The only thing I would add to Beth's message is that there is the odd larger
museum (Canada's national museums are examples) where you CAN get hired if
you have a GOOD master's degree AND have partially completed a doctorate
(e.g., have completed the coursework and have an accepted dissertation
proposal). Even so, given the number of PhDs looking for jobs, it is a tough
fight to find a job. I recall that when I was in grad school lo these 30
years ago, in the evil days of punch card data entry, a colleague was
completing his PhD in history. For his specialty, modern European diplomacy,
hardly an arcane area, there were at the time, in all of Canada and the USA
east of the Mississippi, exactly 14 university teaching jobs open. One
wonders what the museum situation might have been. This problem has been
with us a long time and, from what I can see, it is getting progressively
worse. One wonders how many PhDs are driving taxis. On the other hand, a
first class constable in Ontario's largest police force, working the amount
of overtime that their officers routinely (are expected to?) work, can
easily make $100,000 a year (haven't checked today, but I think that's at
least $1200 US dollars). Yes indeed, we are definitely NOT here for the
money!

Harry

"Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you
are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup"

Harry Needham
President
Harry Needham Consulting Services Inc.
Training & consulting services for heritage institutions
74 Abbeyhill Drive
Kanata, Ontario K2L 1H1
Canada
email: [log in to unmask]
(Voice) +1.613.831-1068
(Fax) +1.613.831-9412
----- Original Message -----
From: Beth Petriello <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2000 11:08 AM
Subject: Re: Masters/PhD issue


> It has been my experience that it is nearly inmpossible to get a
curatorial position at a major institution in a large city without a PhD.
For example, most New York City museums won't even look at you for an
Assistant Curator position without PhD in hand.  Smaller city museums and
regional or suburban museums are more willing to hire people with MA's, as
long as they have several years of experience.
>
> So, it all depends on what you want to do and where you want to work.  It
seems the best route is to work at a smaller museum while you obtain your
PhD.  Then, you will have both the degree and the experience required.
>
> Beth Petriello
>
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