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  • 1.  Internship questions

    Posted 12-30-2014 10:47 PM

    Dear American Alliance Museum community,

    I am considering applying for an internship for a Chicago museum(s). My concerns are in regards to submitting a writing sample. It mentions submitting two pages. I have a writing sample that is 8-10pgs. I was considering submitting 2 pages and putting a note that it is a part of an academic paper. My concern is that it won't make sense because it is a part of my academic paper. It doesn't show the bigger picture of the academic paper. I am open to suggestions. Thank you for your time and consideration.

    Sincerely,

    Cristina Robles




  • 2.  RE: Internship questions

    Posted 12-31-2014 06:56 AM
    Of course it depends on the specifics of the internship, but when I request writing samples I want a simple descriptive piece that demonstrates an ability to communicate in writing and share ideas (as opposed to demonstrating a wealth of knowledge - that I get elsewhere).  I want something that I want to read because if the applicant can produce that, I can be reasonably confident they can follow a style book should something more technical be required.

    Good luck!

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    Susan Day
    Education and Communications Consultant
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Internship questions

    Posted 12-31-2014 08:35 AM
    It's a little hard to advise without knowing the wording of the request for a writing sample. Does it clearly ask for an academic example? If so, then now would be a very good time to learn how to condense your academic writing into an abstract, for which 2 pages is very generous. If you have more leeway in the request (i.e. you are not required to submit evidence of your scholarly ability), then consider something more like an essay on why museums intrigue you, or what you might learn from the experience of being an intern, or what you can offer the institution that sets you apart from other candidates. I would not simply choose 2 pages of your longer paper, with a note explaining that they are out of context. That would signal to me the applicant is looking for a easy way out, not a quality I would want in an intern. Good luck!

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    Deborah Smith
    Development Director
    Eastport ME
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Internship questions

    Posted 12-31-2014 09:37 AM
    Most internships want candidates' writing samples to demonstrate straightforward prose.  We would want to know, for example, that you can sum up background research on an artifact or write a case caption.   Unless the museum specified academic writing, I would not recommend excerpts from a longer paper.    If you have nothing of the right length, it may be worth it to select an artifact and do a sample specifically for the application.

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    Barbara Cohen-Stratyner PhD
    Curator of Exhibitions
    New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
    New York NY
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Internship questions

    Posted 12-31-2014 11:06 AM
    Cristina,

    It all depends on what role the museum might have you fill during the internship. Like most professions, the museum world requires different kinds of writing for different purposes. If you are helping to write a grant proposal, you will use a different style of writing than if you were writing the text for a label or text panel that is part of an exhibition. I would send the two pages as requested with the qualifier that you suggest, unless you know more about what they are looking for. If you do know more, then you might try to write something that is tailored to what they are looking for.

    Good luck,

    Mike Hanke 


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    Michael Hanke
    Exhibit Designer
    Design Division, Inc.
    Amherst MA
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Internship questions

    Posted 12-31-2014 12:02 PM
    Hello Cristina,
    Naturally, if you know a specific purpose for the writing sample, such as a text panel or part of an educational printed piece, tailor it to that. If you don't, I would recommend writing about something you are keenly interested in, especially if it has a strong connection to the museum's collection. Write something that has a tone much like yours when you excitedly describe to a friend why you think this is interesting. By that I don't mean using lots of exclamation points. I mean using your passion to get your fascination across. See if you can get someone interested in this who normally wouldn't be. Writing like that will get you far in the exhibit world. Good luck!

    Cordially,

    Paul

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    Paul N. Pallansch
    Dioramist, Dot-Connector
    Silver Spring MD
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Internship questions

    Posted 01-04-2015 03:12 PM

    Hi Cristina,

     

    If I required a writing sample for an internship it would be because I wanted to make sure my intern can write.  Receiving a submission for something written and revised for something else would be very disappointing.  This would be especially true if I required you to write something in the internship and found you were not up to the task.  My suggestion would be to write two pages for submission.  Two pages is not very long.

     

    Good luck,

    Dana

     

    Dana Neitzel

    Curator

    San Mateo County Historical Association

    2200 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063

    Ph: 650.299.0104, ext. 230 | Fax: 650.299.0141

    dana@historysmc.org | www.historysmc.org

     

           

              

    Current changing exhibits at the History Museum:

    Scenes of San Mateo County (through January 3, 2015)

    Plowing Ahead:  Historic Peninsula Farming (through January 4, 2015)

    San Carlos:  The City of Good Living (opens January 9, 2015)

    Let's Play Ball (opens March 21, 2015)

     

     




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  • 8.  RE: Internship questions

    Posted 01-05-2015 08:24 AM
    I agree that simply cutting a 10 page paper to 2 pages won't make sense, but using your previous research does.  I would revise the 10 page paper down to 2 pages.  This would not be a wasted exercise because, as an intern, you might be given a scholarly talk or exhibit prospectus and asked to summarize it for a press release or calendar listing.  Actually, a very good exercise.
    Anna

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    Anna Fariello
    Cullowhee NC
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Internship questions

    Posted 01-05-2015 08:27 AM
    Dear Cristina,

    Which department within the museum is the internship you are applying for?  It makes a big difference if it is, say, curatorial, education, or marketing with regard to a writing sample.

    Best wishes,
    Libby

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    Lisbeth Mark
    Managing Principal, Bow Bridge Communications
    New York NY
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Internship questions

    Posted 01-05-2015 09:04 AM
    Cristina--

    Another two cents here. I often ask for writing samples when reviewing candidates, although typically not until I have made a short list. A cover letter is usually enough of a writing sample to narrow down the short list. 

    If they just want a generic writing sample as part of the initial application, a short summary of your academic paper rewritten for a general audience should be fine, particularly if it is something you are passionate about or that is connected to the museum's storyline. I would begin with a short explanation of what you have done. with the sample and why. 

    God luck!

    Guy


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    Guy Hermann
    Museum Insights
    http://www.museuminsights.com
    Mystic CT
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    Original Message