I say minimize your debt. Remember salaries aren't exactly stellar in the
museum field.
No matter where you go to school, you can maximize your experiences and
connections through your own initiative. And you've already figured out a
network through this listserv. Likely work/intern experience at a
recognizable institution is going to stand out more than where you got your
degree from in our field, that's my opinion anyway.
Best wishes for a successful career.
Janice Monger
Manager of Administration
& Visitor Services
Brooklyn Historical Society
128 Pierrepont Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-222-4111 x225
718-222-3794 fax
[log in to unmask]
www.brooklynhistory.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Tracie Evans
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 10:35 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] prestige vs. pragmatism
I have never found that prestige is a deciding factor in a hiring decision.
Remember, Just because the school is prestigious does not mean that the
museum studies program is prestigious.
Instead, look at the program itself. What kinds of courses do they offer?
Who teaches the courses? Are the courses mostly academic, hands-on, or a
combination? What are the requirements for degree completion? What
connections do they or the program have in the museum community?
You may also want to evaluate the museums in the area around the school.
Does the program seem to have relationships with the local museums? Do they
offer ways or support to help you gain practical experience? Do they
require internships?
All museum studies programs are not the same. Does the program focus on
history, natural history, or art? Is that your interest? Are the professors
focused on one "skill" such as education, interpretation or collections more
than a wide range of skills? Does this match up with your interests?
Review the types of thesis's or projects currently or recently finished, do
they seem to focus on one area? This can often show you if the professors
are focused in one area or not.
And also, ask to talk to some fellow graduate students or alumni. I'm sorry
to say that not all programs present themselves fully or clearly. They may
say they focus on all areas, but do they really? Did the student feel they
got the skills needed?
Hope this helps.
Tracie
Tracie Evans
Curator of Collections
Sauder Village
22611 St. Rt. 2
Archbold OH 43502
Phone: 419/446-2541
FAX: 419/445-5251
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Christina Garretson
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 12:47 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] prestige vs. pragmatism
Hi listers,
I'm getting ready to go to grad school for museum studies, and I'm
wondering, does a big-name grad program pay off in the museum field? I'm
very close to what I understand is a strong (but not big-name) program, so
there's certainly some pragmatic incentive to go there. I'm also looking
into schools like George Washington, Oxford, Columbia, etc., but the cost
and logistics involved are difficult if not prohibitive. I did a very
expensive undergrad degree for the sake of the program's ranking, and I
don't want to do that again unless I'm sure it's worthwhile. So now I'm
wondering to what degree (if any), a bigger-name grad program could open
doors for me that a smaller-name program couldn't.
So, my question is to you, how helpful to your museum career is the
prestige of your grad program? Is it worth the expense?
Any thoughts much appreciated!
Best,
-Christina
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