I would hope that the idea of education for the sake of knowledge is not
"retro"-whatever that means, on the other hand there is such a thing as
professional training.
In an ideal world undergraduate degrees would be truly educational-in the
sense of teaching general skills, enabling one to explore fields and
knowledge systems, allowing for pure pleasure in knowledge and to help
expand creativity. Graduate degrees, on the other hand, are more geared
towards professionalization. Does one need a degree, particularly a Museum
degree, to become a good museum professional? No! But it helps to have such
a degree to get hired (folks tend to be lazy and it is easier to assume that
someone who has an advanced degree knows their stuff instead of testing this
premise). Professionalization can be a good thing, although most often it
helps kill the creative impulse (once you are in the box it is hard to think
"outside the box").
If you want to become a museum professional, want to start at a higher than
entry level salary range, and want to learn the core concepts of your
profession, then an advanced degree is good. Hopefully your undergraduate
days have educated you pretty well.
n.burlakoff
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf
Of Michael A. Lewis, Ph.D.
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2003 11:18 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Graduate degree Vs Experience
on 5/29/03 4:58 AM, Carl Kramer at [log in to unmask] wrote:
> I was just wondering if an MA is really worth the
> money in the light of this? I like enriching my mind and going to
classes,
> but its expensive.
I realize I am branding myself as hopelessly retro in these days of
modern times!
The purpose of a program of study for an advanced degree is not to
facilitate the degree holder's intent to make more money. One undertakes a
program of study for the opportunity to learn more about a specific subject;
at the masters level to learn more about a broad discipline; at the
doctorate level to learn more about a narrow range of a specific
subdiscipline.
As a result of this concentration on learning, one is eligible to work
in specific fields, which may or may not result in higher earnings
potential, and one is prepared to do research or teach in a specific field.
If you want to make more money, start at the bottom, learn the business
and work your way up. If you're interested in learning more about the
discipline and contributing to the understanding of others, work toward an
advanced degree.
Michael
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