Some Museum Studies programs do gather/provide information on how many
students have found full time or part time work, but not whether that
work is in a museum or outside the field!

Rachel Smith
[log in to unmask]


On Thu, Feb 21, 2013 at 12:40 PM, Linda Norris <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I'll take a contrarian view at the moment.  How many museum studies programs
> disclose the full details about how many of their students find, within a
> reasonable amount of time, a real job, not an internship, part-time or short
> term work?  Is there any way to compare those statistics among programs?
> Why does the field not ask for that?
>
> And,  as brought up in a conversation among colleagues at the Small Museum
> Association conference this week,  are museums complicit somehow in focusing
> on internships and contract positions, because it allows them to do more
> with less?   And if so,  how does gender play a role and how does the field
> (that's you and me) feel about it?
>
> Linda
>
>
> On Thu, Feb 21, 2013 at 12:49 PM, Shana West <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>> I can appreciate what you're saying, Jamie. But honestly, I wonder if it
>> isn't more of a financial hardship on these grads to not have jobs than to
>> spend a few hundred bucks on an interview. I mean, I wouldn't do it for the
>> first interview. But at the second interview level (first via phone), they
>> have a better sense of their chances and it could be a justifiable expense.
>> Especially if they live in cities that are crowded with museum studies
>> graduates--there might not be 10 but rather hundreds of local applicants for
>> every job. But they also wouldn't want to just move to a new place without a
>> job offer in hand just to become a local--especially to cities with fewer
>> opportunities or high living expenses. They're caught between a rock and a
>> hard place.
>> Cheers,
>> Shana
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Feb 21, 2013 at 8:52 AM, Jamie Smith <[log in to unmask]>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> From the Museum perspective, I think a small to medium museum is not
>>> going to consider an out-of-State candidate if they are located more than a
>>> reasonable day trip away from the museum they apply to because the museum
>>> does not have the resources to reimburse each candidate for travel and they
>>> do realize that these candidates are just starting out and do not have the
>>> means to fly in for an interview for an entry level job either. That is why
>>> we keep our search State wide for entry level positions. Please keep in mind
>>> that we typically receive at least 50 resumes for such positions, all of
>>> which have basically the same level of education and experience and at least
>>> 10 of these candidates are fairly local, so there is no shortage of
>>> qualified local candidates. If we did advertise nationwide for such
>>> positions, I would really have a hard time as a human being asking a
>>> candidate to fly in knowing, at this stage in their career, it would cause
>>> them financial hardship when they are competing against so many other
>>> candidates with basically the same credentials. I would really concentrate
>>> my search locally, try and attain an entry level position and then take it
>>> from there. Certainly when you are ready to move on to a higher position,
>>> the search parameters widen and you can cast your net wider as well.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Jamie
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
>>> Behalf Of Shana West
>>> Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2013 9:27 AM
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: SPAM-MED: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Employment Search Frustrations for the
>>> recent graduates
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I have found it puzzling when museums I applied to in other states
>>> weren't interested because I wasn't local. I moved across the country for my
>>> first, entry-level museum job. Many graduates would jump at the chance for a
>>> full time job, regardless of location. So when grads have come to me asking
>>> for advice on applying out of state, I've told them to say they're already
>>> planning on moving to that city independently of the job (yes, it's a white
>>> lie). That way, the hiring museum won't feel like they have to pay expenses.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I haven't tried it myself, but I was in a situation where I was actually
>>> moving to a new city and applying for a job. I don't think I would have been
>>> considered had I not already been planning a move. In fact, I'm pretty sure
>>> they asked me on the phone interview, "And you're definitely moving here?"
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Just an idea.
>>>
>>> Shana
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Feb 21, 2013 at 8:08 AM, Jamie Smith <[log in to unmask]>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi All:
>>>
>>> I have posted positions on local sites before, such as MANY (Museum
>>> Association of the State of NY) and I have interviewed and hired candidates
>>> from these postings. Perhaps you need to look at State museum organizations
>>> rather than national organizations to post your resume on. I know from the
>>> Museum perspective, we are not interested in a nationwide search to fill an
>>> entry level position, so we keep the posting local, or at least at the State
>>> level.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Hope this helps and good luck,
>>>
>>> Jamie Smith Quinn
>>>
>>> Executive Director
>>>
>>> FASNY Museum of Firefighting
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
>>> Behalf Of Laurie A Sedicino
>>> Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 11:08 PM
>>>
>>>
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Employment Search Frustrations for the recent
>>> graduates
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I would also be interested in the answer to Matthew’s question.  I have
>>> to agree that - at least for museum field jobs – I have never once
>>> experienced museum search committees using posted resume sources…and I have
>>> never been contacted through these sources.  I would like to hear along with
>>> Matthew if you think these are good uses of such spare job search time and
>>> energy??
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> Laurie
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ________________________________
>>>
>>> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
>>> Behalf Of Matthew White
>>> Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 4:52 PM
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Employment Search Frustrations for the recent
>>> graduates
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I have a question for the group that is tangentially related.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> There are several professional organizations that invite those looking
>>> for a job to post their resumes and particulars. (I have posted at both AAM
>>> and AASLH. I am sure there are similar sites in other niches of the field.)
>>> I have also posted on Linked-In. As anyone who has ever done this knows, it
>>> can be kind of time consuming to enter and keep current.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Has anyone ever gotten contact through one of these services? An
>>> interview? A job?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> For those of you who have hired recently, did you use these services? If
>>> not why not?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> What about Linked-In?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Personally, I know a lot of people in the job market and even a good
>>> number who hire and I have never heard of ANYONE even being contacted
>>> through one of these services, let alone get a job.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Does anyone think these are good uses of spare job search time and
>>> energy?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Matthew White
>>>
>>> On Feb 20, 2013, at 4:34 PM, Ashley Watson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Hello all,
>>>
>>>    I want to thank you all for sharing your experiences and the advice.
>>> I already decided to open my search wide open to start somewhere.   I had
>>> two job interviews that took the place last November but didn't get the job.
>>> I received a PERSONAL email from a museum to inform me that my professional
>>> package has been forwarded directly to the museum director.  So it certainly
>>> passed the human resources wall. So with that, should I check with them for
>>> the status progression?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> One more thing:
>>>
>>> In response to Allison Bott,  despite my name giving an implication that
>>> I would be a female, I am actually a male. That is alright.  I will read the
>>> article in the link you provided as it may apply to me as I am also in the
>>> minority as i am Deaf.   So I face the same challenges as others who are in
>>> the minorities.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Ashley Watson
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Feb 20, 2013 at 4:24 PM, Jillian Shoblock <[log in to unmask]>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> I have been applying since December 2011 when I graduated with my MA in
>>> Museum Studies an have only had 2 interviews. Do I get frustrated a lot, yes
>>> but I haven't given up hope yet. I do still have an active social life and
>>> work in management in retail. Is that what I want? Definitely not. I intern
>>> at a museum that I love and would love to be able to work at. But can't
>>> afford to hire me so right now I am getting a little of what I love to do.
>>> What I have found is trying to stay positive even though I have applied to
>>> well over 100 positions all dealing with collections management and most
>>> with history, since that is one of my undergraduate degrees, is what keeps
>>> me going. Try to enjoy your life outside the museum an continue to visit
>>> museums. If you can't find a job in I e and have to work elsewhere then
>>> volunteer so you still get your fill. I know it sucks, trust me all my
>>> friends have full time jobs and are "living the life" but I have to believe
>>> that my time will come. Also my one friend keeps telling me to look at
>>> higher Ed jobs like academic advising if you have a masters. Just a thought.
>>> Good luck and keep your head up!
>>>
>>> Jillian
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>>
>>> On Feb 20, 2013, at 3:58 PM, "Jentzsch, Tracy"
>>> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>
>>> > Ashley, for you and others searching for job leads, I would recommend a
>>> > free resource we offer through the University of Delaware's Museum
>>> > Studies
>>> > Program.  MuseWeekly is our weekly electronic news that provides job
>>> > posts, internships, conferences, calls for papers, announcements and
>>> > news
>>> > related to all things "museum".  We never rent or sell our list, and
>>> > there
>>> > is always a plethora of good leads.  You can sign up for this free
>>> > resource by going to our website, www.udel.edu/museumstudies and filing
>>> > in
>>> > the three question form on the index page.  Good luck to you.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > Tracy H. Jentzsch
>>> > Staff Assistant, Museum Studies Program
>>> > University of Delaware
>>> > 302.831.1251
>>> > Www.udel.edu/museumstudies
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > On 2/20/13 3:49 PM, "Ashley Watson" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> Hello,
>>> >>  I graduated with masters in the museum studies at Syracuse University
>>> >> last May and have not found a job yet despite aggressively applying
>>> >> for
>>> >> various openings within my experience and skill range. I have
>>> >> completed
>>> >> an internship at National Museum of Natural History in the exhibits
>>> >> department and is currently a zooarchaeological/collections intern at
>>> >> the
>>> >> Museum Support Center till this May.   Any recent graduates here that
>>> >> have the same frustrating experience?   Those internships certainly
>>> >> help
>>> >> keep me sane professionally and personally but I certainly need to
>>> >> begin
>>> >> LIVING. I want to add one thing that I was more than qualified for one
>>> >> position at National Museum of Natural History but didn't break
>>> >> through
>>> >> the annoying human resources "wall". My colleague who was qualified to
>>> >> the maximum also applied for the same position got the same result.
>>> >>
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>>
>>
>>
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>
>
>
>
> --
> [log in to unmask]
> lindabnorris.com
> 607-829-3501     Treadwell, NY  13846
>
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