Young Professional, seeks employment advice - Museum Professional Forums, News, Jobs, Articles, Books

CWMichelle · 11-06-2008, 11:52 PM

Our current economic situation may not be the ideal time to get started in the historical field, nonetheless I've recently graduated with an MA in Applied History this spring.

After getting married and settled, I am STILL having such difficulty finding a way to get my foot in the door. I have searched through many different career and museum specific sites, but I have not been able to even get to the interview stage. I have good references and graduated with distinction, but I still can't manage to get the job.

What is the best way find new historical jobs and make professional contacts? Right now I am volunteering as a collections assistant, but I really want a historical job to validate my years of education and time spent living on a poverty-level stipend while earning my degree.

Please help!

StephGaub · 11-10-2008, 07:37 AM

I think we've all been in your situation at one time or another. First let me say that you're doing the right thing by volunteering in a museum while you're seeking a permanent position. Anything you can add to your resume can only benefit you in the long run!

Although it didn't seem like it at the time, I really benefitted from working within several departments in museums. A couple of years ago when I was laid-off and searching for a new position, I found that my varied experiences really helped me during the interviewing process. It also gave me a better understanding of the different aspects of working within a museum. I had experience with school tours and other educational programs, marketing, researching/designing/fabricating exhibits, visitors services, museum store management, as well as working with archival and 3-D collections (where my heart lies!!!). Believe it or not, all of this really helped me out in the long run. This can be especially helpful if you end up getting an interview at a museum with a small staff where you may have to perform multiple duties even if it isn't in your job title!

You should also tailor your resume to the job that your applying for. Look at the job description and play up your experience in those areas. Your resume may end up looking slightly different for each job for which you apply. And speaking of your resume - there is normally no need to put non-related jobs on there. Most museum employers don't care that you were a cashier at McDonalds. If you don't have a lot of museum-related experience and have to include the non-related positions, be sure to highlight your management and other similar duties, i.e. things that illustrate responsibility.

Speaking of your resume... I would advise any recent graduate or current student to take their resume to their school's career counseling center for review. Employers get several resumes for each position, and you need to find a way to get your's noticed. If it takes them too long to find determine your skills and experience, your resume may just get tossed to the side. If you are currently volunteering or working at an internship, ask your supervisor for his/her opinion on your resume as well.

One of the main things to remember is that hardly anybody starts at the top! You may have to take that assistant or part-time position to get your start. After undergrad I worked for a bank until I was offered a part-time position at a museum. I took and pay and hour cut, but felt it was worth it to start my career. Yes, I worked 2 jobs for awhile, but it paid off in the end!

These are just a few of the things that have helped me get a job that I LOVE!!! Good luck finding that perfect position. Keep your head up - we've all been there!!!

jgoreham · 11-28-2008, 06:21 PM

I think StephGaub has given you some pretty good advice, and I just wanted to echo the sentiment that volunteering in a museum while you seek a museum job is a smart thing to do. I know a gal who went from front desk volunteer to the manager of the same museum! Less impressively, my volunteer efforts have usually led to contract-type positions, which were what I was looking for at the time.

Apply for anything and everything that's remotely relevant to your career aspirations (regardless of if you think you have a shot at it or not)- if nothing else, it keeps your cover letter/resume writing and job interview skills sharp.

Iolanthe · 12-29-2011, 12:35 PM

I too agree with the advice the other two posters have given. Be prepared to take that first job anywhere. For instance, I applied to a job in the Shetland Isles when I was getting desperate for that first museum job (thank goodness I didn't even get an interview!) But you need to think broadly, that you will take anything anywhere, even if it is not what you really want to do in the end. Experience in our profession means everything; as do specialisms. If you are already a specialist in any area of history for instance, really promote that on your CV...it worked for me!

Are you willing to travel? If so, look on the Museum's Association website for jobs. Our museum job vacancy situation here in the UK is not that good either, but there may be that first job...

I was in your position 13 years ago, but got that first coveted job and now have a job which I LOVE!! So don't give up, you'll find something, and good luck!

11-06-2008, 11:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
CWMichelle New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2	Young Professional, seeks employment advice Our current economic situation may not be the ideal time to get started in the historical field, nonetheless I've recently graduated with an MA in Applied History this spring. After getting married and settled, I am STILL having such difficulty finding a way to get my foot in the door. I have searched through many different career and museum specific sites, but I have not been able to even get to the interview stage. I have good references and graduated with distinction, but I still can't manage to get the job. What is the best way find new historical jobs and make professional contacts? Right now I am volunteering as a collections assistant, but I really want a historical job to validate my years of education and time spent living on a poverty-level stipend while earning my degree. Please help!

11-10-2008, 07:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
StephGaub New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 247	What worked for me! I think we've all been in your situation at one time or another. First let me say that you're doing the right thing by volunteering in a museum while you're seeking a permanent position. Anything you can add to your resume can only benefit you in the long run! Although it didn't seem like it at the time, I really benefitted from working within several departments in museums. A couple of years ago when I was laid-off and searching for a new position, I found that my varied experiences really helped me during the interviewing process. It also gave me a better understanding of the different aspects of working within a museum. I had experience with school tours and other educational programs, marketing, researching/designing/fabricating exhibits, visitors services, museum store management, as well as working with archival and 3-D collections (where my heart lies!!!). Believe it or not, all of this really helped me out in the long run. This can be especially helpful if you end up getting an interview at a museum with a small staff where you may have to perform multiple duties even if it isn't in your job title! You should also tailor your resume to the job that your applying for. Look at the job description and play up your experience in those areas. Your resume may end up looking slightly different for each job for which you apply. And speaking of your resume - there is normally no need to put non-related jobs on there. Most museum employers don't care that you were a cashier at McDonalds. If you don't have a lot of museum-related experience and have to include the non-related positions, be sure to highlight your management and other similar duties, i.e. things that illustrate responsibility. Speaking of your resume... I would advise any recent graduate or current student to take their resume to their school's career counseling center for review. Employers get several resumes for each position, and you need to find a way to get your's noticed. If it takes them too long to find determine your skills and experience, your resume may just get tossed to the side. If you are currently volunteering or working at an internship, ask your supervisor for his/her opinion on your resume as well. One of the main things to remember is that hardly anybody starts at the top! You may have to take that assistant or part-time position to get your start. After undergrad I worked for a bank until I was offered a part-time position at a museum. I took and pay and hour cut, but felt it was worth it to start my career. Yes, I worked 2 jobs for awhile, but it paid off in the end! These are just a few of the things that have helped me get a job that I LOVE!!! Good luck finding that perfect position. Keep your head up - we've all been there!!!

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11-28-2008, 06:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
jgoreham New Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Halifax, NS Canada Posts: 5	I think StephGaub has given you some pretty good advice, and I just wanted to echo the sentiment that volunteering in a museum while you seek a museum job is a smart thing to do. I know a gal who went from front desk volunteer to the manager of the same museum! Less impressively, my volunteer efforts have usually led to contract-type positions, which were what I was looking for at the time. Apply for anything and everything that's remotely relevant to your career aspirations (regardless of if you think you have a shot at it or not)- if nothing else, it keeps your cover letter/resume writing and job interview skills sharp.

12-29-2011, 12:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Iolanthe New Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Lincolnshire, UK Posts: 3	I too agree with the advice the other two posters have given. Be prepared to take that first job anywhere. For instance, I applied to a job in the Shetland Isles when I was getting desperate for that first museum job (thank goodness I didn't even get an interview!) But you need to think broadly, that you will take anything anywhere, even if it is not what you really want to do in the end. Experience in our profession means everything; as do specialisms. If you are already a specialist in any area of history for instance, really promote that on your CV...it worked for me! Are you willing to travel? If so, look on the Museum's Association website for jobs. Our museum job vacancy situation here in the UK is not that good either, but there may be that first job... I was in your position 13 years ago, but got that first coveted job and now have a job which I LOVE!! So don't give up, you'll find something, and good luck!