To add my two cents, I agree with Deb; yes, I've got an M.A., and I'm proud
of the work I put in to get that degree, but most of what I've really
learned about museum operations and day-to-day work has been learned through
experience.  If I wanted to move on, my experience would carry far more
weight than my degree, though I think the degree is important, as well.
However, no classroom can ever prepare you to drive historic automobiles, or
operate antique machinery, or all the myriad and sometimes odd things we
have to do in a museum!

So go after those degrees, but also try to gain as much practical experience
as possible.  I lucked out by doing several internships, all which gave me
hands-on experience, and that definitely helped land me a job.

And I didn't subsist on Ramen noodles, either.  I preferred Mac & Cheese.



Christopher J. Dawson
Curator of Urban and Industrial History
Crawford Museum of Transportation and Industry Design Task Force
Western Reserve Historical Society
10825 East Boulevard
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
216-721-5722 x247
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"History repeats itself; historians repeat each other." -- Philip Guedalla

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