John...OMG you are too much WOW hehe! I mean that in a good way, of
course!
Volunteering isn't for everybody. And with gas prices these days...among
other things.
There had to be a limit on how much time and effort that I am
able and willing to put in. Have to draw the line somewhere. It was hard, but I
finally learned how to say no on some things.
Some people really aren't in the position to volunteer. Being a
single-mother, I had to take great care that I knew where my time was best
spent. So I used to bring my son with me!
I'm not totally knocking volunteerism as you can tell - but there are a lot
of issues (there is a long-standing anti-volunteerism movement, but let's not go
there!) and I want others to be aware that there are or can be
issues when it comes to museum work. Mainly, you can work as hard as you
can but it doesn't mean that the museum is obligated to hire you, even if they
have a position available. If you are going to volunteer - have clear, realistic
goals for yourself and understand those of the organization the you are working
for.
Many museum's have guidelines for volunteers, people do volunteer work for
different reasons and museums recognize this.
BTW Whether you know it or not, you have described me to a 'T'! Except for
one or two things like raising millions of dollars! And with my luck, I would do
that and still be out of work! I've been in plenty of
'ditches', literally and figuratively. Right down through the glacial
till!
I love the museum work I am doing right now, though it's not
permanent, full-time work. Maybe I'll be able to get what I want some day, maybe
not. But I'll tell you, I did have plenty times where I had to rethink the
possibility of museum work. It occurred to me that perhaps it is just too
'exclusive' for someone like me (yeh, I'm a Red Sox fan hehe).
Apparently a lot of us have had some real lowly jobs. And there are others
now that have to do those jobs still! And what can we do? Chock it up to
experience, integrity, learn from it. I am also grateful
that I never had to work tobacco.
Pam
In a message dated 8/23/2005 10:01:00 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
Pamela,
Oh, what can we do about it I have often thought?
Where is that soap box?
Stand proud and support that war!
Support those higher gas prices, taxes and
hope and pray we have a
retirement.
Wasn't it Margaret Mead who said:
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed
citizens
can change the world. Indeed it is the only
thing that ever has."
Each of us are so bogged down with our own
personal agenda and what we
call life, we think change is impossible.
We are in the mind-set that "I, me alone....
a single person and
individual can do nothing to "change (this) world."
Side note: Museums
are on the front of bringing forth new thoughts, and are centers,
forums
of thought to educate the public. Maybe, this should be an
an
approach to exhibits, outreach programs, instead of belly-aching about
the
system *- do something about it. Get out into the forums of life *
and
change that system.
Yes, jobs are VERY
difficult to find in any field at one point or another, and
my
recommendations, as discussed by others, is to be as diversified as
you
can be. VOLUNTEER! Take those additional courses, seminars
and network!
Yes, Network * and don't forget *- to network.
Seek new challenges * GO WHERE NO MAN or WOMAN (or puppy with
a
cute wet nose) has not gone before! SEEK that DREAM!
Take the RISK!
DO it! Use that gray matter and be inventive! Work
that resume to its
peak! Climb every mountain, and seek ever means
possible to reach
your highest potential! Be all that you gotta'
be! And don't be to PROUD
to climb in a few ditches once in a
while.
During my life, I've packed dresses for $1.15 an hour,
worked as a bar tender,
drove a truck, worked in a warehouse, served in the
military for a war that
killed many of my friends in rice patties I did not
support, worked for large
companies (thinking there was security) and then
"downsized." I sought
higher education, though *- kept my chin
up! I volunteered at National
Sites, became involved in fund-raising,
worked special events, took seminars
on volunteerism, grant writing, public
relations. And when job changes
were facing me * I took it with
stride. Jumped the walls, and sometimes
even took jobs I did not
like.
There are so many possibilities for those who want
to work in museums......
by building yourself up to your highest peak, you
can fluctuate when bad times
come, and position yourself to fit into a new
job or a different challenge in life.
What I like about museum work is
the difference in career fields. What other
field offers this.
If you are in medical..that is about what your life is going to
be.
If you drive a truck, that is what it is going to be, or work in
construction,
serve bagels with cream cheese or flip burgers at
McD's. But, but...and more
but.....if you work in the museum
field.....you can work with exhibits, build
an educational program that
brings life and a smile to a young child. You can
feed fish, deer or
a rare species of life in a zoo. You can watch the birth
of a small
polar bear. You can dig up an ancient form of life, and work
with
people of different cultures. You can travel the
world. You can have satisfaction
that you gave someone a new
subject to think about. You can direct a museum,
serve on a
committee, network with city, state and federal officials. You
can
work with computers, database systems or sound amplification in an IMAC
show.
You can lead tours, work with volunteers, work with disabled
people. You can
build outreach programs. You can raise
money for a $1,000 traveling trunk
program or millions of dollars for a new
high tech museum.
That is why it is so important to develop
"more than one career" in museum
work * or any job, as suggested by others
in this group. It is a tough field,
but we like to do it.
We enjoy our work. The benefit are low, but there is
a sense of
satisfaction you cannot get working other jobs.
I've worked with
many great people...and if you have problems * seek a
center of friends
that can advise and help you. Obtain a GREAT group of
professional
people who can be your line of reference. KNOW what they
are going to
say about you. Let them KNOW about what you can offer
a potential
employer. Have people who represent you as a reference to
be positive
about YOU! They need to be people who SELL YOU! I've seen
and heard
of many references who do not know what a person can
offer an
employee. Provide them updates, talk with your reference and
notify
them of the jobs you are applying for.
Again, "a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can change the
world...." With your
volunteering, networking, your updated and always
increasing skills, and
your drive to get the job you want. YOU WILL! Stick
the
course.
OH, and learn how to save your money * so you can retire
early! And visit
all those museums out there in the world!
My
best,
John
Boise, ID