Greetings and best wishes to everyone who is beginning to search for an entering position at a museum somewhere. The semi-annual "resume posting" queries have begun. There has already been an extended interchange over the value of a graduate degree in obtaining work at a museum somewhere. Time for those of us out in the boondocks to roll out the red carpet once again! The problem is, we can't afford new carpet.

I repeat: "at a museum somewhere," which I translate to mean the District of Columbia, New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and metropolitan areas in between, even in Texas.

The small town and rural museums ought to band together and buy classified ads that read: "Hundreds of Museum Jobs Available RIGHT NOW-- Call 1-888-7-MUSEUM for information." Kind of like the ads for "jobs" with the Postal Service or addressing mail at home. The difference is that these museum jobs are for real.

To those in charge of university-level museum curricula: Isn't there SOME professional responsibility to acquaint everyone with your basic grassroots American museums? The ones started years ago by volunteers, who are now looking for someone to take charge? The ones that simply don't have the people with the time to sort through the applications and resumes that an ad in AVISO might generate? The ones who are looking for a gutsy risk-taker to keep a fine regional museum from shutting its doors forever?

To those starting their job search: One way is to pick a multi-state region of the United States that seems attractive to you. Then spend some time in the smaller communities in that region. Check out the old A&P store that's been turned into a beautiful historical and art museum. Visit the art galleries at the small private colleges. Check out the resort areas, whose museums survive because they attract the tourists. At every stop, make yourself known (not for shy types!)

If a job is there, pursue it. Spend a couple of weeks getting to know the local powers-that-be...sell yourself. Make that job your springboard to a distinguished career in your field -- start building that old resume. Degrees? The local folks won't be impressed with those credentials: they will be impressed with what you know, how adaptable you are, and how purposeful you are.