On Fri, 29 Jun 2001 17:24:54 -0500 Lori Allen <[log in to unmask]> writes: > > My frustration is that everyone wants education and experience, but > no one > will pay for either... Obviously, whomever hires me is going to get the > benefit of > hiring someone way over qualified and very dedicated. > > My goal in posting was to point out that there was frustration on > both > ends...possible employees and on those who need help... My time and my current > level of > experience are worth $9 / hour. Especially considering I could get > twice > that in the for-profit sector. > We can wax eloquent about our perception of the value of museums in other countries, cities, and states, but each of us has to decide what it is worth to her/him. Do not idealize the museum environment in other countries in your frustration. It is a travesty that many collections in Europe including now the former Soviet Union cannot afford proper security to keep their collections in tact against theft. The collections may have begun as the personal items of royalty or as the spoils of war, but many are not secure. Many of those items which we now consider "works of art" began their lives as the products of superbly trained artisans who worked for royalty while most people were working in agriculture. Lori, treasure the fact that your husband supports your interests. Perhaps you will be able to earn what you believe you are entitled to receive, or perhaps you may earn less to work at a job you enjoy. I have looked for work when I was told I was overqualified for the positions avaiable. Believe me that after working as hard as you have to get an education, it is no fun to learn you are "over-qualified." It was not until 20 years later that I attended my first meeting of the Texas Association of Museums, where I learned two of the universities in Texas had Museum Studies programs added since I got my MA in History. That was five months after my supportive husband had died. (He was a medical doctor and I was his office manager. Not my field of training.) Now I work for half of what I earned seven years ago, but I can walk to work when the battery dies in my 14 year old car. I have worked my way from being a member of the board and fulltime volunteer to convincing the board they need a full-time employee. I write grants, I post deposits, I handle collection and registrar matters, I answer visitor questions, and I love being able to spend my time learning more about our county's history and adding to our library and collections. And I send myself to TAM each year to improve my professionalism. (It was through TAM that I gained access to this list, thanks Katie.) It was but 200 years ago that some private citizens began to share their hodge podge collections with outsiders for a fee. Remember even our treasured Smithsonian was but a fledgling 150 years ago when a man from my county sent them weather reports. The NEH and the NEA are but 30 years old. We are growing and developing in our appreciation for the cultural aspects of life. 100 years ago my county was busily cutting out the virgin forest and growing cotton and corn. Those extension agents you disparage did believe it was a calling when they spent 80+ hours a week teaching people how to eat a balanced diet, can food for the winter, plow rows across a hill to save crops and soil, etc. As a result of their fine efforts, you sit in a big city wanting high wages to enjoy working at a recreational activity. Continue your crusade! Good luck to you. But please, quit doing it while walking over the bodies of those you consider in your way. It may be mine. Mary Kirby Historic Upshur Museum Gilmer, TX [log in to unmask] > ========================================================= > Important Subscriber Information: > > The Museum-L FAQ file is located at > http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed > information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail > message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message > should read "help" (without the quotes). > > If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail > message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message > should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). 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