As a veteran of four internships (HM Tower of London, National Museum
of Natural History, IMS and the National Park Service) I've had experience
doing both the "dirty work" and higher level work.  I think interns have to
be careful when selecting an internship site and supervisor.  Also, it is
important to make sure that internships projects are clearly spelled out
before the internship begins.  Generally I didn't mind doing some "dirty
work" since that is a part of life for all staff.  At the same time I didn't
appreciate if I felt I was being abused, especially when the institutions
were oftentimes receiving money from me!  Overall my internship
experiences were positive ones.  In fact my first internship as an
undergraduate in the armour department of HM Tower of London, where
I did both "dirty work" and higher level projects, was such an outstanding
experience that it had a direct influence on me choosing to pursue my
MA in Museum Studies.

Laura Mahoney
Office of Sponsored Projects
Smithsonian Institution

>>> "A. Nichelson" <[log in to unmask]> 04/08/97
11:12pm >>>
I am wondering about people's opinions of interns who come to
museums for
summer experience or more lengthy experience.  Do you feel that the
work
done by interns is more often the "dirty work" or do your museums truly
offer staff level experience?  If the "dirty work" IS in fact being saved
for interns, then how can we expect to increase interest in museum
work?
Shouldn't their experiences be similar to what they might encounter as a
museum professional?
Former or current interns AND musuem professionals please reply.