Regarding this survey, what do you mean when you say "gap?" Experience?
Skills? Knowledge? In my opinion, there will always be a gap of sorts
between newly minted museum professionals and their more experienced and
seasoned colleagues in the field. That's the way it is anywhere.
Generally, you start out at the bottom and work your way up the ladder
as you gain experience. I do think it is better to have a graduate
degree when applying for a museum position, but an MA is not the final
arbiter of quality, professionalism or skills. Solid relevant
experience (sans MA) is also quite impressive and shouldn't stop
employers from considering a prospective candidate for a museum
position.
Being a member of a professional museum association shows interest and
concern for the museum profession, but it is not a foolproof tool in
hiring.
Being an intern with a particular museum may very well help your
employment prospects there, but it is no guarantee.
Also, there is the graduate museum studies world with its' high ideals,
standards and theories (a good thing), and then there is reality in the
museum world. These two don't always meet up! Most of the time they
do, sometimes they don't.
Arlyn Danielson
-----Original Message-----
From: Alison Miller [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 12:54 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Museum Survey (Museum-L)
Hello!
I am a graduate student in museum studies at the University of Kansas.
A friend and I are currently working on a paper addressing the 'gap'
between museum students and the professional community, and how to best
close this 'gap'. We are surveying students, as well as employers.
Please fill out the following survey from your perspective as an
employer. Feel free to forward this survey to others who may be
interested. We are very appreciative of your help, if you have any
questions about our research, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Thank you for your time!
Alison Miller
[log in to unmask]
Please return survey to:
Alison Miller: E-mail: [log in to unmask]; work-
[log in to unmask]
OR
Laura Vannorsdel: E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Employer Survey
1. Please list what you feel are the top three experiences or
skills for museum studies students to have before applying for their
first job.
2.Do you have interns at your institution?
Are they paid positions?
3.When hiring a new employee, do you give preference to former
volunteers or interns?
Do you give preference to those who have previous volunteer or intern
experience at other museums?
4.Does it make a difference if a job applicant is a member of a
professional organization?
What (if anything) makes members of professional organizations more
attractive?
Do you prefer an applicant who has participated in a professional
organization over a purely dues-paying member?
5.To what degree does it matter if a job applicant has published
scholarly work?
6.Have you participated in an organized mentoring program?
Do you feel that you have been a mentor to a new professional?
Did you have a mentor, and how did they help you?
7.What do you feel are the best methods for bridging the gap between
students and the established museum community?
Completion of this survey indicates your willingness to participate in
this project.
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