<p>Colleges know that most students switch their majors at least twice, so they don't judge prospective freshmen in terms of whether their internships/jobs match their proposed majors.</p>
<p>For all you know, too, the museum major may cause you to decide on a different major than you're interested in now because you'll find out about other careers than you are aware of now. </p>
<p>Also, working a job -- virtually any job including fast food jobs-- can impress colleges because working a job requires a great deal of organizational skills and responsibility and teaches a person a lot about themselves and the world.</p>
<p>I'm with Northstarmom. Any internship that ivolves you in the working world --especially one that reflects some aspect of you personal interests-- is worth doing and valuable for college apps and your future.</p>
<p>Do you enjoy art? Would you enjoy the internship and learn real-world skills? Then take the position. Unless it involves passing up a different opportunity, I don't see any downside here.</p>
<p>There was an article I read some time ago about using one's interests in the arts in a practical way. I'm not sure if this applies to you, but the example was using accounting in a ballet company. Arts organizations are still businesses, even if they are nonprofit. They need personnel managers, accountants, marketing people and others. You don't need to be an artist to enjoy art. The experience of working in a museum can bring you many benefits, and it may even excite you about different career possibilitis.</p>
<p>By the way, I can see how being an Art History major would help, but I don't think you'd have to be a studio art major to be able to contribute.</p>
<p>Is it worthwhile taking an internship doing something that interests and excites you? Absolutely! Colleges love passion, whether it is for playing the oboe, cooking gourmet dishes, spending hours in a lab looking for an elusive strand of DNA, civil war reenactment, or exploring the intricacies of art or architecture. Not for profit organizations need people with all kinds of backgrounds who understand and appreciate what they do in order to survive. Someone who understands people and their motivations (psychology), can think critically (philosophy), or put togther an ad campaign (business) are just as important to not for profit organizations as to for profit businesses. This is what ECs should be about - immersing yourself in something that you love, not immersing yourself in something you think adcoms will love. The difference will definately come through in your essays and on interviews and the adcoms will pick up on this. Lucky you to have this opportunity.</p>
<p>Do what you want. You're not required to be a one-track person at the age of 17 (or ever, really).</p>
<p>My daughter and one of her classmates did internships last summer at the county historical society. Neither of them plans to major in history. Nobody thought this was in any way inappropriate.</p>
<p>I'd like to add that experience is never wasted. I have a background in psychology and information systems, and worked in business. I now work with a nonprofit music organization, which uses all of these skills. You never know when something you've done in your life will prove to be useful.</p>