[log in to unmask] wrote:
>
> In a message dated 96-11-25 14:48:48 EST, John Handley writes:
>
> >
> >      Dear Robin Panza:
> >
> >      I am sorry to belabor my point, but please hear me on this
> >      important issue:  When I write about the importance of better
> >      salaries and benefits in the museum field, I am *not* stating that
> >      we (the professionals) should push to get rich.  Getting rich has
> >      never been the point of this discussion regarding salaries and
> >      benefits in the field.
> >
> >      Once again I ask:  Why do we as professionals see such things as
> >      medical coverage as an added benefit?  What other profession
> >      out there does this philosophy transfer to?  Teachers?  Plumbers?
> >      Accountants?  Why are so many museum professionals
> >      unwilling to say that they are worth a good salary and
> >      benefits?
> >
> >      John Handley
> >      San Francisco
> >
> >
> Three cheers for you John!  My sentiments exactly!  Since I was eight years
> old, I have wanted to be an archaeologist.  I went into the field of
> archaeology because I love archaeology, not because I thought I would ever
> get rich.  I don't want to be rich, just be able to pay mortgage and
> contribute to my 401K.  It seems that we are ever underpaid and undervalued.
>  I've even been so underpaid that I have done archaeology for free just to do
> what I love.

I hope I'm not stated points that have already been discussed.
Luckily we live in a democracy.  We have the opportunity to choose
where we want to work, what field to work in, who we work for, etc.
There are no guarantees to success, but we as individuals can improve
our chances of success by our own actions.  Salaries and benefits in
any industry, I believe, comes down to supply and demand.  If everyone
in the museum industry refused to take a job that didn't offer
benefits, then supply would be low and they would have to offer
benefits to fill the position.  However, many, many people want to be
archeologists, museum artists, curators... and are willing to work at
jobs they love for the pay that is offered, but they had the choice of
being an accountant, plumber...  Many people would like to work at
what they love, but can't afford to.  If you don't like where you
work you have the freedom to work somewhere else.

Betty Brennan