I'd like a director or another board member to weigh in, just to put into
perspective the real monies involved in caring for museum institutions,
because this this thread is getting a little too personal. I believe that
even though I want to make the big bucks like Michael Eisner at Disney does,
it's just not realistic, given the field that I am in.  I've always
supported myself with my museum job, based on a good solid foundation.
Whining never got me anywhere, even with friends and those who would
consider hiring me.  I did not know anyone in the museum field when I first
applied for a job, and I never used my contacts to get a job.  That being
said, the US government pours billions of dollars into education, and a lot
of those funds go to museums.  Aside from corporate and private donors, who
do you think pays for the Smithsonian and NARA payroll!  I may be out of
line here, and I really appreciate hearing from someone who is having a
tough time but you've got to perservere in your career choice.  That's how
you get ahead.

I care about people who want to do a good job and earn decent wages; I also
understand when someone leaves this museum for a better paying job at
another museum.  That's the way it is, and no amount of idealism will change
it.  We don't flunk around here; if we really want it, we go get it, sweat
and all.  EVERYONE tried to talk me out of museum work.  It didn't happen.
My part-timer left her curatorial assistant position to become a
kindergarten teacher.  At her very first job, she is being paid three times
the amount of what I began earning when I first began museum work.  I don't
resent it.  Dear Lori, good luck in your studies, and hopefully your
attitude will become more moderate, as many people read these things that we
write, and they remember who we are when it comes time to hire.

O
Olivia S. Anastasiadis, Curator
Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace
18001 Yorba Linda Boulevard
Yorba Linda, CA  92886
(714) 993-5075 ext. 224; fax (714) 528-0544






----- Original Message -----
From: "Lori Allen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2001 5:12 PM
Subject: Re: FW: Summer staffing dilemma


> No, I didn't flunk.  You did.  Did you ever think that it was not right
you
> had to sell your soul to corporate America until you could afford to do
what
> you like?  Did you ever think that maybe you should work to change that so
> that future generations don't have to do what you did?
>
> I spent ten years working or volunteering in museums while working full
> time.  I have started my grad degree because I know the one with the most
> education wins.  I had excellent advisement....EVERYONE tried to talk me
out
> of museum work including the director of my graduate program.  my friends
> and family said it had no return on investment (education $ vs. salary $).
>
> Teachers used to have such low pay that only women went into the field
> because they could afford it only if their husbands made lots of money.
> They got it changed.  Starting teachers make $30K a year.  If they can do
> it, so can museums.  We are providing a service, just like those nice
folks
> in green aprons.  If we teach society, obviously starting with those in
our
> own profession, that our service is valuable, then the same people who pay
> $3 for coffee and $25M on airplanes to spy on China will also pay decent
> salaries to museum professionals because they want us to keep doing what
we
> do.
>
> Lori Allen
> Graduate Student,
> UMSL
>
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