My internship came about as a result of a newspaper article! I had to do a
project for my Historic Preservation class, and saw an article in the
Sunday paper about a topic that looked interesting. I contacted the person
who had been featured in the article, and developed a relationship with her
as I worked on my project. When she needed an intern that summer, she
offered the position to me -- with pay! Just goes to show that there are
definitely options beyond those that are posted and advertised, though it
may take some work and a little luck to find them.

Meg Ehr
Curator
Outagamie Museum and Houdini Historical Center
330 E. College Ave.
Appleton, WI  54911
(920) 735-9370


-----Original Message-----
From:   Len Hambleton [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Friday, January 09, 1998 1:04 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: Internships

I often see a general requests on the Museum List for internships . The
writer asks for anything in the museum field and lists some cities
theyd' like to work in.
I was taught when looking for my internship in  Conservation and Museum
Administration to fire "rifle shots" not "shotgun blasts".
I am suggesting that to be successful, the prospective intern should
research the area they are interested in ,talk to someone in such a
position that ultimately they would like to be in as a career . Ask what
it took to get there.
Then use the AAM (American Association of Museums Directory ,which lists
museums in each state or a directory of a specific country ,create a
computer database with mail merge facilities and target the intended
museum and contact by name. Call the museum and find out who is in the
possible supervisory position for an internship and write them with a
copy of current resume and skills they bring to the internship if there
were one. Express what you'd like to learn from your internship, that
you will so generously give to the host institution who know the value a
keen intern can be .
This really shows the potential supervisor that you are serious and he
or she may  respond perhaps positively. Like the hidden job market I
personally feel that many of us would welcome interns who were focussed
to see if they would fit our intended plans to make it a mutually
rewarding experience.
There have been many discussions last year on this list about
internships. New students to museology are not always made aware of how
to find an internship.
There is a softcovered book out the title of which I do not have here to
quote accurately  and think it is called "Getting the most from your
internship(orange cover) .I started there when seeking mine. My college
suggested when I was still wet behind the ears that they would find me
one. As a mature student I sat down and scratched a dream list of
favorite museums and in what cities I would like to live for 8 months-it
may as well be fun ,because after work hours you are on your own! Start
looking 1 -2 years before your courses end;nothing like lead time on
your side.
So I would like to see requests on this list that are specific on what
you are looking for .Is it a conservation internship. a museum admin .,
one ,graphic design,design techie?
The you may just be surprised by a reply from a reader on this same list
who just happened to have such an internship in mind at their buy
institution.
Good luck and good hunting!

Len Hambleton - Objects Conservator
North Carolina Museum of History
5 East Edenton Street
Raleigh NC. 27601-1011
[log in to unmask]
919-715-0200 x244
"Information in the spirit of sharing,catch the wave!"

Opinions expressed in this message may not represent the policy of my
agency

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jessica Harris [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Friday, January 09, 1998 12:25 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Internships
>
> I would like some information on ANY KIND of museum internships,
> particularly in Dallas, Chicago or Knoxville.  Can anyone help me?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jessica Harris