Ivan Kawaler wrote:
> As an unemployed college graduate, I have been struggling to find 
> work.  I would love to attend the conference to make industry contacts 
> and possibly meet potential employers.  For those who have attended 
> conferences in the past, what are my chances of finding potential 
> employers at the conference?  Also, what might I encounter other than 
> numerous presentations?  Thanks in advance.
>
> Ivan
>
>
It is not the kind of conference like academic conventions where there 
is either a placement service where institutions actively interview 
recruits, or where institutions have asked their attendees to solicit 
resumes and interview.  It is a place to meet people from all sorts of 
organizations, but ARSC is a mixture of private collectors, hobbiests, 
researchers, and institutional collections.  Many of those from 
institutions are the worker grunts without any hiring powers -- although 
there are plenty of archive heads attending as well.  Some might be 
thinking about looking around for a potential hire, but there's no 
organized "hiring hall" like I remember from my early teaching days.

But beyond the presentations there ARE plenty of conversations, bull 
sessions, and some committee meetings -- sometimes over lunch.  You WILL 
learn a lot no matter what your interests are.  You are bound to find 
others with the same interests, and latch onto those who can help you 
advance your knowledge.  And getting to know so many of us on a first 
name basis gives you an advantage for the rest of your career. 

So, you're coming, right?

Mike (only missed 2 since 1971)  Biel  mbiel@mbiel