I do not want to scare Norrie from the list or cause any offense, however, I would like to stress that Museum Studies degrees and certicate programs exist for a reason (they provide valuable training and help students get the skills that are absolutely necessary to become a competent museum worker).
While, there are other ways of getting experience (through volunteering and paid internships), I think we as a profession need to cheerlead our own academic standards. In my opinion, an advanced degree is not a valid reason for giving someone a job in the museum field (these jobs are scarce and low paid, we shouldn't be giving them away to people just because they have advanced degrees.
I would encourage Norrie to pursue some training, whether it's through a degree or a certificate program. Volunteering is valuable as are internships, but there's also ethics to debate with peers, the history of museums to learn, as well as useful information and skills to be gained concerning administration, conservation, curation, exhibit design, etc.
The field is changing... with funds for the arts decreasing, museum professionals like curators need to be able to do more than they have ever been asked to do before (note: Museum News., March/April 2001)!
Best of luck Norrie!
Jill Brush
B.A. Anthropology/ Museum Studies, Beloit College
M.A. Museum Studies and Historical Administration, University of Kansas
M.A. Socio-Cultural Anthropology, University of Kansas
Jill Brush
Curator
Kansas State Historical Society
6425 SW 6th Avenue
Topeka, Kansas 66615-1099
Phone: 785.272.8681 x 425
Fax: 785.272.8682
[log in to unmask]
>>> Norrie Epstein <[log in to unmask]> 04/24/01 01:19AM >>>
I'm new to the list and I hope most of you can put up with a question you've
probably heard many times.
How necessary is a certificate or a degree in Museum Studies when one already
has an advanced degree in a somewhat related area?
I have a Ph.D. in Victorian literature, taught at the university level for
seven years, and have written four books and edited several others. I'd like
to make a transition into museum work, but I'm not eager to become a student
again. The programs that grant certificates or degrees would surely provide
the necessary experience and training, but is there any other way to get it?
Would, for example, working as a volunteer count as professional experience?
I would appreciate any advice and suggestions.
Norrie Epstein
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