[log in to unmask] wrote in message <[log in to unmask]>...
...> Am I better off going to college to get hands on training in all fields
of interest or should
>I specialize and go to grad. school. Basically, I am afraid of going to
>college and spending 2 years to get a diploma if I'm better off going to
>grad. school. Does anyone have any advice for one truly lost? Thanks, Kelly
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Dear Kelly:

This process of asking your colleagues for advice is a good start. There is
of course no magic answer. Specialist or generalist? Talk to colleagues as
much as possible before deciding. The response from Nancy Ralph at the NY
Food Museum sounds like good advice. Interning, summer work and even
volunteering at museums gives you exposure and helps you to make up your
mind as to what you want to do - and builds your references and possible
career job leads. Even if those museums can't hire you, if you cultivate
contacts, someone may hear of a job and steer you towards it.

Don't forget to join a museum association. State or Provincial one if you
plan to stay local, national if you plan to be available to move. Check out
student rates of membership. Their literature can help you see what kinds of
jobs are being advertised. Their staff may be of assistance as well. Check
out their web sites. A Canadian example for job hunting in museums is:
http://daryl.chin.gc.ca:8000/BASIS/forum/user/e_careers/SDF?TYPE=Career&FORM
FL_OB=Title&FORM_SO=Ascend

Figure out what YOU want to do. Then try to match that to what people are
being hired for these days.

With modern trends in cut backs in staff, I personally feel that generalists
are more versatile and useful.  How many specialist positions still get
staffed? Do museums try to stretch their dollars to hire people with
multiple talents? Comments from readers?

Me? I'm a generalist and Curator of a large city museum.  A former classmate
became a specialist, went for his PhD, and is now a very senior staff with
our national museum. Each approach has its pros and cons. He and I were
lucky that we went through the education system in the 1970s during the time
of major museum growth.

A note of optimism for you: Watch for the job openings caused by people who
are going to retire in the next decade.

Good luck!

Colin Macgregor Stevens
Curator
Burnaby Village Museum
City of Burnaby, BC, CANADA
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