I've been watching this discussion with a lot of interest and would like to
make an additional observation-- speaking as someone who interviews and
hires applicants, Tracie would have impressed me not only because of the
range of skills revealed by the resume and portfolio, but because of
initiative, imagination, and entrepreneurial spirit.  Also, someone who is
willing to go to this much trouble probably has a pretty strong work ethic!
As an employer, I look for attitude and personal characteristics as well as
specific skills and experience.  

Ann Mintz
President/CEO
Chester County Historical Society
West Chester, PA  


> [Original Message]
> From: Tracie Evans <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 1/6/2005 5:34:27 PM
> Subject: Re: Misguided applicants-a new angle
>
> Dear Christian-
> In January 1999 as I approached my June graduation with my MA, I began my
> job search.  To prepare, I did the following that were very helpful in
> getting my first position.
>
> 1) I looked at all types of positions and created a resume that not only
> reflected my museum work but all the skills I had acquired through years
of
> retail work, years as a cake decorator, being an independent sales
> consultant for a candle and accessory company, and working as a volunteer
> with various organizations.  
> 2) In addition, I reviewed by experience to date and focused my remaining
> independent projects and internships to give me experience in as many
areas
> of museum work as possible
> 3) Created a portfolio that highlighted all of my experience in the museum
> field included writing samples, work experience and exhibit development
and
> completion documents
> 4) I accepted that it would take patience, submission of many resumes, and
> months of waiting to get a few interviews and my first job.
>
> I felt very fortunate that it only took me 6 months to find and be offered
> the position that I took with the Wisconsin Historical Society.  One
reason
> that I was offered the position was that I had a wide variety of
experience
> both in and out of the museum field that would be beneficial to the
historic
> site that I worked at including previous inventory experience
> (retail/business), organizational skills (business/retail), creative
> development (cake decorating/sales consulting), leadership
responsibilities
> (volunteer/business/sales consulting), collections management, and
> administration (both business and museum).  In addition, being able to
bring
> in my portfolio to illustrate what I have done was invaluable.  Today, few
> museum professionals actually create a portfolio that highlights both
their
> work and their writing.  I have found these invaluable in my interviews
and
> continue to update and add to mine.
>
> I hope this helps.
> Tracie Evans
> Collections Manager
> Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
>
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From:	Christian Carr [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent:	Thursday, January 06, 2005 7:30 AM
> > To:	[log in to unmask]
> > Subject:	Misguided applicants-a new angle
> > 
> > As a professor of arts management who trains and counsels future museum 
> > professionals, this thread has been of great interest.  I generally have
> > my 
> > students subscribe to this list during the semester so that they get a
> > good 
> > feel for the issues of the field--the good, the bad and the ugly!
> > 
> > I just wanted to suggest a change of direction for this thread.  Would
> > anyone 
> > be willing to share the story of how they got their first job in the
> > museum 
> > field, or how they got their current job?  There's been lots of good
> > discussion 
> > on what you *should* do while job hunting; real-life stories might be a
> > useful 
> > and interesting addition.
> > 
> > All best,
> > 
> > Christian Carr
> > Director, Sweet Briar Museum
> > Assistant Professor, Arts Management
> > Sweet Briar College
> > Sweet Briar, VA 24595
> > 
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