THANK YOU so much for this bit of advice. For the longest time I have been
trying so hard to get a job in a museum as a researcher. I just completed my
BA in history and yes, I have faced the ugly reality of pay and job security
in this field. However, it's what I really want to do. This little message
has done a world of good to me because it is very encouraging. Again, thank
you so much and I'll definitely try to take heed to your advice!!

Maria-Theresa
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-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Lopata <[log in to unmask]>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.museum-l
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Friday, December 18, 1998 9:56 PM
Subject: Re: advice on internships &/or employment


>Don't be discouraged by the level of experience sought in ads. The
>education and level of experience required within the museum field is
>generally out of whack not only with the pay but with reality in
>general. My experience has generally been that, regarding entry level
>positions, museums will end up settling for about one fourth what they
>ask in their ad (i.e. they want 2 years development experience=you
>worked in the gallery at school for a semester, or they want someone
>with a masters=you have a B.A..
>
>There are more jobs in museums and fewer people trying to fill these
>positions. Certainly, the more favorable your qualifications the better
>your chances. But with a job market in this sort of situation, the best
>thing you can do is network like crazy and put yourself in the right
>place at the right time.
>
>Don't rule out internships. You may be making only a little less money
>and you'll be in a better position to taylor the experience to your own
>learning goals.
>
>If you're really driven things will happen for you. Short staffing in
>most museums will give you a good opportunity to learn about all sorts
>of things simply because there's too much work for the size of the
>staff. As a result you almost always are provided with an opportunity to
>demostrate your skills and initiative.
>
>There's a huge downside to museums (pay, job security...) but if you
>don't let that bog you down you'll have a huge advantage over those who
>do, but choose to stay within the field anyway- and there are a lot of
>them.
>
>Good luck.
>
>-Rob
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>
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