ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by defining an intern and a volunteer and presenting some of the controversies surrounding unpaid internships. An internship is like a nine-week, or three-month, job interview. An internship may be paid, but it is usually unpaid. At the beginning of an internship, consider recording goals. Completing museum internships can benefit one’s chances of gaining museum employment, but how many internships is enough? For museum jobs, it is almost always the case that there are more qualified candidates than jobs available. Some museum professionals have zero internship experience. Students in paid internships are considered employees and may bring claims against their employer. The New York Times, and many other news outlets, publicized the results of the 2012 National Association of Colleges and Employers Internship and Co-op Survey showing that paid internships are more likely to lead to job offers and higher starting salaries than unpaid internships.
