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Date: | Thu, 4 Nov 1999 16:32:32 EDT |
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I wonder if this whole concept of volunteering to get a foot up in
this business is a largely (North) American phenomenon? When I was
studying in Britain, part of my course was a two month work
experience. Volunteer, unpaid work - so basically, our entire class
of trained museum (almost) professionals were offering to work for
free. I would say at least a third of the class had a very hard
time finding a position at a museum of their choosing - and it wasn't
because we were all looking in the same place. This was a
country-wide search for most people. One of my
fellow students on the course was German, and he said that in
Germany, volunteering is unheard of as a means to gain job
experience.
I bring up these points to add a new dimension to this discussion -
is this an American phenomenon? Why is this? Comments? I'd also be
interested in hearing from any British museum people out there as to
why it's so hard to volunteer there.
I personally am one who benefited greatly from all my volunteer
experiences. Would it have been better if I'd been paid to be there?
Certainly, but I knew coming into the field that volunteering was
the way to get ahead, and it has definitely helped me.
***************************
Jennifer Gayman
Collections Manager
University of Maryland
School of Nursing Exhibition Project
(410) 706-6635
All opinions are mine.
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