It seems that one of the problems in this discussion is that every person is ultimately interested in self-advancement. Those with PhDs find PhDs essential, those with MBAs find MBAs the key to museum success, those with BAs think that a BA is not a stepping stone but a final achievement level. I think people need to accept that everyone has a different level of education, experience, and ability. To Donna, I'm sure you are intelligent, talented, qualified, whatever...but you ask "Don't I deserve to work in my chosen [field] in the mean time?" My answer is "No". Why do you feel something is owed to you? I just don't understand this attitude. Also, making an advanced degree out to be purely a financial issue is silly. Many people I know are put through degree programs by their employers, earn scholarships, and/or work while in school. It is more a matter of hard work than luck. You talk about people who play the academic game, but perhaps instead of criticizing, you might see what you could learn from them- you may find that you can go back to school afterall if grants and fellowships pay the way. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to "break into" the museum field, but there seems to be a pervasive attitude that it is wholly unfair and completely unfounded that salaries are low, positions are few, and a good education is a prerequisite. My opinion is that the best approach is not bitter and defeatist, but positive and focused. Noone OWES anyone a job, it is up to the job-seeker to market him or herself to the best of his or her ability. If you do this well, you can persuade the museum that they need you, and once they think they need you, they will find a place for you. As to the requirement for an advanced degree to get a job paying $25,000/year, so long as someone is willing to take these jobs, the salaries will not change.