Gee, it hurts me to hear that the culture makes you think you needed to
"put your pride on hold" to be a secretary.  In many industries, it's
one of the all-time great entry level jobs.  To avoid the "lowly"
stereotype, many prefer the term "Assistant" (civil service titles not
withstanding).  In any case, I agree the desk is a place to get a
mentor.  You also get a broad range of exposure and have a chance to get
straight with your ego.  Also, in actuality, secretaries (or assistants)
RUN THE WORLD.  Make friends with us.  Respect us.  Or your call will
never go through.
:-)
Kate Long

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Christian Carr
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 11:23 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: help with smithsonian applications

Hello--as always, I've been following this particular museum employment
thread
with interest.  When I graduated from college about 10 years ago, there
was no
website where you could go to search for jobs at the Smithsonian--you
had to
call in (and the call was not toll-free) and wade through interminable
menus and
options read by the world's slowest talker to hear the details of jobs
that
might be suitable.  My average monthly phone bill my last semester of
college
was astronomical!

However, one day a lightbulb clicked on and I realized that the National
Gallery
of Art, though a federal institution, was not a Smithsonian entity.
They had
their own human resources department, and their own job line, which was
still
not toll-free, but infinitely easier to negotiate.  While going down the
roster
of entry-level jobs, a position as secretary for one of the curatorial
offices
came up.  I put my pride on hold, applied for the job, and spent two
years
working for a brilliant curator who still serves as a model scholar and
professional I try to emulate.  A lot of doors have opened as a result
of that
"lowly" job.  I guess that what I am trying to say, as many others have,
is that
willingness to start at the very bottom can help you eventually float
closer to
the top, even in the government bureaucracy.  Instead of focusing solely
on
"curator" jobs, be openminded as you look, and consider jobs that may
bring you
into contact with the curators and departments where you'd like to work.
There
may not be funds to hire the third museum technician, but someone has to
answer
the phones and open the mail.

All best, and good luck to all those currently seeking employment,
Christian Carr

Director, Sweet Briar Museum
Assistant Professor, Arts Management
Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, VA 

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