I just want say, Emily and Paul,  that your frustration is perfectly  
understandable.  This is not an easy field to break into or to stay  
in, no matter your experience or qualifications.  And I've recently  
discovered that it's just no longer common for potential employers in  
many industries to acknowledge applications.  It is frustrating and  
it's difficult to not take it personally somehow.  This list will  
give you good advice, but even when followed it's often a matter of  
luck and timing.  My friends keep telling me to keep a positive  
outlook, visualize and keep putting one foot in front of the other  
and they're right.  I wish there were some tricks that would provide  
you with a shortcut, or a shorter cut, but I don't think they exist.   
I wish you both the best of luck in establishing your museum careers!


On Feb 1, 2007, at 7:38 AM, Paul Lubienecki wrote:

> I am curious for that info as well.  I am finishing up my MA in  
> museum studies and have been looking.  With a strong business and  
> management background, from my other life, and now with the  
> academics and internships why don't I even get a reply.
>
> The collective information would be helpful.
>
> Thanks
>
>
>> From: Emily Milot <[log in to unmask]>
>> Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Occupational Guidance
>> Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2007 22:42:40 -0500
>>
>> Dear List:
>>
>>
>>
>> I've been reading your comments for some months now, and I  
>> appreciate all of
>> the help and support that you give one another.  And I was hoping  
>> that some
>> of you might have some guidance for me.
>>
>>
>>
>> The truth is that I'm looking for a job in a museum.  I've been  
>> applying for
>> jobs all over my area for the past three years - ever since I  
>> started taking
>> museum studies courses -- but I can't quite seem to do whatever it  
>> is that
>> gets someone hired into the museum field.
>>
>>
>>
>> I've heard a lot of advice through the years.  Everything from  
>> it's all
>> about meeting the right people to if I could just hold out just a  
>> few more
>> years and maybe someone will retire or die and I could get one of  
>> their
>> jobs.  I've written and rewritten my resume and cover letter.   
>> I've tried to
>> show my enthusiastic, and I've done as much volunteer work as I  
>> can for many
>> years.  But the only jobs that I've gotten either don't pay a  
>> living wage
>> (i.e. allow me to pay rent, buy groceries and have some kind of  
>> health
>> benefits) or are seasonal.
>>
>>
>>
>> So, I decided to do something that I have never done before and  
>> ask all of
>> you.  What else can I do?  What's the silver bullet?  How did you  
>> get your
>> jobs?  When you're hiring someone, what do you look for?
>>
>>
>>
>> I appreciate any advice you can give me based on your  
>> experiences.  I've
>> purposely left my own skills and experience vague because I don't  
>> want to
>> seem like I've got my hand out looking for a job from one of you.   
>> But, if
>> it would be helpful to know a little more about me, I can always  
>> send you my
>> resume. :-) Just kidding.
>>
>>
>>
>> Emily Milot
>>
>>
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=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).