Our tiny museum staff really relies on interns and interns are invited
to craft a project that will benefit their own education, meet the
requirements of a specific class, or suit their own interests.

My interns have done oral histories as part of an exhibit project,
helped me better house and catalog our collections, worked to draft a
procedures manual and conducted photographic research for an exhibit.

In addition, I do ask interns to do some "dirty work." I have to do
it, too.


Denise Meringolo
Curator
Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington


"A. Nichelson" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>I am wondering about people's opinions of interns who come to museums for
>summer experience or more lengthy experience.  Do you feel that the work
>done by interns is more often the "dirty work" or do your museums truly
>offer staff level experience?  If the "dirty work" IS in fact being saved
>for interns, then how can we expect to increase interest in museum work?
>Shouldn't their experiences be similar to what they might encounter as a
>museum professional?
>Former or current interns AND musuem professionals please reply.