Recent Graduate seeking advice on gaining employment

[ulifromyulee]

Hello,
I recently graduated with a BA in Art (Concentration in Art History). I have visited and posted resumes on several sites dealing with museum-related jobs, but no response as of yet. The two major factors that seem to lessen my employment options appear to be a lack in education or experience.
During my senior year I worked as an Intern at a local Art Museum and for the past two years I have also been volunteering at a local History Museum assisting in a variety of tasks.
I gladly appreciate any advice. Thanks.

[accountingresumes]

If you are asking for an advice regarding your resume, just put all the job experiences you have as well as all your references. Make sure that all the details in your resume are all true as well as all the person in your reference can be contacted.

[ulifromyulee]

Hello,
thank you for your response. I will edit my current resume and make sure it is up to date, especially since I am still volunteering and gaining more experience as I go along.
However, I have another concern in regard to how I can gain employment and experience at the current level of my education, as most jobs require a Master's Degree or higher?
I appreciate any advice.

[GStockburger]

It depends on what kind of museum job you want. I am graduating in August with my MA in Museum science. I'm looking for a job as well with no luck so far. Right now the market for 0-3 years of experience jobs are limited. What do you want to do? What kind of job are you looking for? Perhaps I can point you in the right direction.

Genevieve

[ulifromyulee]

Dear Genevieve,
thank you so much for your response. I would like to work in the curatorial department of a museum. During my senior year I did an internship at one of the local Art Museums in their curatorial department and for the last two years I have been volunteering at a local History Museum ranging from Cashier/ Receptionist to assisting the Archivist with various projects. This has been a very rewarding experience and I will continue to do so as it will add to my existing knowledge and skills. Up to this point I have not had any experience in working in a gallery, set up exhibits etc. , as this was not part of my internship. I am willing to relocate if necessary. I would love to hear back from you and please accept my apologies in the delay of my reply. I am very grateful for any advice. I wish you well in your endeavors as well.
Take care,
Uli

[GStockburger]

Museum Employment

This website is managed by the Smithsonian. It has several links to different museum job sites. USAjobs.gov is also a good place to look. Also when applying emphasis in your cover letter and resume projects that you have worked on and specific museum related jobs skills that you have. Also AAM (American Association of Museums) and AASLH (American Association of State and Local History) posts jobs on their websites. There has been a need for Archivist from what I have noticed, if you have experience with that it would be beneficial to you. There is a web site on the above link for the Society of American Archivists that post jobs as well.

I hope that this helps, if you have any other questions just ask.

Genevieve

[ulifromyulee]

Dear Genevieve,
thank you so much for your reply. I appreciate your input and I plan on checking the sites you mentioned. If I have any more questions I know I can come back and seek advice from you and other individuals that are working in the field. Take care.
Best wishes from
Uli

[Iolanthe]

Uli,

Commiserations that you have been unable to find your first museum job. I was at my wits end 13 years ago and thought I would never get that first all important curatorial job. But I did- maybe because I am a specialist in an area employers want. Do you have a specialist area within the curatorial sphere?

I'm assuming that you are in the States, but say you are willing to travel. Have a look at the Museums Association website or the Society of Archivists website here in the UK. There are very few jobs going here too i'm afraid, but you may be lucky...

Good luck, and keep up the volunteering, that certainly helps!
Best wishes

[ulifromyulee]

Dear Iolanthe,
your comment was very much appreciated. I remain hopeful that I will get an opportunity to work in a museum. I will check into the websites you suggested. Thank you and take care.
Uli

[ulifromyulee]

Dear Iolanthe,
your comment was very much appreciated. I remain hopeful that I will get an opportunity to work in a museum. I will check into the websites you suggested. Thank you and take care.
Uli