I wasn't going to go into this one because I've already ranted enough
about it, the wages side of it.  However, as we do become more
professionalized, and as all the arguments put forth seem to be that a
higher degree is needed, whether a PhD or a Masters degree, then it
follows that we are no longer willing to work for peanuts.  We're just
going to have to learn how to negotiate for higher salaries.  No matter
how bitter the salary discussion, or hopefully friendly, we need to
assert ourselves and tell the boss that we are valuable in our work, and
should get paid accordingly.  I am always being told that the longer I
stay at one place, the less chances for higher earnings will come my way.
 It means that every so often you cut the cord that ties you to your
"corporation" and go on to seek a higher paying salary.  Okay, so it
means you have to move, get used to another environment, but hey, you've
got a better paying job, full time with benefits!!  And on it goes.  If
you are happy where you are, then don't complain.  But if you can fix it,
then try for that higher salary, and if it doesn't work out, look
elsewhere.  Why would you want to work at a place where you are not
respected and valued?  In this country, we workers are seen as
commodities.  You may as well trade on your knowledge and experience, and
get paid for what you know.  There is no magic wand out there that's
going to fix the salary problems we face, but we need to take a little
courage (from when we trudged through the snow to graduate school), and
see if we can't have the boss give us better increases.  If he/she
doesn't, you know they are doomed to hiring someone else when you take
off for your new and improved job.  Sadly, no one ever taught us to
negotiate our salaries while in college nor grad school, and for what I
have seen, government jobs now pay better than the private sector, even
paying bonuses, compensation time and an adjusted increment that comes
annually!  Only a good network or a friend can get you into one of those
jobs.  Still, there are good jobs out there, just keep your eyes peeled
and follow the advice given, if working in a museum is what you want,
then never give up (sorry to sound Nixonian, but thre it is).

O
Olivia S. Anastasiadis, Curator
Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace
-mail:  [log in to unmask]

On Wed, 18 Nov 1998 07:33:50 -0700 "Bartlema, Lauri, L."
<[log in to unmask]> writes:
>Educational requirements ARE ratcheting higher and higher, but not
>just
>in the Museum-job world.  It's popping up everywhere.  My mother is a
>nurse, and has been a nurse for many years.  She has a Bachelors in
>nursing.  She has worked for the same city institution for YEARS, yet
>they have just decided that they will no longer hire any nurses that
>do
>not have a Masters in nursing. And that all their current nurses must
>earn a Masters, in their own copious spare time, by the year 2002, or
>they will be let go.  This is one instance where experience matters
>not
>a bit.
>
>I personally think that in a society where more and more people are
>going straight to college after high school, there has been created a
>pool of "higher educated" people for companies to choose from.  Since
>more and more people are getting more education, the
>companies/institutions can and have raised their expectations as far
>as
>the requirements of entry level and higher positions are concerned.
>What most haven't raised is their salary rate.  I agree with the
>people
>who have stated that as long as there are people who are willing to
>work
>for the ridiculously low wages, then the wages will not go up, at
>least
>not until the Federal Govt forces them up with an increase in minimum
>wage. In my opinion, this goes on the list of "sad but true" things.
>
>
>Lauri L. Bartlema
>Curatorial Assistant
>Conservation Division
>Directorate of Environment
>Fort Bliss, Texas
>
>> ----------
>> From:         E.J. Karetny[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
>> Reply To:     Museum discussion list
>> Sent:         Tuesday, November 17, 1998 4:21 PM
>> To:   [log in to unmask]
>> Subject:      Re: experience
>>
>> ok, say you have a master's but not in museum studies and youre
>> looking
>> for work in natural history, say collections.  you have a little
>> experience as a curatorial assistant.  is this "enough" experience
>(at
>> the very very least shows experience and interest or something...)?
>> would you benefit from yet another academic debt with a master in
>> museum
>> studies?  when everyone ends up with this degre, what will they
>demand
>> of you next?
>> this is not meant to sound bitter but i'm just getting the feeling
>> that
>> the educational requirements are ratcheting higher and higher.
>>
>> looking forward to responses, ejk
>>
>

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