial to have an intern at work in the lab when you
have visits by the board or public tours - as it is an entry into a
conversation about the profession and how to get into our great field.

Like anyone in any position, I think that interns need a diversity of
experiences, and projects have to be chosen with the best likelihood
for success,  so that positive experiences build on top on one
another.

In conservation we are training the intellect, as well as the muscles,
eyes, and hands. So, even though much of this is about "doing" it is
equally important to cultivate and develop the ability to "see" and to
evolve the critical skills in intellectually aproaching objects and
treatments.

Even though some may not be in conservation or museum work anymore, I
am still in touch with many of my interns, some from now many years
ago.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California, USA

On 9/27/05, Katie Wadell <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hi Museum-L-ers,
>
>  Would anyone be interested in discussing techniques and skills for
> supervising interns, either on-line or off-line? How do you train your
> interns, plan projects for them, etc?  How do they fit into the life of your
> institution?  What do you expect from them, and does that line up with what
> they expect from you?
>
>   I'm considering an article on managing interns and internships, and would
> love to ask questions and collect real-life examples of effective management
>  - and real-life problems or insecurities.  (I know I've been a lousy intern
> supervisor at times!)  I recently got into a discussion on the  problems of
> supervising and motivating interns,  and was encouraged to write on the
> topic by someone else who wanted advice.  I'd also love to hear from former
> interns who benefited from good supervision- what did your supervisors do
> that was particularly effective?
>
>  Thanks so much,
>
>  Katie Wadell
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