From a student / new-to-the-field point of view:

Here is what has worked for me so far in becoming involved in the museum field:

1. Get your foot in the door (volunteer / intern), then let devotion and hard work speak for itself. In one of my internships, I needed a key to the office because I got there before most of the staff. This is the kind of thing that gets noticed.
2. Join organizations or associations, and get as invovled as you can. There are many international, regional, and topic-specific organizations about museums. In the U.S., the American Association of Museums is a good place to start. They have lots of Special Interest Groups where you can get information and make contacts.
3. Email or call people in your area who do what you want to do. Don't be shy, the worst they can do is say "No, thank you." to an informational interview or a meeting to discuss what's going on in the field (and you should know what's going on in the field).
4. Be persistent, and patient. Having to explain to people why I was "temporarily unemployed" for 5 months was worth waiting for the right opportunity to present itself - and it did.

It's no coincidence that many people on the listserv are giving the same advice about how to get a job (some of my points are repeats, of course). Just remember that this is a field that offers rewards that are well worth the wait.

Steven Yalowitz
Graduate Student
Colorado State University

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