Amy: by now you're probably tired of hearing about museum studies programs;
however, I wanted to add my encouragement to others that you 1) look into both
(and other) programs because each has different strengths; 2) get as much
experience as you can before applying!  I finished coursework at Cooperstown
in 94 and chose it over five other programs (3 based in anthropology depts)
for the simple reason I wanted to learn everything about how a museum is run:
from the top to each side to the bottom...and after my two years in
Cooperstown, I know that was the right choice for me!
  My bachelors degree is in Anthropology and I believe my undergraduate
background helped more than a little in keeping some of my classmates grounded
in the "people" side of the museum experience.  As others have pointed out,
having a Master's isn't always the only key to obtaining a job -- I found a
part-time temporary job first, then worked as an intern for eight months with
John Falk and Lynn Dierking (what a fabulous learning experience that was!)
and now have a dream job working at a small archaeological site and museum --
don't make much money, but the job satisafaction more than compensates!
  P.S. Hi Erik!

----------
From:   Museum discussion list on behalf of EASTMANWILLEASTMAN
Sent:   Wednesday, January 31, 1996 3:41 AM
To:     Multiple recipients of list MUSEUM-L
Subject:        Re: Museum studies

Amy: I am a first year student in the museum studies program at George
Washington University. I also considered programs at San Francisco State
University, New York University, Arizona State University, University of
Washington and John F. Kennedy University in San Francisco. My specific
interests and GW's internship opportunities at the Smithsonian Institution
brought me to Washington. While I did not consider the Cooperstown History
Museum Program because my focus is primarily anthropology, I have heard
wonderful things about it. The advisor for the museum studies program at
GW is Marie Malaro. If you're remotely interested in museum studies I'd
suggest checking out her books. The phone number for the museum studies
program is (202)994-7030. They'd be happy to send you an informational
packet.

Will Eastman
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On Tue, 30 Jan 1996, Amy Johnson wrote:

>   I am a junior history major interested in a career in museums. I am
> innterested in a graduate degree in museum studies. I am looking at
> the programs at George Washington University and the Cooperstown
> History Museum Program. I would appreciate it if students or graduates
> of these programs could tell me more about them. Thank you.
>     Amy Johnson
>
>     [log in to unmask]
>