Robin,

I completely understand where you are coming from.  I just graduated in May
with a bachelor's degree in Museum Studies and am having a hard time getting
internships let alone a job.  They all want you to have "3-5 years
experience" yet, as you say, I can't afford to volunteer although it would
be nice.  I have one 3-month internship under my belt yet, that hasn't even
been enough to get me another summer internship.  As you said, I think more
consideration needs to be taken into account for new museum professionals
who have the degrees but can't get the experience because no one wants to
give them the chance.  I hope your comments will help others, who are
feeling the same way, see that they are not alone.
Thank you,
Adrienne Marrah

On Sun, 28 May 2000 20:16:48 -0400, Museum discussion list wrote:

>  I will be graduating college with a B.A. in history in 2 months time. I
>  would like to pursue a career in museum work. Graduate school is of
course
>  planned for the future, not the immediate future, but sometime within the
>  next 3 years. I was looking through a museum newsletter and became very
>  frustrated when all of the jobs in museum work that I was interested in
>  requested that the applicant have 3 to 5 years of experience. The is a
>  double edged sword here folks. How am I supposed to get that many years
of
>  experience when I can't get a job because I haven't had a job to gain
that
>  many years of experience? I am a huge fan of volunteerism, but I
certainly
>  can't volunteer in a museum for the next 3 years. I am currently doing a
6
>  week internship at a locan railroaders museum, getting introduced to all
>  aspects of museum work. However, 6 weeks isn't 3 years. There are people,
>  me being one of them,who would want to be able to take over caring for
>  historical artifacts and want to learn the proper techniques for doing
so,
>  but run into problems because we are unable to find people or programs
that
>  are willing to do on the job training. Remember, if you (as in museum
>  professionals) are worried about who will take care of artifacts and
other
>  historical aspects, rest assure there are people out there who are more
>  than willing to learn the craft, just teach us.
>
>  Any advice and/or comments would be wonderful and most appreciated.
>
>  Thank you
>  Robin F.
>
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