Regarding the topic of experience.  I am a new subscriber to the MUSEUM-L
list and I have a question regarding the role of technology, particularly
web development, and obtaining a position at a museum.  I know that there
is a greater demand for web developers in larger museums which have a
greater number of personnel.  My questions are directed to list members
who supervise or are employed in small to medium-sized museums.  To what
degree does web development experience serve as a prerequisite, or, a
desired skill, for obtaining a position?  In general, is web development
experience a desired factor, or, is it a "non-factor"?  If web
development/technological experience is a desired factor for a museum
position, then how much experience is required?

Thank you,

Robert B. Ryals
Graduate Student
Department of History
Florida State University
[log in to unmask]


On Fri, 6 Jun 2003, Julie Moore wrote:

> I view a graduate degree as a different form of experience.  If the position
> requires the kind of experience that a graduate degree seems to confer, then
> I will mark a graduate degree as a requirement.  However, the kinds of
> positions that I hire for can easily substitute real-world experience for a
> graduate degree, and having that degree without any practical experience is
> by no means a guarantee of success.  I will take an experienced,
> under-degreed individual over a many-degreed greenhorn any day.
> (experience, by the way, does not have to be paid:  my best hires have had
> volunteer positions or internships that have been very valuable in giving
> experience.)
>
> I also consider things such as personality hugely important.  The
> candidate's personality has to match the requirements of the position.  I
> will not put an academic bookworm in a position that requires lots of public
> contact and quick judgments--someone who doesn't have the experience to
> quickly weigh alternatives and think on their feet, who needs to conduct
> research for days before making a decision when someone asks them a simple
> question, will just not be successful in that kind of position.  However,
> this person might make a great behind-the-scenes employee, such as a
> curatorial assistant.  Even if a Ph.D. art historian is willing to take a
> customer-service job, there is no reason to assume that the degree and the
> skills are going to overcome a mismatch between personality and job
> requirements.
>
>
> Julia Muney Moore
> Director of Exhibitions and Artist Services
> Indianapolis Art Center
> 820 E. 67th St.
> Indianapolis, IN  46220
> (317) 255-2464 x233
> FAX (317) 254-0486
> email <[log in to unmask]>
> website < http://www.indplsartcenter.org <http://www.indplsartcenter.org/> >
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: James Schulte [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2003 10:23 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Graduate degree v Experience
>
>
> I have sat back and admired the many postings to this thread and thought i
> would add my two cents(maybe 1.5 depending on the reader). A degree is
> nothing but a piece a paper, whether it be a Ba, BS, MA, Ms Phd. Its a piece
> a paper. Unfortuneately that paer seems to mean something in this world,
> Power prestige Knowledge I really dont know what.I have worked with the
> dumbest and the brightest holding these degrees. Hopefully one day people
> will understand its just that apiece a paper. Experience and on the job work
> training is more valuable than a piece a paper because thats what you know,
> have been trained to know, and shows more of your capabilities than any
> piece a paper can.Yes, some of us graduated from the Most prestigious
> colleges in the country while others went to lesser known acadamies. I for
> one may have been fortunate, I did an internship and out of it no I didnt
> get a job but I didnt want one, but I took what I learned and shared it with
> others and today I teach and make a fare living doing that. But
> simultaneously I interpret, research, catalogue,archive,etc.... at the
> museum I was at.I wish all you the best in finding your pursuits , but until
> we lose the mentality that a piece of paper is more important than the mind
> your @@@@ out of luck. I'm sure I'll receive more hate mail for this one but
> hey sorry its the truth. The republicans once said" Are we better off now
> then four years ago?" Well states have serious budgets questions to answer
> in the coming month. New jersey needs $18 million from somewhere or they
> will see a shut down in many cultural and educational venues, i recently
> read(possibly from here) Ohio needs $50  million, New Mexico cut museum
> staffing, Ddlaware most prestigious place to work (in the museum field)
> Winterthur just reduced its staff and closed venues.Today, unemployment is
> at a high, welfare lines continue to increase,people are running short on
> unemployment and no extensions are in sight. Sorry Folks its reality,  were
> in tough times. Good luck to you all , if I can be of help feel free to
> write or call.
> P.S. to those chastising my grammer and spelling get over it, Weve read
> yours and don't complain. God made me human, not perfect.
> James T. Schulte
> South Jersey Historian
> 43 Nottingham Rd
> Pennsville NJ 08070
> 856-678-2230
> "Making South Jersey History come to life"
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