I'm currently looking for work in museums, as a somewhat recent grad so I think I might be able to give some perspective. For 3 years I bounced from unpaid internship to unpaid internship at 4 different museums while finishing my master's. Then I spent a year working 2 part time positions at 2 different sites, getting around 60 hours a week at a whopping $9.00/hr. Today I'm just at 1 of the part time positions because my wife and I had a son and would rather spend time with him than send him to daycare. So full time at $10.00/hr would be an improvement. Now that my son is getting older, I'd be comfortable sending him to a good daycare or preschool. But that costs money, so I'm looking for a new opportunity again. Why would I accept working for so little? Well, a few reasons. First, I want to be in museums. I could make more money doing other things but I don't think I would be as happy. Second, there simply aren't many positions available. Third, and just as importantly, most positions available want you to have 5 or so years experience doing the exact job they are advertising for. Something that is hard to get. So I realise that as a young professional, I might have to take less money right now. How else will I compete with people just as qualified with way more experience? If I don't, and wait for the ideal job for ideal money, it might not ever happen. The big thing is that I hope someone takes a chance on me. Without decades of experience behind me, what else can I do? Kasey A. Johnson On Dec 14, 2012 1:41 PM, "Christa McCay" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > While it seems easy to lambast, I find that in today's economy at least > they are offering someone the chance to gain some experience. I will admit > when I first started less than a decade ago I was making that much per hour > and it has gone up a little but not much. It is discouraging but is > reality for that institution and for people getting their foot in the door. > It is better than going from unpaid internship to unpaid internship, which > is what many are doing right now. > > Just my thoughts. > > Christa > > Quoting Rosie Walsh <[log in to unmask]>: > > I thought the same thing, and I'm glad someone brought this up. This is >> EXTREMELY discouraging for recent grads with Masters who are aspiring a >> museum career. >> >> On Fri, Dec 14, 2012 at 12:43 PM, Nelson, Karen N. <[log in to unmask] >> >wrote: >> >> Quite a lot we do not know here...Size of museum, size of budget, >>> competition for jobs in area for starters. Perhaps they are hoping to >>> attract a retiree? >>> >>> >>> Karen N. Nelson >>> Chateau de Morès State Historic Site >>> P O Box 106 >>> Medora, ND 58645 >>> 701-623-4355 >>> Follow us on Facebook! >>> ------------------------------ >>> *From:* Museum discussion list [[log in to unmask]] on behalf >>> of Ann Nonymus [[log in to unmask]] >>> *Sent:* Friday, December 14, 2012 8:40 >>> *To:* [log in to unmask] >>> *Subject:* Re: [MUSEUM-L] MUSEUM-L Digest - 12 Dec 2012 to 13 Dec 2012 >>> (#2012-315) >>> >>> This might get me kicked off this list, but I am flabbergasted by that >>> job ad. A required master's degree, a detailed job description, and yet >>> the >>> pay is only $10 an hour with no mention of benefits (I'll eat crow if >>> there >>> are benefits), PLUS its only a one-year position? Seriously? I can work >>> at >>> Wal-Mart for better compensation (plus benefits!). What a joke. >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Dec 13, 2012 at 11:00 PM, MUSEUM-L automatic digest system < >>> [log in to unmask]> wrote: >>> >>> There are 2 messages totaling 664 lines in this issue. >>>> >>>> Topics of the day: >>>> >>>> 1. Art Gallery Receptionist position available through Thomas & >>>> Associates, >>>> Inc. >>>> 2. Archivist/Education Director Position Available >>>> >>>> ==============================**=========================== >>>> Important Subscriber Information: >>>> >>>> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at >>>> http://www.finalchapter.com/**museum-l-faq/<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). >>>> >>>> ------------------------------**------------------------------** >>>> ---------- >>>> >>>> Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:27:08 -0500 >>>> From: David Griffin <[log in to unmask]> >>>> Subject: Art Gallery Receptionist position available through Thomas & >>>> Associates, Inc. >>>> >>>> Receptionist, Contemporary Art Gallery, Chelsea, New York >>>> >>>> For our world-renowned contemporary art gallery client we are seeking a >>>> receptionist. The successful candidate will manage all walk-in >>>> inquires, >>>> confirm appointments, answer and transfer phones, manage and record >>>> incoming >>>> and outgoing correspondence and assist with all aspects of public and >>>> client >>>> interface. The ideal applicant will have at least 2 years' experience >>>> in >>>> a >>>> gallery or auction house in a receptionist capacity and excellent >>>> communications, organizational, multitasking and interpersonal skills. >>>> Broad >>>> knowledge of computer platforms, databases and tech-related details a >>>> must. >>>> Knowledge of the art industry and its key players is absolutely >>>> essential. A >>>> fantastic chance to gain experience working at one of the world's most >>>> significant contemporary art galleries and an excellent opportunity for >>>> a >>>> proactive, high-energy candidate who enjoys a high-visibility role in >>>> client >>>> and public interaction, thrives in a challenging environment and is >>>> willing >>>> and able to commit to the role. Salary 40K and benefits. Please send >>>> resume with detailed cover letter and contact information for at least >>>> three >>>> references as standard Word documents to [log in to unmask] >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Thomas & Associates, Inc. >>>> >>>> 6 East 39th Street >>>> >>>> New York, NY 10016 >>>> >>>> P. 212.779.7059 >>>> >>>> F. 212.779.7096 >>>> >>>> www.artstaffing.com >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> About Thomas & Associates, Inc. / artstaffing.com >>>> >>>> With offices in New York City and Chicago, Thomas & Associates, Inc. >>>> >>>> is an innovative firm that offers staffing, consulting, and professional >>>> >>>> development workshops for museums, galleries and arts and culture >>>> >>>> businesses nationwide and internationally. The company has recently >>>> >>>> launched its career services division to address the needs of arts and >>>> >>>> culture professionals everywhere. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> For employment opportunities and to subscribe to the quarterly >>>> >>>> newsletter, Art Career News, visit www.artstaffing.com. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> ==============================**=========================== >>>> Important Subscriber Information: >>>> >>>> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at >>>> http://www.finalchapter.com/**museum-l-faq/<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). >>>> >>>> ------------------------------ >>>> >>>> Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:21:15 -0600 >>>> From: Anna Bassford <[log in to unmask]**ORG<[log in to unmask]> >>>> > >>>> Subject: Archivist/Education Director Position Available >>>> >>>> Job Opening >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Temporary Position Available: Archivist/Education Director >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> The Fort Larned Historical Society, owner and operator of the Santa Fe >>>> Trail >>>> Center Museum/Library has an opening for the position of >>>> Archivist/Education >>>> Director. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Responsibilities: >>>> >>>> The Museum is seeking a full time Archivist/Education Director for a >>>> limited >>>> term one year . The Project Archivist will play an essential role in >>>> the >>>> digitization project. Duties include but are not limited to: >>>> >>>> . Processing and creating descriptive aids for backlogged and >>>> new >>>> archival donations. >>>> >>>> . Create an evaluation process to select archival materials to >>>> be >>>> digitized. >>>> >>>> . Participate in the scanning process and data entry of >>>> digitized >>>> archival materials (photographs, paper records etc.). >>>> >>>> . Provide guidance and supervision of volunteers involved in >>>> scanning archival materials. >>>> >>>> . Develop and presenting guided tours to scheduled groups >>>> >>>> . Recruit, train and schedule volunteers who also conduct tours >>>> through the museum. >>>> >>>> . Assist with the planning and installation of exhibits in the >>>> main >>>> galleries of the museum as well as the outside buildings. >>>> >>>> . Assist in researching and developing the interpretive text for >>>> the >>>> exhibits. >>>> >>>> . Cataloguing books in the museums research library >>>> >>>> . Assisting researchers >>>> >>>> . Completing research request both in person and through e-mail, >>>> or >>>> phone >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Museum and Community Information: >>>> >>>> The Santa Fe Trail Center is an American Association of Museums >>>> accredited >>>> history museum telling the story of the transportation route once known >>>> as >>>> the Santa Fe Trail. The exhibits show this freighting trail during its >>>> commercial days and through the time of settlement along the ruts of the >>>> old >>>> trail. The museum is located just outside the small rural community of >>>> Larned, Kansas, a town of 4,500. The museum is two miles from Larned >>>> and >>>> four miles from Fort Larned National Historic Site, operated by the >>>> National >>>> Park Service. Larned is 120 miles from Wichita, KS, 300 miles from >>>> Kansas >>>> City, MO and 400 miles from Denver, CO. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Education and Experience Requirements: >>>> >>>> A potential candidate should have a master's degree in Archival Studies, >>>> Museum Studies or related field from an accredited institution. An >>>> undergraduate degree in history with an emphasis in US Western history >>>> is >>>> preferred. Candidates need to demonstrate an understanding of archival >>>> management practices, have strong interpersonal skills, good >>>> verbal/written >>>> communication skills, and is self motivating. Experience with a >>>> collections >>>> management software database and familiarity in using photo imaging >>>> software, Microsoft Office applications and digitization experience is a >>>> plus. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Application information: >>>> >>>> This position is offered as a full time limited term position of one >>>> year >>>> at >>>> $10.00 an hour. Applicants should send a letter of interest, resume, >>>> and >>>> names and contact information for three references via U.S. mail or >>>> email >>>> to: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Anna Bassford, Director/Curator >>>> >>>> Santa Fe Trial Center >>>> >>>> 1349 K-156 Hwy >>>> >>>> Larned, KS 67550 >>>> >>>> [log in to unmask]**org <[log in to unmask]> >>>> >>>> (620) 285-2054 >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> ==============================**=========================== >>>> Important Subscriber Information: >>>> >>>> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at >>>> http://www.finalchapter.com/**museum-l-faq/<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). >>>> >>>> ------------------------------ >>>> >>>> End of MUSEUM-L Digest - 12 Dec 2012 to 13 Dec 2012 (#2012-315) >>>> ******************************************************************* >>>> >>>> >>> >>> ------------------------------ >>> >>> To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: >>> http://home.ease.lsoft.com/**scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=**MUSEUM-L&A=1<http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1> >>> >>> ------------------------------ >>> >>> To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: >>> http://home.ease.lsoft.com/**scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=**MUSEUM-L&A=1<http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1> >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> Rosie >> >> ==============================**=========================== >> Important Subscriber Information: >> >> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/** >> museum-l-faq/ <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/ <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).