This state of affairs is rather depressing when entry level jobs in museums
consist of what Mr. Weeks has described.  I would say that the biggest
favor any entry level job candidate could do for him/herself would be to
network like crazy when you are interning, volunteering.  Keep the antenna
up at all times for possible opportunities.  Be flexible, enthusiastic, and
willing to work hard.  Take the initiative and present yourself to a
prospective employer as the problem-solver for their organization.   The
fact is, is that sending out resumes and waiting for a response is not
going to work.

I hope prospective employers out there are looking hard at enthusiastic new
grads/talent.  My first "real" job was as an assistant curator- while I was
still in graduate school.  My boss at the time took a chance on me and it
worked out great.  He didn't have to pay a fortune (although he offered a
fair, livable entry level salary), and I was thrilled.  I did a lot of
xeroxing, but that was par for the course. Needless to say, I hate to see
newly minted museum folks feel like all they can find are the bottom of the
barrel jobs.

Arlyn Danielson
----------
From:   Ross Weeks Jr.[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Wednesday, June 17, 1998 10:35 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: What would YOU call an entry level job?

-----Original Message-----
From: J./B. Moore <[log in to unmask]>
[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 1998 9:15 PM
Subject: What would YOU call an entry level job? (was SEEKING AN ENTRY
LEVEL
JOB)


<snip>

>Just out of curiosity, what would you term an "entry level job?"


A front desk receptionist, file clerk, custodial worker, clerk-typist --
these are the most readily available "entry level jobs" in the museum
field.
The Education Assistant, etc. jobs are true "professional" entry-level
openings, but there are obviously far more applicants than actual openings.

A graduate-degreed historian was willing to take a clerical job, in one
instance I was involved in, just to get in the door.   After five years,
just the right opening was created at this institution, and she was the
most
well qualified.  And she's well satisfied 15 years after starting as a file
clerk.