Michelle: When we hire curators we advertise the credentials we desire. One of those is research interest and experience in one of the areas of our collections, which we list in the advertisement. That is, we list the areas of our collections, and we expect applicants to tell us what interest AND experience they have in at least one of those areas. While we might hire an individual to do a specific job, we expect him/her to want to do research using our collection, and consider access to it a benefit of sorts. We don't often have the luxury of hiring someone just to do research, but we have contracted that sort of work for exhibits in the past. Another credential is a degree or one sort or another, depending on the position. If you are going into a history museum to be a history curator, one would expect you to have a history degree, and history collections research interests, and, possibly (probably?) experience. While I don't, as a rule, expect folks with BA degrees to have lots of research experience, many do. If you want to be competitive, you should get some experience in what ever area you choose to pursue. I hope this is helpful. I'd be glad to discuss this off-line if you want to ask further questions. Regards. Chris Dill - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - C. L. Dill, Museum Director State Historical Society of North Dakota 612 East Boulevard Bismarck ND 58505-0830 P: (701)328-2666 F: (701)328-3710 E: [log in to unmask] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >>> michelle marie jensen <[log in to unmask]> 08/28/96 04:33pm >>> I just saw a post about a conference that focused on the role of research in a museum. As a senior in college, and a museum employee, I have recently become interested in being a researcher at a museum. While I have been looking at grad schools, I have not seen any references to obtaining a degree that would help me acheive this goal through museum studies programs or any other discipline. Also, I have read the AAM's article about suggested qualifications, etc., for museum positions. They did not include anything about research either. Is this just a career that takes off after one obtains a degree in a specialized area of study (i.e. history, anthropology) and approaches a museum about job openings? Can any museum professionals out there help me find an answer to my question? Please email me or post to the group. I am interested in hearing many people's opinions! Thank you in advance! Michelle Jensen Manager, Discovery Room Museum of Natural History 438 Natural History Building 1301 West Green Street Urbana, IL 61801 **My views expressed above do not necessarily represent the views of my spouse, museum, or university** -- ------------------------------