You're so right.  People with advanced degrees, every single one, are 
tedious fuddy-duddys, incapable of communicating to the masses. They're 
so very boring.  I don't know why anyone would bother getting one, or 
why anyone would want to hire an egghead. 

David, seriously, do you need to trot out that old stereotype?  Did you 
really think I was suggesting that an advanced degree should trump every 
other consideration, including the ability to communicate?  Hardly. 

Look, ultimately, I think we're on the same page: the ideal curator or 
educator or collections specialist has training in the academic 
discipline related to the museum where s/he works AND has training or 
experience in museum work.  It gets tiresome when people dismiss 
academic training as irrelevant to work in a museum.  Without 
scholarship and research, you just have a pile of nice things collecting 
dust.  And I think you'll find that the people who do get satisfying 
work, do have multiple skill sets.  That, perhaps, is an answer to the 
original question of this thread: how does one get a job in a museum?  
Pick a field of study (science, anthropology, art, elementary education, 
history, etc.) AND ALSO acquire museum training and knowledge.  One of 
these is simply not enough. 



David Harvey wrote:
> Jill,
>
> I have to ever so politely disagree.
>
> Having been on both sides of this issue in my long career I have to
> say that just because you are an expert in any field of knowledge does
> not make you a natural or a good communicator or interpreter. There is
> a special skill set and innate talent for communicating with the
> public - whether it be as an interpreter, guide, or lecturer that many
> people do not possess. Sure, some of those skills can be taught but
> the natural ability and ease with people cannot.
>
> How many professional conferences have you been too where you have
> really, really been enthralled by an "expert" giving a paper or a
> lecture? I can count them on one hand - but those were among the most
> inspiring and motivating moments I have had the pleasure to
> experience.
 

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