I'm sorry to re-post this a week or so after the original posting, but
     my e-mails to MUSEUM-L have not been going through...

     I've been trying for a couple of years now to get a job at my local
     history museum.  After never even getting an interview for the last
     couple of job openings, I figured that I should volunteer to get my
     foot in the door for the next job opening.  I sent a cover letter and
     resume to the museum describing my skills, interests and availability.
     Just for the record, I got my M.A. in museum studies a couple years
     ago and have several internships under my belt working with a wide
     variety of museum collections.  I got a letter back informing me that
     all volunteers at the museum worked in the gift shop or at the
     reception desk. I work full time and have little free time.  Since I
     haven't been fortunate enough to get a job as a registrar/collections
     manager, my whole purpose in wanting to volunteer was to get more
     hands-on experience.  Working a cash register is NOT going to get me
     that experience!

     Anyway. before I start looking for volunteer opportunities at other
     institutions, I'd love to know from those of you who recruit or work
     with volunteers if I should expect this type of response.  If a
     potential volunteer has special skills and interests do you take this
     into consideration when placing them within your institutions?  I'd
     like to think that some institution out there would want someone
     skilled to work at their institution for free!

     Laura McMann Mahoney
     Archeology & Ethnography Program
     National Park Service
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