Aspiring history museum professionals:

If you don't subscribe to History News, the AASLH publication, think about
getting a copy of the forthcoming Summer 2002 issue. The technical leaflet
found therein (#219), authored by myself and a colleague, provides
guidelines for students interested in bettering their chances of finding a
job in the public history fields. It includes info. on educational programs,
internships, volunteer work, networking, internet resources, etc.

As you well know, there is no surefire route to follow in your quest to find
an entry level job. However, there are a number of important steps that
every student should be aware of -- steps that are effective in maximizing
ones chances for breaking into the field.

Nick Ciotola
Sen. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center



-----Original Message-----
From: Kathleen Wadell [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2002 12:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Help! -- Degree options


Hi, Keni and Beth,

Based soley on my experience, a master's in history with a certificate in
Museum Studies will get you farther in the museum world than a master's in
Public History.  The museum studies classes will introduce you to real
museum practices, and will probably give you hands- on
internship practice.  Also, most employers have museum studies backgrounds
(public history just isn't a big feild), so they will trust a recent gradute
of a museum studies program more.

That said, public history is theoretically fascinating (I got my masters in
it). If you have a chance to take a class or two, you definately should.
Also, if you ever decide to go for a PhD, a doctorate in Public HIstory is
the way to go (especially if stacked up on a masters in
museum studies).

As for schools, as long as your degree is from a reputable school, it
doesn't matter which school.  This is particularly true when you are
applying to non- academic jobs in a different geographic region than the
school where you got your degree.  As long as the employer has heard of
your school, they will respect it.  It's better to look for a professor you
want to work with.  You'll only do about a third of your research in the
school library, and the rest at other institutions.  Ask both school
departments about nearby archives/ museums/ respositories/
opportunities for oral history.  They will be able to tell you if they know
about institutions that collect in your area of interest.

I'm writing this fast, so please ask more questions if I don't make sense.

Katie

Keni Sturgeon wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> I'm working on a proposal at the moment and would be very interested in
the answers/advice to this question.
>
> Thanks,
> Keni Sturgeon
> Jensen Arctic Museum
> Western Oregon University
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Beth Tischler <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Saturday, April 13, 2002 6:45 am
> Subject: Help! -- Degree options
>
> > hello all,
> > I'm hoping to be a Collections Manager in the future, and will be
> > startinggrad school in the fall. I have been accepted to a few
> > different schools with
> > different degree options. Between an MA in Public History, and an
> > MA in
> > History with a Certificate in Museum Studies, would one be more
> > advantageousto have when looking for a job?
> > I would very much appreciate hearing from any of you!
> > Thank you,
> > Beth
> > PS two of the schools are Rutgers (MA) and University of Delaware -
> > - does one
> > have better research opportunities than the other? when it comes
> > to finding a
> > job, does where your degree come from matter?
> >
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to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help"
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[log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff
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The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).