I would like to answer as a former intern. It is somehow frustrating
to be asked to know how to to operate a copy machine and lick stamps.
The aim of an internship is to decide the field in which you want to
work, and then to gain practical knowledge in this field. Is making
copies and doing basic research the best way to know if one wants to
make a job his/her own? I don't think so. I have always been
disappointed by my internships when I had no responsibilities and no
challenging tasks.
Love of history is definitely not enough. If you want your experience
to be enriching, you'd better prove your university education and your
skills match with the internship you apply for.
2012/4/30 Nicole Nathan <[log in to unmask]>:
> Simple answer: no. They have to be able to write, operate a copy machine,
> follow directions, and think on their own.
>
> Nicole Nathan
>
> On Sun, Apr 29, 2012 at 9:00 PM, MUSEUM-L automatic digest system
> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>> There is 1 message totaling 240 lines in this issue.
>>
>> Topics of the day:
>>
>> 1. Is a love of history enough for interns?
>>
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>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:25:33 -0400
>> From: Dave <[log in to unmask]>
>> Subject: Re: Is a love of history enough for interns?
>>
>>
>> Just reviewing old e-mail... I find it difficult to call someone who
>> doesn't know how to write a proper letter "well educated." If it isn't
>> being taught in schools, that's a shame. But as you say, you could Google
>> it.
>>
>> David Haberstich
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Callie Stewart <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: MUSEUM-L <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Tue, Apr 17, 2012 1:08 pm
>> Subject: Re: Is a love of history enough for interns?
>>
>>
>> Absolutely not!!! I am currently in the process of hiring a summer intern
>> and I expect them to already have relevant experience and a degree. I am
>> more lenient with volunteer interns, but I still expect them to earn their
>> keep and "loving history" is not part of the job description. I learned the
>> hard way that accepting anyone who walks through the door with a "love of
>> art" can end up being a disaster and a waste of everyone's time. That being
>> said, I think that basic intelligence and common sense can be a lot more
>> valuable then specific skills. If you have an intern who can learn to do
>> A,B and C quickly and has good research skills, they can be a lot more
>> useful then one who already knows X,Y and Z, but can't problem solve or
>> think on their feet.
>>
>>
>> Honestly, I don't care if they stay in the profession or not. Who knows
>> where they're going to end up in life. I wish them all the best, but their
>> life is not my business or my concern. Perhaps your experience will inspire
>> them to become your future big donor. As long as they are satisfied with
>> the experience and the museum gets something useful out of their time, then
>> everybody wins!
>>
>>
>> What has shocked me is how few applicants (some of them very good and well
>> educated) know how to format a cover letter. It's not hard to Google these
>> things. Why does no one know where to put the date? Or that you are
>> supposed to actually *sign* your name???
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Apr 17, 2012 at 12:38 PM, Fox, Amy <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>> Frustrating as it is to devote scarce time and energy to supervising
>> interns who love history but don't plan to stay in the museum field, you
>> might think of it as an investment in future audiences, museum members,
>> board members, and supporters. Easy for me to say, since it's not my
>> investment of time, but I've known some interns through the years who didn't
>> become museum professionals but are fine citizens, nevertheless, and have a
>> good understanding of our field. Ultimately you're weighing the short-term
>> benefit of an intern with the long-term benefits, which you may not reap.
>> But that's true if they go into the museum profession, too.
>>
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
>> Amy Killpatrick Fox
>> Museum Educator
>> Bureau of Historic Sites & Museums, PHMC
>> Commonwealth Keystone Building
>> 400 North St.
>> Harrisburg, PA 17120
>> 717/772-1967
>> Website: www.patrailsofhistory.com
>> Blog: Trailheads--http://patrailheads.blogspot.com
>>
>> Notice: On **Friday, July 29th**, the commonwealth will be adding @pa.gov
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>>
>> -----Original Message-----
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>> ------------------------------
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>> End of MUSEUM-L Digest - 27 Apr 2012 to 29 Apr 2012 (#2012-105)
>> ***************************************************************
>
>
>
>
> --
> nicole nathan | principal
>
> claret associates | exhibition and collections management
> Portland, Oregon
> 503 490 8971
>
> claretassociates.net
> @ClaretAssoc
> chair | registrars committee | western region rcwr.org
>
>
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