How much is it a factor? I don't know- but is it part of my job? Yes.  Was
it when I hired on? No.  Will it be part of my successors? Probably.  You
need to remember that in smaller museums the world isn't so
compartmentalized as it is in larger institutions- here we all jump in and
do what needs to be done.  We have a total staff of three.  I am the curator
(according to my business cards) but am actually everything that isn't the
director or the educator- as a result I handle the PR end of the world also.
This is because most of the PR is exhibits related and since I'm the one
with the most knowledge of the exhibits...  This was also the logic for
making me the one in charge of the website.  Since I don't have time to
become proficient in code I rely on a basic understanding of HTML and
MicroSoft FrontPage- I would love to be able to truly update and change the
site but that's not in the cards, or my current skill level so we work with
what we have.

It is one of those wonderful skills that can mean the difference to a
smaller institution when deciding on hiring.  Many small museums might have
never thought of having such a thing as their own website, but finding
someone who is hirable for another position and can also maintain a basic
site...  Talk about a find.

Nikkie Cooper, Curator
Fort Morgan Museum

P.O. Box 184
Fort Morgan, CO 80701
970-867-6331
[log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Ryals" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2003 7:31 PM
Subject: Re: Graduate degree v Experience


> Regarding the topic of experience.  I am a new subscriber to the MUSEUM-L
> list and I have a question regarding the role of technology, particularly
> web development, and obtaining a position at a museum.  I know that there
> is a greater demand for web developers in larger museums which have a
> greater number of personnel.  My questions are directed to list members
> who supervise or are employed in small to medium-sized museums.  To what
> degree does web development experience serve as a prerequisite, or, a
> desired skill, for obtaining a position?  In general, is web development
> experience a desired factor, or, is it a "non-factor"?  If web
> development/technological experience is a desired factor for a museum
> position, then how much experience is required?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Robert B. Ryals
> Graduate Student
> Department of History
> Florida State University
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
> On Fri, 6 Jun 2003, Julie Moore wrote:
>
> > I view a graduate degree as a different form of experience.  If the
position
> > requires the kind of experience that a graduate degree seems to confer,
then
> > I will mark a graduate degree as a requirement.  However, the kinds of
> > positions that I hire for can easily substitute real-world experience
for a
> > graduate degree, and having that degree without any practical experience
is
> > by no means a guarantee of success.  I will take an experienced,
> > under-degreed individual over a many-degreed greenhorn any day.
> > (experience, by the way, does not have to be paid:  my best hires have
had
> > volunteer positions or internships that have been very valuable in
giving
> > experience.)
> >
> > I also consider things such as personality hugely important.  The
> > candidate's personality has to match the requirements of the position.
I
> > will not put an academic bookworm in a position that requires lots of
public
> > contact and quick judgments--someone who doesn't have the experience to
> > quickly weigh alternatives and think on their feet, who needs to conduct
> > research for days before making a decision when someone asks them a
simple
> > question, will just not be successful in that kind of position.
However,
> > this person might make a great behind-the-scenes employee, such as a
> > curatorial assistant.  Even if a Ph.D. art historian is willing to take
a
> > customer-service job, there is no reason to assume that the degree and
the
> > skills are going to overcome a mismatch between personality and job
> > requirements.
> >
> >
> > Julia Muney Moore
> > Director of Exhibitions and Artist Services
> > Indianapolis Art Center
> > 820 E. 67th St.
> > Indianapolis, IN  46220
> > (317) 255-2464 x233
> > FAX (317) 254-0486
> > email <[log in to unmask]>
> > website < http://www.indplsartcenter.org
<http://www.indplsartcenter.org/> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: James Schulte [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2003 10:23 AM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Graduate degree v Experience
> >
> >
> > I have sat back and admired the many postings to this thread and thought
i
> > would add my two cents(maybe 1.5 depending on the reader). A degree is
> > nothing but a piece a paper, whether it be a Ba, BS, MA, Ms Phd. Its a
piece
> > a paper. Unfortuneately that paer seems to mean something in this world,
> > Power prestige Knowledge I really dont know what.I have worked with the
> > dumbest and the brightest holding these degrees. Hopefully one day
people
> > will understand its just that apiece a paper. Experience and on the job
work
> > training is more valuable than a piece a paper because thats what you
know,
> > have been trained to know, and shows more of your capabilities than any
> > piece a paper can.Yes, some of us graduated from the Most prestigious
> > colleges in the country while others went to lesser known acadamies. I
for
> > one may have been fortunate, I did an internship and out of it no I
didnt
> > get a job but I didnt want one, but I took what I learned and shared it
with
> > others and today I teach and make a fare living doing that. But
> > simultaneously I interpret, research, catalogue,archive,etc.... at the
> > museum I was at.I wish all you the best in finding your pursuits , but
until
> > we lose the mentality that a piece of paper is more important than the
mind
> > your @@@@ out of luck. I'm sure I'll receive more hate mail for this one
but
> > hey sorry its the truth. The republicans once said" Are we better off
now
> > then four years ago?" Well states have serious budgets questions to
answer
> > in the coming month. New jersey needs $18 million from somewhere or they
> > will see a shut down in many cultural and educational venues, i recently
> > read(possibly from here) Ohio needs $50  million, New Mexico cut museum
> > staffing, Ddlaware most prestigious place to work (in the museum field)
> > Winterthur just reduced its staff and closed venues.Today, unemployment
is
> > at a high, welfare lines continue to increase,people are running short
on
> > unemployment and no extensions are in sight. Sorry Folks its reality,
were
> > in tough times. Good luck to you all , if I can be of help feel free to
> > write or call.
> > P.S. to those chastising my grammer and spelling get over it, Weve read
> > yours and don't complain. God made me human, not perfect.
> > James T. Schulte
> > South Jersey Historian
> > 43 Nottingham Rd
> > Pennsville NJ 08070
> > 856-678-2230
> > "Making South Jersey History come to life"
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