Hi Shelley,
If you decide to go into collections management, exhibit development or
design, I suggest you take a look at the MA in Museum Studies at the The
George Washington University in DC. There is also a strong Museum Education
department there (although I can't tell you much because I didn't take
classes in this department). The students choose an academic core in either
American Studies (which encompasses dec arts, historic preservation,
folklore, and possibly public history), Anthropology, History, or other
field, then do their other courses through the Museum Studies Dept. The
faculty, adjunct professors, and resources are great. Before getting into a
program, ask yourself if you like a small rural museum or big urban museum
atmosphere. Do you want to focus on living history museums where
interpreters are used or work with collections? Sometimes you get more
exposure to a certain kind of museum or position depending on which program
you attend. Good luck!
Rebecca L. Fifield
Collections Care Specialist
Department of Textile and Fashion Arts
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
www.mfa.org
-----Original Message-----
From: shelley brown [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2001 2:25 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: museum careers
Aaron,
I found your advice about a museum career quite helpful. I just made the
decision a couple weeks ago to pursue my master's in museum studies, but now
i'm wondering if i should try public history. My undergrad degree is in
history and it is truly one of my passions. I have previously worked in the
museum field as an historic interpreter, and am hoping now to explore other
career opportunities in the field. Would you recommend a public history
degree versus one in museum studies? Also, does anyone know of any programs
in the NE or mid-atlantic areas? Thanks!
Shelley Brown
>From: Aaron Marcavitch <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: museum careers
>Date: Wed, 16 May 2001 10:44:57 -0700
>
>Emily,
>
>Ah! A museum career! You have a million options out there. There are the
>straight up Museum
>studies programs or the more diverse public history or arts programs. I
>wont say which is better,
>but you have to think about what you want to be doing. Do you like
>education? Do you like the
>artifacts? I would like to be working in a history museum so I am in a
>public history program.
>THis allows me to be diverse, especially if I can find a job in a musuem.
>I could be working in a
>bunch of different places. If you like administration and art, there are
>arts admin programs.
>
>Basically though, you really will have a hard time being hired (this holds
>true for most of the
>jobs out there today in any field) without a masters. But if you aren't
>sure, take that year off
>or two and work in some places. Even if you waitress for most of the time
>and volunteer in at two
>or three different museums, it helps. Try volunteering at both an arts
>museumand a history museum
>or a natural science museum. Be diverse.
>
>Then, find a program. Lots of good ones. Look on my website under
>Employment links and you will
>see a tab for education. THis will link you up to several. I dont have
>them all, but its worth a
>shot. Most are history based, so I apologize if you dont like history.
>
>After all that, you will find out that many program wont teach you some of
>the important aspects.
>Take classes at the vo-tech in computer databases and web design, find out
>who the local grant
>writer is and ask them questions. Take a basic accounting course. Go to a
>million conferences
>and present at a few of them.
>
>This could be loads of fun. And remember that there are programs all over
>the country. Try
>something new. I really dont care for the South, but I came here for
>something different. And
>trust me it helps.
>
>If you have more questions, I could go on forever. Let me know!
>
>Aaron
>
>=====
>www.aaronmarcavitch.com
>Webmaster, VAF (www.vernaculararchitecture.org)
>Webmaster, ADM (www.americandinermuseum.org)
>Co-Webmaster, RPPN (www.recentpast.org)
>Grad. Student Caucus Chair, Am. Assoc of History & Computing
>
>M.A. (Public) History, Middle TN St. Univ
>
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