Hi Garet,
I believe the best advice would be to do what you think interests you and serves your personal desires for your degree most. That will ultimately be the most beneficial thing for you and your long-term career. Neither option is going to help or hurt you more than the other in the general sense, even though some hiring professionals may prefer one path over another. I do not think there is a good way, nor is there a good reason, to try and predict that ahead of time.
I personally took the non-thesis (internship) option for my masters in Museum Science. There was the choice between a thesis and a paid internship. I took the internship(and report) option because I felt that the real experience would benefit me more than writing another research paper. I do not believe the choice hampered me in any way in my pursuit of my PhD, nor did it close any doors that would otherwise have been open to me.
Nonetheless, I do believe that making that choice has shaped my career. A thesis would have kept me on campus for another semester or two, in the museum and at the university, rather than out in the museum world. That would no doubt have redirected me in my choices for a first job, where to look, and what path I might like to take, in addition to the actual opportunities available to me when I was ready to enter the field.
Good luck.
Mark Janzen
Registrar/Collection Manager
Ulrich Museum of Art
Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection
316-978-5850
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Garet Bleddynn
Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 9:35 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Question for the Professionals
Good morning, everyone,
I have a question I wanted to fire off. I am a Master's Candidate at
MTSU. This past year, our program changed to allow a non-thesis option
for the Public History Grad Students. The thesis option is still
present as well. I know several of us have debated the pros and cons
of each. I am just wondering what you, our mentors, would say
regarding this choice.
If you went for a thesis, did it really shape your professional career?
If you went for a non-thesis program, do you felt that hindered you
professionally or if you chose to pursue a Ph.D. at some point?
Thanks for your time, and I hope everyone has a great day,
Garet
--
M. Garet Bleddynn
========================
It is the dim haze of mystery that adds enchantment to any pursuit.
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