Is it really a question of "making a fortune," or of making a living?

We do have choices but so did dock and factory workers in the early part of
the century.  They did something about it.  The did not role over as many
accomodationists have a tendency to do.


------
Robert Handy
Brazoria County Historical Museum
museum_bob
[log in to unmask]
http://www.bchm.org

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From:   Elizabeth Stith[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Tuesday, July 28, 1998 11:39 AM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: The Value of an M.A. - $7.25/hr?

I do not feel that museums do not value the degrees - or whatever level of
education - their employees have.  It has not been my experience that any
museum pays less than they can afford.  I still believe that, except for a
few rarified institutions, funding will always be a problem and that museum
staff members will be paid as well as possible.  If those new to the field
feel that the starting salaries are too low I invite them to find ways to
raise more money for staff salaries - not something most donors are
attracted to - or find another field.  I made a decision several years ago
about the quality of my life and part of that decision was the
understanding that I was not going to make a fortune doing what I want to
do.  At no time have I felt underappreciated because of my salary.  For me
that are many other benefits which make up for a portion of salary - though
certainly not all.