Christian.....I'm taking your advise.....

I worked for USWEST Communications for over 18 years.  With the break-up of
the Bell System, over 50,000 employees lost their jobs....and my own
department was
eliminated back in 1995.

However, while working for the phone company, I obtained my undergraduate
degree in
History from PSU.  I also organized and served as founding president of two
nonprofit organizations working with volunteers and special events.  At the
same time I was taking extra college classes in grant writing, special event
management, public relations, culture/humanities, art, etc.  People at the
phone company were saying, "John, why are you taking all those classes and
doing so much?"  [in my mind---I was seeing the news of the possible
break-up of the
company....and I was preparing myself.]   My comments back, is that I wanted
to get into something I liked to do.

I don't know ---- I just enjoy history and museums!

I also served two terms as president of a few USWEST resource groups, and
raised over
$60,000 in profits for needy community agencies.  I also started
volunteering at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site as an Interpretive
Guide.  Then became Program Manager of the Friends of the fort, putting on
their monthly meetings.  I also went out to the public schools with their
traveling trunk outreach program..and really enjoyed that.  Then I grew my
hair long and became a Hudson's Bay voyageur...doing living history at
encampments and mountain men shows.

In addition, I started taking classes in Native American art, culture,
basket weaving -- and even
served on the Board of Directors of the USWEST Employee Resource group,
Voice of
Many Feathers, an employees resource group for Native Americans.  Soon
after, I formed the USWEST Veterans Resource group.

So, when you hear folks on this list stating to "volunteer" and do things
related to
museum work -- it does pay off.

It opened the door for me to work in museums.  I became Executive Director
of a small
museum in eastern Washington, then became an Asst. Director at a private
maritime foundation, and more recently a Curator of Collections (wanting to
pick up more of the technical site of
museum work).   So -- experience and building up your background and resume
is VERY
important.

More recently, I obtained my Masters' in Museology/Nonprofit Management a
few years ago.....so learning more and building up your qualifications is a
never-ending process.

It not only takes work...but sticking to what you like to do.   However, it
is a tough economy...and positions come and go....and even with "experience"
it does not mean there are jobs available or you will have that position
forever.  Museum budgets are tight, and with new boards, new directions and
your own personal growth---you move on.

Good luck to all on their quest for work, i.e., that satisfying job.   This
is a great field, very enjoyable and satisfying....

p.s.  I, too, am available for work..... (BIG SMILE!!!!!)

John Martinson
http://www.geocities.com/jpmart1/

"Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history."
   Abraham Lincoln, Annual Message to Congress, December 1862


----- Original Message -----
From: "Christian Trabue" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2002 12:03 PM
Subject: Subject: Appropriate/Inappropriate that is the question and let's
change the topic


> I like the idea of discussing why/how we got
> interested in the field.  It is a positive way to
> redirect the list.  <snip>

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