Gregory Scheib wrote:

>So to conclude (finally),I ask again: Is there a difference between an
>intership and volunteering?

Here is how I loosely base my distinctions, although in practice the
difference is muddled.

Interns come to me wanting an educaton in something.  A skill a field or
whatever.  I provide them with that education to the best of my ability,
including providing pertenent background readings, ono-on-one
"tutorials", and a glimpse at the profession.  For example all my interns
get invited to any meeting I attend when appropriate and with permission
of the meeting chair.  They choose their projects from a field of
possible projects which have been designed or selected with their
education and experience in mind, usually in consultation with a
professor or other academic.  They are responsible for any and all
paperwork and being there on agreed upon days.  INterns sometimes have to
prove they are serious or can handle the work, although we do not have a
formal application process.

Volunteers on the other hand are their to do work, whether they learn
anything or not.  They pick what projects they work on restricted only by
their interests and sometimes by their technical training (we probably
have more heavy machinery than your average art gallery so we can't let
just anyone work the turrwet lathe) although we do steer volunteers to a
particular project.  They are held to no set schedule, although the more
dependable volunteers do get more responsibility, and there are few if
any deadlines to meet.  We keep track of all volunteer hours and their
service is rewarded once a year with an award ceremony.  And we do not
deny anyone the chance to start volunteering, although we have asked some
not to return because of safety violations. We currently have a severely
learning disabled adult who plays"Golden Age of Radio" era songs in our
radio gallery.  He never had a piano lesson in his life but can play most
songs by ear.  My point?  We accept everyone who wants to volunteer.  No
competition.  But then no structured program or projects either.

 Although I have interned, I started at my present instituion as a
volunteer technically  (although I think there is a tendancy to call all
volunteers of college age an intern whether they are interning or not)
and I would like to echo and applaud Gregory's post.  I think there
definetly is, or should be, a distinction between interning and
volunteering and one is not necessarily better than the other for gaining
experience or a "foot-in-the-door."


THese thoughts are mine and do not reflect the opinions of my employer,
co-workers, employees, friends, relatives, or signifigant others.

Matthew A. White
Director of Education
Baltimore Museum of Industry
1415 Key Highway
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410)727-4808
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