Kimberly,

It sounds to me like the kind of job that might fit you best would be a state or federal museum job.???? They are very competitive, but tend to pay better and indeed, usually have "room for advancement" -- an area that may often be lacking in small and private museums, or large art museums that prefer to hire famous outsiders for the key positions.

I would investigate the merit system for the State of Michigan.? There is probably a test that you must take to be considered in the pool of applicants.? You may want to investigate what types of jobs are available at state-owned museums as well as with the cultural heritage or historic preservation divisions at the state parks or division of natural resources.??? You will probably want to devote some time every week or several times a month to monitoring websites where such jobs are listed on a state-network to catch the deadlines for available positions.

Federal jobs are listed online, also, ?and other people on the list have more experience with them than I do.??? It helps to have completed military service, as those applicants are usually considered first for federal positions.

Good luck with your search.

Cordially,
Dr. Pam Sezgin
Anthropology and History Professor - Gainesville State College (Georgia)
and Museum Consultant 


-----Original Message-----
From: Kimberly Bouchard <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:03 pm
Subject: seeking museum employment opportunities







hello all, 

I am brand new to this list serv, and i would like to utilize it by sending a? little blurb about me and what i'm looking for. If anyone at all can help or give advice, it would be greatly appreciated. 

I'm 23, i graduated a year ago from Valparaiso University with a BA in History and Latin. i spent 3 weeks that following summer at an Archeological Dig in Macedonia through the Commuity College of St. Louis. I have worked at a local art gallery for 4 years, and the well known museum in my home town, in Dearborn MI, The Henry Ford. I have been a historical presenter at Greenfield Village there for 7 years now, and currently still presenting. I would like to stay within the museum field for a career, but i am finding that jobs along this line are difficult to come by. i guess my question is this. Is there any place anyone knows of where i can get an entry level position that has room for advacement, or would it be in my best interest to go back to school for a Masters degree? I would work in any kind of museum atmosphere but i am partial to historic sites. I have a lot to offer, yet i'm just not finding the right places that are looking for it. 

?

Thanks a lot everyone.

Kimberly





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