We are a Smithsonian/Washington D.C. based organization but try to widely distribute calls for interns, including to museum-l, even if they are unpaid internships and/or aimed at students in a degree program.

 

There are a number of degree programs around the country, and we want to be equitable in offering internships to students who are not local, if they want to try to work it out logistically and with their university. Otherwise it gives the impression that one must attend a school in the D.C. area in order to intern here, which I don't think is the message we should be sending.

 

As a consequence, we have had many fine interns from a variety of universities around the country, including one excellent one from a community college in California.

 

While I understand the value of paid internships, and I think everyone in museums would love to offer only paid internships, I think this negative reaction from some on museum-l to the posting of announcements for unpaid internships from non-profit organizations can have a chilling effect on the posting of announcements, and thus make it harder for interested non-local interns to find placements.

 

 

 

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rachel Smith
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2013 1:37 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Fwd: [MUSEUM-L] Internship Postings

 

My response was based on the specific internship posting, not this theoretical discussion. The internship was intended for students in a degree program, which would mean they are looking for current students, and most likely in or near the DC area. 

 

Rachel Smith

Sent from my iPad


On Dec 18, 2013, at 4:34 AM, FrannMarie Jacinto <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Please forgive my response not being more direct - as if to Christian when it

is actually directed to Rachel.  For some reason I did not receive Rachel's original posting.

 

I am not a student, therefore your suggestion would remove me from the loop.  However, when appropriate internship opportunities (paid, or otherwise) and museum positions are posted to the listserv I, in turn, post them to the Southeastern Museums Conference Twitter feed (@SEMC2).  And, while there is understandable debate over the lack of remuneration offered to interns, I actively manage this social media account on a volunteer basis - 24/365, so to speak.  Any assistance by way of valuable information coming my way is greatly appreciated, and serves the museum community in twelve states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

 

When an internship opportunity in the District of Columbia presents itself it is a plum worthy of broad and rich competition.

 

Best,

FrannMarie Jacinto

 


On Dec 18, 2013, at 1:42 AM, adelheid straten <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

I would not go that far, because any posting of free positions on the list is great. But things would be easier to handle if critical responses would not refer to "Internship postings" (because this is misleading)  but f.e. to "criticism on unpaid internships" . And, as there will be unpaid and paid internship offers for a while: Why not offer PAID internships as such in the ref line?

Christian

Am 18.12.2013 00:25, schrieb Rachel Smith:

One small way to avoid these critical responses on unpaid internships might be to be more targeted in your advertising. By that I mean contact students and degree programs in DC directly, not the entire Museum listserv.

 

Rachel Smith


Sent from my iPad

 

 


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