Dear Sharilynn,
For my part, as a person who has interviewed and hired museum professionals, I don't think it makes much difference where you get your MA/MS degree --a "name recognition" program or from a lesser known program. I have interviewed people from both who have been very impressive, and I have interviewed people from both who have been less than impressive. I do have three pieces of advice:
1. If you are getting your degree in an academic discipline (art history, history, anthro., etc.), do be sure the departments you apply to meet you needs and suit your interests in that field. Just because a university's art history program is known for a great museum studies section, doesn't mean it will be right for your interests in art history.
2. If your goal after you graduate is to gain employment in museums, look for graduate programs at universities that have museums on campus that offer GRAs, year-round internships, and/work study opportunities to its students. Also talk with the faculty and find out how likely it is that you could get placed at the museum as a part of your program. I was very fortunate in that I attended graduate school in anthropology/museum studies, at an institution that had two anthropology/arch. museums affiliated with the department. My graduate research assistantships (part of my funding) were at one of the museums, where I was the education and volunteer coordinator for 2 years. So by the time I was out looking for my first full-time position, I had not only my MA degree, and internship experiences, but 2 years of work experience.
3. Small universities and universities in small towns have a lot to offer, but you should seriously consider what other museums are in the area in your decision. If you attend graduate school in a city, you will have more opportunities to network with a diverse variety of museum professionals on a frequent basis. I choose to do my grad. work in AZ (Phoenix/Tempe) and had amazing opportunities to attend conferences (local, regional and national), and become familiar with professionals from history and cultural museums, the zoo, the botanical garden, the children's museum, etc. I still keep in touch with these people and at various times I have gotten calls to interview for positions I didn't apply for, based on recommendations from the people I worked with while I was there.
Best of luck to you,
Keni
Keni Sturgeon
Curator of Programs and Education
Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology
Brown University
300 Tower Street
Bristol, RI 02809
401-253-8388
________________________________
From: Museum discussion list on behalf of Sharilynn Leake
Sent: Fri 2/2/2007 12:19 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Museum job seekers and school choices
Hello all,
As a young person who is trying to decide where to go to school for my masters degree (art history or museum studies) and also trying to collect wisdom on how to eventually get in to the field of museums....first of all, thank you to everyone who has been so candid on this subject.
Next, I have a question. I realize that there may be many differing opinions on this but--do you think it makes a huge difference where you go to school as far as name recognition on a resume? Is name recognition a big deal when it really comes down to it?
Feel free to email me personally if you prefer, especially if you have any grad school experiences you would like to share or suggestions about schools you would like to give. I would love any thoughts or suggestions on this subject.
Many thanks,
Sharilynn.
________________________________
Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2007 02:17:25 -0500
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] The Stressful Life and Times of a Museum Job Seeker
To: [log in to unmask]
Today was my first appointment with a new employment specialist. After providing him with a synopsis of my educational and employment background...and I brought out my inches-thick portfolio (from more recent years) of written exams (several), rejection letters (dozens, which state that I am 'well-qualified') etc., ...the perfect (and near perfect) exam scores -the pages upon pages of typed responses to questions and I showed him an example of how I took particular care in providing what was required, right down to the headings on the page, etc.
Then he yelled at me. Well exaggerating a tad here, he said 'sternly', "...you have an education, you're intelligent, well-dressed...you should be employed, you don't belong in my office...why aren't you working, why hasn't any place hired you?" I explained the situation about the museum field (he is aware, since much the same occurs in many other fields too), and how I've finally started receiving invitations to interview (telephone), but by now am too anxious and nervous to successfully get through one. This, he offered to help me with.
I have seen the anxiety in others, and in myself...that when one is desperate for work, frustrated, etc.,....it 'shows'. This is one reason why people who are already working or are otherwise in a comfortable position, have an easier time landing a new position. If there are any stresses, we need to take particular care to have these in check. Never let them see you sweat is so true.
In regards to these telephone interviews... I did find some great tips online about telephone interviews and if there is more of a trend for employers to rely on telephone interviews as a screening tool, I better be prepared. It's the conference calls I have issues with too... I am not accustomed to them and, though I'm sure if I had in my work or otherwise, this would be fine.
Having filled in some gaps by updating my experience and making sure there is connectedness to my 'dated' experience to that in the present, should be a help. I've also submitted my resume to other than museum positions and am finding a much more positive response. The public relations, organizational, research, resourcefulness, -skills that are highly regarded in many fields (including museum work, of course) are highly sought-after.
Last week I e-mailed a resume and cover letter -the next day I received a telephone call from the owner of the company. She asked me some very tough questions and I didn't flinch. I had no issue what-so-ever with the telephone conversation. But, she was screening me and this was the same level of questioning as those of the 'official' telephone interviews I've had. So that whole layer of anxiety wasn't even there.
And this was 'impromptu' for I didn't do hours of research and notes to prepare, etc. But I had reviewed the company's website before I submitted my resume. This was the 'silver bullet' that landed me the interview. The owner told me that of all the applicants she contacted, I was the only one who bothered to visit the website.
Ok I have some comments about volunteering in a museum. Yes, this 'foot in the door' is customarily done in the museum field if it's done right. It's ok to volunteer for this purpose - the reasons for volunteering should be none other than altruistic. Volunteering should be something that is done from the bottom of your heart. That is the true spirit of volunteerism. Any other benefit that may happen to come your way as a result, is truly earned and deserved.
Volunteer experiences vary of course and there can be some job dissatisfaction because of one's agenda/expectations and other reasons too. Some of these other reasons can have more to do with the organization, rather than the individual. And as I often do, for those who may not be aware...I direct them to review ICOM's code of ethics for volunteering in a museum.
If I don't have the time to volunteer or otherwise make a commitment and just want to maybe learn of a few 'new' things that are going on...there are a couple of museums in the area I can call and see if I can spend the day 'shadowing' and or lending a hand. Or sometimes I'll stop in for a visit - maybe to see a new exhibit, and find myself helping out with something. If I know I have the time just then, I always ask.
To address the issues for the older worker seeking employment (as I am among those) -this can cause some anxiety and again, are among those stresses that can show. It's important to identify what's going on in the market and be aware. We have to be able to change/adapt to this. This is much the same for the younger, new grad.
And then no sooner we do this - it can change again! It's important to be aware of 'just enough' as it applies to that which we can maybe do a little something (or something more, like going back to school if we're able to) to help us compete...maybe something as small as changing the buzz words on our resume. Once you've found out enough, then it's important to put this to positive use. And you don't have to know all the goings on...and you'd never learn everything anyway and their why's and if's that go on in a museum. And there are many things, that shouldn't be a concern of ours or something to consider when we're applying for work.
I haven't been surprised to see more and more, "Master's Preferred" in position announcements. This also tends to close the gap for people in protected classes so we should see this widen again before too long.
Pam
In a message dated 2/1/2007 8:15:36 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes:
"Reality Pie just doesn't taste that good the first few times out. It's an acquired taste." With your permission, Gayle, I'd like to have T-shirts made with this wonderful quote . . . to sell while I'm museum-job hunting.
I must add that all the advice for new, young job hunters has been stellar. There's no small violin playing here, and I've eaten reality pie big time, but I am offering some "food for thought" and asking listers to address some advice to those mid-career folk who have lost their jobs due to financial woes in the cultural community. The department heads are often the first to go to save salaries and benefit costs. If they were good managers, they have left behind extremely able, committed staffers to absorb the work, who are costing the museum less. When they can absorb no more, the museums add a young grad to assist. Although it is a harsh reality for older job seekers, are museums really better off when they jettison a person with years of experience, networks, resources and passion for the museum work for a younger, lower salaried grad who then looks to the more experienced in the field for answers? I find it somewhat dangerous that museums hire younger grads because they represent lower cost benefits. An HR Manager actually told me this. Another reality: no matter how networked you may have been, if you experience a gap working in the field you often disappear from the radar of those still working. Less work means less money to spend renewing association memberships and staying connected. I agree that every opportunity to get out and teach/lecture/present is helpful. How many museums would consider a mid-career staffer for an internship or entry level position so they can get back into the field? A last observation: It seems that a young Masters degreed job candidate against a candidate with years of knowledge and experience but no Masters wins every time. I worked up through the ranks without a Masters when there were just a handful of museum studies programs out there. Now, I'd sell my children for the chance to go back and get that Masters. But . . . is it academic snobbery or salary savings? Are museums making staffing decisions for the here and now financial fix and sacrificing experience, community connections and established resources? Obviously no museum or other cultural organization would admit to doing this but I can guarantee it is happening.
Onward and upward!
Roberta Adams
Screaming Hearts Studios
Connecting Museums to the Community
302-477-0747 302-753-0862
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