Hi Kelly,

It is possible to find a job in which you can utilize skills in
writing/research, education and artifact preservation; as Manager of
Exhibitions and Collections at a small art museum/historic site, I do
all of these things.

Many small museums do stretch their dollars by hiring people with a
generalist's background who later become "specialists" in areas of
necessity within the museum organization. Sometimes the most unique mix
of qualifications can distinguish your credentials from hundreds of
others, so even your elective courses can make a difference, if you make
the most of them. I was hired here (as a curatorial assistant) in the
late 80s. I was fresh out of grad school (MA in fine arts, studio major,
minors in art history and theater arts) and had solid gallery/museum
experience from part-time, volunteer and internship work at my school.
But, experience with computers and setting up a small computer facility
(remember this was 1988) was the extra skill that got me the job.

That said, I've seen the penalties of being regarded as a
jack-of-all-trades.  If you are ambitious and want to be a curator, it
may help to decide early if you prefer hands-on work to dealing with
ideas, because most often, it is difficult to find a position that
allows you to combine different specialties.  If you will be unhappy if
not involved with CONCEPTS, consider going forward with grad school
toward an eventual Ph.D. in a chosen specialty.

Perhaps the field of conservation allows for the best mix of
academic/educational/preservationist focus?

Hope this helps...
Nadine