Hard-working college graduate looking to get her foot in the door!

[alotoole]

Headline: Hard-working college graduate looking to get her foot in the door!
Name: Allison L O'Toole
Email Address: allisonotoole@sbcglobal.net
Current Location: Magnolia, Tx, USA

Preferred Job Category: Registrar/Collections Manager

Personal Statement:
In terms of a career, I see myself working behind the scenes at a museum as a collections registrar, writing articles, and educating others on the historical significance of various artifacts. This position would be valuable to me in several ways. First, an registrar assistantship would provide me with the practical experience I am eager to acquire. Further, working within a museum would advance my other career goals by adding to my skills, both critical and creative. Ultimately, however, I see this opportunity as my first professional stepping-stone, allowing me to pursue the career I have dreamed of for so many years. I enjoy studying history for its own sake and would like to continue my studies as my career develops.

Education:
Sam Houston State University
Bachelor of Arts, August 2009
Major: History
Minor: Psychology
GPA: 3.5/3.7
Tomball College
Associate of Arts, May 2007
Concentration: History
GPA: 3.68/3.73

In my studies toward a Master’s degree, I hope to create a solid foundation in public history. My junior year courses and private studies of public history have caused me to realize how important artifacts and architecture are to our society and culture. Should I join your museum as an assistant, I would like to broaden my knowledge on how museums maintain and expand their collections.

Professional Experience:
Galveston Historical Foundation, March 2010 – June 2010
Public Relations Internship
•Sorted and archived assorted video, photo and printed material
•Created spreadsheets to track and fulfill trade agreements
•Created a working database for video media
•Spearheaded project to build and track membership

Daughters of the American Revolution Descendants Indexing Project, October 2009 – Present
Volunteer
•Entered genealogical information into the DAR descendants database
•Gathered information from original handwritten and typed applications
•Verified geographical information

Poster Presentation, Spring 2009
First Annual Sam Houston Symposium
•Researched a historical figure in depth
•Prepared a multi-dimensional tri-board on the subject
•Presented research and answered questions during brief Q & A
•Poster was also on display during two other Sam Houston State University functions

Public History Research Grant, Spring 2008
Department of History, Sam Houston State University
•Assisted in the preparation of a federal grant application to relocate three historical buildings and related artifacts to a campus museum site
•Organized field trips to the Houston Museum of Natural Science Archives and Michael DeBakey Archives at Baylor College of Medicine to meet museum curators and gather information on artifact preservation and archiving
•Attended the Texas Association of Museums Conference to obtain information on the preservation and relocation of historical buildings
•Interviewed curators who have moved historical buildings for future reference
•Worked with the curator of The Sam Houston Memorial Museum to develop a larger, more organized collection facility

Applicable Skills:
General Attributes:
•Strong research, writing and verbal skills
•Problem solving abilities
•Strong organizational skills
•Task and detail oriented
•Self-starter but works well in team environment
•Working knowledge of various hand and power tools

Administration:
•Able to prioritize efficiently and effectively
•Word processing
•Database skills
•Management, implementation, coordination of multiple activities and schedules
•Effective at conflict resolution and negotiation

Interpersonal Skills:
•Confident in dealing with the public
•Friendly and outgoing personality
•Mix and communicate naturally with all age groups
•Ten years of child experience

Computing Skills:
•Competence with Microsoft Office 2003/2007
•Proficient knowledge of Windows XP, Vista and 7
•Internet research and publishing skills
•PC hardware/software, network and peripheral troubleshooting skills

Other:
SCHOLASTIC AWARDS:
•Dean’s List: 2008, 2009
•Excellence in Writing Nomination: Spring 2008
•President’s List: 2005, 2006, 2007
•Tomball College Academic Scholarship: Spring 2006

MEMBERSHIPS:
•American Historical Association, January 2010 – Present
•Sam Houston State University Alumni Association, August 2009 – Present
•Phi Alpha Theta, Lifetime member since March 2009
•Daughters of the American Revolution, February 2009 – Present
•International Golden Key Honor Society, Lifetime member since October 2008
•Phi Theta Kappa, Lifetime member since February 2007