Kelly- Here is my experience. Five years ago, I graduated with a BA in Art History and Studio Art and landed my present job through another institution I was working for as a temporary Curatorial Assistant. I landed the temp. job because I had interned/volunteered there the summer before. Depending on the position you desire, many require a MA plus experience and, in my experience, do not pay very well. I found this fact rather frustrating and something you might consider if you are paying for your MA/PhD out of pocket. One of the reasons I was not considered as a permanent Curatorial Assistant was due to the fact I did not have a Masters. Someday, though I would like to go and get my Masters. It sounds as though I have chosen my career with only dollar signs in mind, which is not it at all. Working for a non-for-profit as I know many of you do, you do it because you love what you do, not how much you get paid. Although I wouldn't turn down a raise!! So, for me it was my willingness to volunteer, and my connections made through volunteering that "got me where I am today." --Shannon from generation to generation The History Center in Tompkins County Shannon Lindridge, Collections Manager 401 East State Street, Suite 100, Ithaca, NY 14850 607.273.8284 ext.7 (FAX) 607.273.6107 www.TheHistoryCenter.net <http://www.thehistorycenter.net/> Please note my new email address: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> -----Original Message----- From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Kelly Shipman Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 2:38 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Employment! Hello there, Well I have a question about obtaining employment at art museums. Is it possible?? I just graduated with a BA in Art History, and I have internship and administrative experience. It just seems extraordinarily competitive out there, I'm wondering if I just need to do some more unpaid work first before I can get a paying job. Does anyone have any advice for me? Thanks, Kelly J. Shipman 610.405.7624 ========================================================= 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). ========================================================= 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).