ConversationVolunteering as a tour guide: Narrator: Listen to a conversation between a student and an employee at the university art museum. Student: Hi, is Mason around? Employee: No, sorry he's gone for the day. Can I help you with something? Student: Well, I hope so. See, I'm supposed to start volunteering as a tour guide on Monday. I'm scheduled to give a tour at ten. I did my first volunteer training session with Mason the other day, and I was supposed to have the second session tomorrow afternoon, which is the last one you guys offer this week, right? Employee: Yes, it is. In fact, it's the last one we have scheduled for this semester. Student: Yeah, that's what I was afraid of. So I don't know what to do because I'm signed up to give that tour on Monday and it turns out I have to make up a test tomorrow afternoon. Employee: Well, yes, that is a problem, I'm afraid, because we do require two training sessions before you're allowed to start giving tours. Student: Yeah, I know, I was hoping maybe I could work something out with Mason. He gave us his home number at the original training session, but I am not sure where I put it. Could you possibly give it again? Employee: Well, no, I am not allowed to give out employees' phone numbers. It wouldn't do you any good, anyway. Mason can't waive that training requirement any more than I can. But I can sign you up for the first session next semester and you could start giving tours then. Student: That's too late. Not that I wouldn't want to do tours next semester. I mean, I do want to keep doing it. It's just that, see I really need to start this semester. My art history professor is giving me a chance to bring my grade up. He said that I could get extra credit if I wrote a paper for him and volunteered here at the art museum. Employee: Is this Professor Tyler's class? Student: Uh-huh. Employee: Yeah, I thought so. You're not the first student that he's sent our way. Look, did he specify that it had to be a tour guide? Student: Well, not exactly. I just thought ... Employee: Because believe me, we could use you in other capacities. Student: Really? Employee: Well, it's not as glamorous as being a tour guide, but we always need people to work in the museum gift shop, or how are you with data entry, data processing, stuff like that? Student: Pretty good, actually. Employee: Because we desperately someone right away to help us keep our membership list up to date, work on our monthly newsletter, things like that. Sounds kind of boring I know, but after you've had some experience, it could lead to a paid position. Student: Well, that'd certainly be a plus. Tell you what? Let me just check with Professor Tyler, make sure it's alright with him and I will get back to you sometime tomorrow, okay? Employee: Okay, great!