So much of what we do in the public history field, especially in these economic times, depends on the diligent work of interns and student volunteers. Dedicated young-folks have been willing to offer their time and energy to us in exchange for the opportunity to fill their one page resumes with the multi-layered and thrilling experience of working at a museum. As the summer ends, I am reluctant to say goodbye to the small army of industrious interns who have been helping us to complete pivotal tasks these past few months. I would like to take this opportunity to say a very public thank you to all interns past and present who have contributed to the livelihood of museums across the country. We could not do it without you. Pat yourself on the back. Your unpaid labor makes the world a better place.
Humble interns, to aid you in your journey into the real world, my gift to you is the half-funny cautionary tale that follows. Last week I sat in on an interview with a recent graduate from a local university who is looking to get involved in a project at the museum where I work. During the preliminary questioning, the young woman said, “I am available to come in five days a week,” which obviously struck our ears as great news, but she wasn’t finished with her thought. She continued, “until I can get a real job.” The room fell silent. I too was shocked to hear her say that, but her brash honesty was refreshing. No one tells the unspoken truth anymore.
However, for any interns and/or next generation museum professionals still paying attention, now is a good time for me to make clear the moral of this story. Even though it is not necessarily a deal breaker, know that it is also not advantageous to make such a declaration during a job interview, whether it is for a paid or unpaid position. As a rule, keep that stuff on the inside. And if you have to, say it in the car aloud to yourself in the parking lot before and after the interview but not at the conference table in front of the Curator of Education, the Assistant Curator of Ethnology, and a blogger who will later use you as an example in a post on a public history website. I hope this message has been helpful and is something you will carry with you in the back of your minds as you march forward towards a fulfilling career in the field of public history.