Elena wrote: >To rationalize the lack of stipend and cost of tuition for credit >received, I thought of internships as classes without textbooks or >exams. Yes, I put in a lot of time, but it was fun and satisfying and >REAL experience to put on a resume. While doing the graduate internship >(long-term), I also took other classes and worked full-time; not being a >traditional student, I also had family responsibilities of which to take >care. It was tough and tiring, but temporary. It was an investment in >myself. I agree- while in the Museum Studies grad program at Arizona State I completed 2 unpaid semester long (20 hrs per week) internships one year, worked full time and took additional courses. I am certainly not superwoman, so I have a hard time understanding where the complaints come from about unpaid internships as the required courses they are in grad school. We all just accepted it when we read the program description!! The world of academics and non-profits will never compensate in dollars as some other segments of sociey do. The value system is completely different. Yes, you have to pay to obtain a degree. You will have no free time and eat Top Ramen noodles every day. You will go into debt. So be it. Elena is right- it's an investment in yourself and from reading this thread I think perhaps an excellent weeding out process for those who can't handle a lifetime of service without large monetary reward. Sandra L. Harris Arizona State Capitol Museum Sandra L. Harris Arizona State Capitol Museum 1700 W. Washington Phoenix, AZ. 85007 (602) 542-4342 office (602) 542-4690 fax