As someone who may soon (crossing fingers) be hiring entry level collections staff, my answer has to be yes and no.  Yes, I think that ANY museum experience is better than NO museum experience, but having no collections experience at all is not helpful.  With competition as stiff as it is, I'd say you'd be much better off volunteering in collections.  Your skills as a volunter coordinator and in exhibits will be very helpful I have no doubt, but rounding that out with solid collections experience would make you more desirable.

Erin

Erin Quinn
Curator of Collections
City of Greeley Museums
919 7th Street
Greeley, CO 80631
(970) 350-9218
[log in to unmask]
www.greeleymuseums.com


>>> [log in to unmask] 05/22/04 08:16AM >>>
Perhaps I can start a new thread to occupy everyone's minds.

I currently work in an Art and Science Museum, and I will have a degree
in Historic Administration/Public History. My area of interest is
collections management, and I eventually want to work in that field.

At my current position, I am Visitor Services/Volunteer Coordinator for
my museum, and have, in the past, worked in the education department as
well as assisting with exhibit installations.

I've always felt that ANY museum experience looks good on the CV for
future employment. My question is as follows: is that true? Could I spend
my time more productively at another job and volunteer at a museum in the
area I want to work in? Is my time in this position valuable to my future
career?

Any comments/thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

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