I am/was a graduate student in Interdisciplinary Archaeological Studies,
and pursuing a graduate minor in Museum Studies.  My undergraduate work
was in Anthropology & History, and I've worked with public libraries for
about 10 years.  In addition, I'm highly computer literate.

One problem.  I can't find employment in the museum or archaeological
community, despite a promising background.  There was a recent opening
for an entry-level $22,000/year position at the Minnesota History Center
for which I wasn't even called to interview.

This fall I've been admitted to a management/analyst degree program and
I'm thinking of scrapping my plans to pursue a life goal of studying
the past.

Is there any hope, suggestion, or advice someone can offer me to continue
with my archaeology/history/museum work?  Job prospects simply look
dismal, particularly with the rightward slant in Congress and how this
will be affecting NEA and NEH museum funding.

I love the history and the philosophy of museums -- but I need to pay
bills.  Volunteer work won't support a household and I have not recieved
ANY grants or scholarships while in graduate school.  Should I just
scrap the idea of museum work?


Paul F. Bramscher
Interdisciplinary Archaeological Studies
University of Minnesota -- Minneapolis