John...OMG you are too much WOW hehe! I mean that in a good way, of  course!
 
Volunteering isn't for everybody. And with gas prices these days...among  
other things.
There had to be a limit on how much time and effort that I am  able and 
willing to put in. Have to draw the line somewhere. It was hard, but I  finally 
learned how to say no on some things.
 
Some people really aren't in the position to volunteer. Being a  
single-mother, I had to take great care that I knew where my time was best  spent. So I 
used to bring my son with me!
 
I'm not totally knocking volunteerism as you can tell - but there are a lot  
of issues (there is a long-standing anti-volunteerism movement, but let's not 
go  there!) and I want others to be aware that there are or can be  issues 
when it comes to museum work. Mainly, you can work as hard as you  can but it 
doesn't mean that the museum is obligated to hire you, even if they  have a 
position available. If you are going to volunteer - have clear, realistic  goals 
for yourself and understand those of the organization the you are working  for.
 
Many museum's have guidelines for volunteers, people do volunteer work for  
different reasons and museums recognize this.
 
BTW Whether you know it or not, you have described me to a 'T'! Except for  
one or two things like raising millions of dollars! And with my luck, I would 
do  that and still be out of work!  I've been in plenty of  'ditches', 
literally and figuratively. Right down through the glacial  till!
 
I love the museum work I am doing right now, though it's not  permanent, 
full-time work. Maybe I'll be able to get what I want some day, maybe  not. But 
I'll tell you, I did have plenty times where I had to rethink the  possibility 
of museum work. It occurred to me that perhaps it is just too  'exclusive' for 
someone like me (yeh, I'm a Red Sox fan hehe).
 
Apparently a lot of us have had some real lowly jobs. And there are others  
now that have to do those jobs still! And what can we do? Chock it up to  
experience, integrity, learn from it.  I am also grateful  that I never had to work 
tobacco.
 
Pam
 
 
In a message dated 8/23/2005 10:01:00 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

Pamela,

Oh, what can we do about it I have often thought?   Where is that soap box?  
Stand proud and support that war!   Support those higher gas prices, taxes 
and 
hope and pray we have a  retirement.   

Wasn't it Margaret Mead who said:  

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed  citizens 
can change the world.  Indeed it is the only  thing that ever has."  

Each of us are so bogged down with our own  personal agenda and what we
call life, we think change is impossible.   We are in the mind-set that "I, 
me alone.... 
a single person and  individual can do nothing to "change (this) world."

Side note: Museums  are on the front of bringing forth new thoughts, and are 
centers, 
forums  of thought to educate the public.  Maybe, this should be an 
an  approach to exhibits, outreach programs, instead of belly-aching about 
the  system *- do something about it.  Get out into the forums of life *  and
change that system.     

Yes, jobs are VERY  difficult to find in any field at one point or another, 
and  my
recommendations, as discussed by others, is to be as diversified as  you
can be.  VOLUNTEER!  Take those additional courses, seminars  and network!
Yes, Network * and don't forget *- to network.   

Seek new challenges * GO WHERE NO MAN or WOMAN (or puppy with  a
cute wet nose) has not gone before!   SEEK that DREAM!   Take the RISK!
DO it! Use that gray matter and be inventive!  Work  that resume to its
peak!  Climb every mountain, and seek ever means  possible to reach
your highest potential!  Be all that you gotta'  be!  And don't be to PROUD
to climb in a few ditches once in a  while.  

During my life, I've packed dresses for $1.15 an hour,  worked as a bar 
tender,
drove a truck, worked in a warehouse, served in the  military for a war that
killed many of my friends in rice patties I did not  support, worked for 
large 
companies (thinking there was security) and then  "downsized."  I sought
higher education, though *- kept my chin  up!  I volunteered at National
Sites, became involved in fund-raising,  worked special events, took seminars
on volunteerism, grant writing, public  relations.   And when job changes
were facing me * I took it with  stride.  Jumped the walls, and sometimes
even took jobs I did not  like.   

There are so many possibilities for those who want  to work in museums......
by building yourself up to your highest peak, you  can fluctuate when bad 
times
come, and position yourself to fit into a new  job or a different challenge 
in life.

What I like about museum work is  the difference in career fields.  What other
field offers this.   If you are in medical..that is about what your life is 
going to
be.   If you drive a truck, that is what it is going to be, or work in  
construction,
serve bagels with cream cheese or flip burgers at  McD's.   But, but...and 
more
but.....if you work in the museum  field.....you can work with exhibits, build
an educational program that  brings life and a smile to a young child.  You 
can
feed fish, deer or  a rare species of life in a zoo.  You can watch the birth
of a small  polar bear.  You can dig up an ancient form of life, and work  
with
people of different cultures.  You can travel the  world.   You can have 
satisfaction
that you gave someone a new  subject to think about.   You can direct a 
museum,
serve on a  committee, network with city, state and federal officials.  You  
can
work with computers, database systems or sound amplification in an IMAC  show.
You can lead tours, work with volunteers, work with disabled  people.  You can
build outreach programs.   You can raise  money for a $1,000 traveling trunk
program or millions of dollars for a new  high tech museum.  

That is why it is so important to develop  "more than one career" in museum
work * or any job, as suggested by others  in this group.  It is a tough 
field,
but we like to do it.    We enjoy our work.  The benefit are low, but there is
a sense of  satisfaction you cannot get working other jobs.  

I've worked with  many great people...and if you have problems * seek a 
center of friends  that can advise and help you.  Obtain a GREAT group of
professional  people who can be your line of reference.  KNOW what they
are going to  say about you.  Let them KNOW about what you can offer
a potential  employer.  Have people who represent you as a reference to
be positive  about YOU!  They need to be people who SELL YOU! I've seen
and heard  of many references who do not know what a person can
offer an  employee.  Provide them updates, talk with your reference and
notify  them of the jobs you are applying for.  

Again, "a small group of  thoughtful, committed citizens can change the
world...."  With your  volunteering, networking, your updated and always
increasing skills, and  your drive to get the job you want.  YOU WILL!  Stick
the  course.  

OH, and learn how to save your money * so you can retire  early!  And visit
all those museums out there in the world!

My  best,

John 
Boise, ID   






Pamela Silvestri, Museum Assistant
Northeast States Civilian  Conservation Corps Museum
Shenipsit State Forest
166 Chestnut Hill  Road
Stafford Springs, Connecticut 06076
(860)  684-3430

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