I wonder if this whole concept of volunteering to get a foot up in
this business is a largely (North) American phenomenon?  When I was
studying in Britain, part of my course was a two month work
experience.  Volunteer, unpaid work - so basically, our entire class
of trained museum (almost) professionals were offering to work for
free.  I would say at least a third of the class had a very hard
time finding a position at a museum of their choosing - and it wasn't
because we were all looking in the same place.  This was a
country-wide search for most people.  One of my
fellow students on the course was German, and he said that in
Germany, volunteering is unheard of as a means to gain job
experience.

I bring up these points to add a new dimension to this discussion -
is this an American phenomenon?  Why is this?  Comments? I'd also be
interested in hearing from any British museum people out there as to
why it's so hard to volunteer there.

I personally am one who benefited greatly from all my volunteer
experiences.  Would it have been better if I'd been paid to be there?
 Certainly, but I knew coming into the field that volunteering was
the way to get ahead, and it has definitely helped me.

***************************
Jennifer Gayman
Collections Manager
University of Maryland
School of Nursing Exhibition Project
(410) 706-6635
All opinions are mine.

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