Being a relatively recent MA Museum Studies graduate, I too also have
difficulting in pointing out what museums, curators and historic sites do
for the community.  I work at a small (very small) site on a figurative
island.  I work for a Conservation Authority and I am the only staff with a
historical and museum background.  The park I work at has been neglected by
the community for years due to various reasons.
To end my rant, and continue with the discussion;
Yes, I think mentoring is very necessary for new entrants into the field.  I
have been picking the brains of as many in the field as I know, and this and
other listservs are a great help, but there are so many little (with big
implications) things that I want to do the 'right way'.  Having just studied
'best practice' and now in the real world, the question of where do I
compromise or not hits me every day.  I need the confidence in many new
experiences to ensure that I don't do anything that some tutor at a Museum
Studies course puts up on the overhead as a 'wrong way' to do things.
A mentor would also allow me to ask basic, silly little questions without
fear of ridicule.  As most of you know, when you start at a museum you are
expected to know everything.  From the crop rotation of Norfolk farmers in
the 1850s to my grandmother has one of those, what is it? And how much is it
worth?

Dispite all of this, I still love my job, and wouldn't trade it in for
anything.

Clark Bernat
Curator
Backus Heritage Village
R.R. #1
Port Rowan,  ON  N0E 1M0
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www.lprca.on.ca

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