>Is it a truism or not- would those of you in the field
>give preference to hiring someone with a museum studies degree over another,
>even if the person w/o the museum degree, had great experience?  Why or why
>not?
>I'd love to know.
>Allison
>                                Allison Smith
>                        University of Wisconsin Madison
>                   School of Library and Information Studies
>                            [log in to unmask]
 
Allison,
I am not sure what type of museum work you are looking for, but having read
a several messages in the past couple of days about job possibilities, I
felt compelled to reply to your request.
 
I run a department that develops, designs and evaluates exhibitions.
Certainly, exhibitions are not the only thing a museum does, but they are a
major focus of activity (especially for visitors).
 
My staff currently includes four developer/designers, an exhibit evaluator,
a software developer, a film/video developer, two assistant
designers/draftspeople, an editor, and a secretary. (Hopefully I haven't
forgotten anyone.) I am about to hire a scientist to help develop a project
(for a specific term). That person will have either a MS or PhD in biology
of some type (there are a few finalists).
 
With the exception of our exhibit evaluator, none of my staff have academic
training in 'museum studies'. They do have academic training in their areas
of expertise.
 
I guess this is relevant to your question. If you can get academic training
in the area of museum work that interests you, you probably should consider
it. That may or may not mean one of the 'museum studies' programs. I would
think, for example, that the study of art history would be considered
valuable for collections management jobs. So might the study of art
conservation.
 
I think volunteering in a museum is a good way to get to know what museum
work is like, but I would guess that volunteer positions do not lead to
full time employment in most larger institutions. It might, however, clue
someone in to general possibilities, and enable them to recognize one when
it pops up (wherever that is.)
 
Entry level jobs are precisely that. If an entry level person proves
valuable, supervisors would be less than wise not to promote that
individual. If new responsibilities arise, the competent person will
(often, not always) get them. But in some sense, depending upon your career
interests, every position is an entry into another. Even if it is not at
the same place.
 
Since you are obviously keenly interested in museum work, I hope you will
persevere.
 
good luck
Kevin
 
Kevin Coffee
Manager of Exhibitions
American Museum of Natural History
[log in to unmask]