Vox pop

“The overwhelming majority of interns in the department of conservation and scientific research at the British Museum are fulfilling a compulsory element of a first or higher degree course in conservation or conservation science, putting into practice the theoretical framework gained in earlier terms at teaching institutions in the UK and worldwide.

We believe internships are mutually beneficial; we gain from the intern’s fresh outlook and the work they conduct under supervision on the collections, while the interns benefit from the opportunity to work alongside expert conservators and gain hands-on experience in a large museum, dealing with the complex range of activities with which they will need to be familiar in future careers. ”
“When I asked government departments how many interns they used, I also received answers from organisations linked to the department for culture. I was surprised at how many interns museums and galleries rely on.

Nine months unpaid is exploitation, not experience. Public bodies should be more responsible about internships that only people with London addresses and without caring responsibilities can afford to take.

The Museums Association has highlighted the importance of a wide diversity of staff in order to ensure museums stay relevant to the UK population. Work experience is crucial to the learning process and beneficial to both student and organisation, but when opportunities are only available to a select few it can do more damage than good.”
“Internships are seen as a rite of passage into an overqualified and underpaid industry. Museums and galleries see interns as ‘volunteers’ but the difference is that an intern aims towards a full-time paid job.

Museums want people who can hit the ground running and will fit in with their own unique management; the only way a jobseeker can fit this profile is by taking on work experience and cultivating insider contacts. Sadly, a lack of relevant work experience counts against applicants for actual jobs.

If there were flexible, part-time jobs that developed management or curatorial skills in museums, and that required enthusiasm and interest rather than substantial experience, there would be another way in for aspiring museum workers.”
“You need experience to get a job in museums, but you need a job to get that experience. Working as an intern is an essential part of gaining employment in this sector and this is why museum studies postgraduate courses include an obligatory two-month internship.

I began the internship programme at the Ashmolean in 2008. Having been an intern in the past, I knew that well managed and supported interns not only benefit the museum, but also enable those individuals to gain experience in a very competitive environment.

This is not exploitation, it is a two-way street. Museums invest significant staff-time in training interns, and interns gain much-needed hands-on experience. This definitely helps them in their future career in museums.”