There are minefields... in a couple of instances where I thought to ask about the possibility of getting a toe in the door and <moving up>, I was told (a) that institution had a policy of *not* hiring people who'd volunteered, and of *not* <moving> new hires (even if very well qualified) for at least 6 months. and (b) another institution didn't have a formal policy, but thought it silly to hire someone who was willing to work for free; when a paying position opened up, they looked outside so they could have -two- "employees" for the "same money." --Bayla [log in to unmask]