The discussion on museum, educators salaries is a pertinent one. I just completed my MA in Museum Studies and am facing the reality. I have the knowledge, the drive and enthusiasm but am shocked by the low salaries of the positions which I have been applying for. At present to continue and not let my skills get rusty I am volunteering. I just competed for a part time position and made it to the final cut, but the competition was fierce with no benefits and who knows how much job security or upward movement. Anyhow, I knew from the start that this would be a problem. I guess the quote which Michael McColgin cited about society valuing the skills and exciting ideas which we possess is true. The museum world is a wonderful environment to work in but it sure is difficult to break into the "golden gates" even with my credentials. (US and Abroad). I will keep striving for my goals although, I do believe museum's exist for a relevant social purpose and one which I respect and want to help develop to suit societie's needs and of course the collections requirements and importance. A Patient Museum Student Naomi On Fri, 12 Jan 1996, Michael McColgin wrote: > All of the comments about poor salaries reminds me of an essay by > an English prof I had many years. In one part he talked about that thought > so familiar to most of us: "If only we had the money to pay you what > you're really worth." Nonsense, he continued, society pays you exactly > what it thinks you're worth. :-{ > > Michael McColgin Phone: (602) 542- 4159 > Preservation Officer Fax: (602) 542- 4402 > Arizona State Archives Email: [log in to unmask] > 1700 West Washington Smoke Signal: 0 oo 000 o0o0 > Phoenix, AZ 85007 > > Conservators make it last longer.