A few people asked about the difference between volunteering and an internship, in my position. At first, that is what my intention was to volunteer but transformed into an internship. The difference I believe is mentoring.
I am working with two individuals that are adding to my museum education by giving me guidance about the profession. If I was just volunteering this would not be the case. I would do my part and then leave and not get anything in return except maybe to feel good about my deeds. I am getting guidance on curating, funding, advertising, and bringing proposals to conferences to name a few. Yes, this is an unfunded position and no I did not have to sign anything stating how to handle sensitive information that is why I send everything I propose to Danielle and the curator for approval and guidance.
I would be interested in hearing your opinions on this subject.
I think mentoring is a good way to distinguish an internship from a volunteer position. I also think of interning as a more independent experience (where the intern has some autonomy and creative license over their work) than volunteering. And, hopefully (fingers and toes crossed!), we are starting to move, as a field, towards paying our interns. I know that you all, as a group, will go out there and fight to pay your own interns when you are in the position of being a change agent in the field!
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