Having a total of three different museum internship experiences, I can say that museum interns do receive tremendous exposure to the career. I have been very fortunate to be at three institutions that truly value their interns and offer them a wide range of opportunities. Of course interns do participate in "dirty work" because as most museum professionals know, "dirty work" comes with the territory. I have never been given a task that I didn't think my supervisor had to do at one time or another. I believe that internships are a great way to try out a career. I know that I am very happy with the experiences I have had through my internships. At 10:12 PM 4/8/97 -0500, you wrote: >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. > > ------------------------------------------------- Jennifer L. Pieters Monticello College Foundation Intern in Education Illinois State Museum Spring & Edwards Streets Springfield, IL 62704 (217) 782-5993 e-mail: [log in to unmask] -------------------------------------------------