Dear Kate,

I completely agree that the front lines are great place to start...but few
graduate with the goal of becoming a secretary or front desk attendant, because
so many of us want to be behind the scenes playing with objects.  So many
newly-minted graduates with degrees in art history (indeed, many of the students
I advise) look solely for curatorial positions, and I just wanted to demonstrate
that there are a lot of fantastic experiences to be gained by looking in
unexpected quarters, which may be more realistic for them as a starting point. 
That's why I was specific about including the job title: some overlook
secretarial or support job (mine was specifically a TYPING secretary, perhaps
inferior to the type that was allowed to file!).  I also agree that you should
never underestimate the power of a secretary or an assistant: they  always hold
the keys to the castle, and are most often the keepers of the institutional history!

I especially appreciated hearing from all of you who took the time to share your
first experiences in the museum field...it is really helping me paint a
realistic (and at times inspiring!) picture for my students, many of whom are in
the second-semester-of-senior-year-oh-my-gosh-I've-got-to-find-a-job-phase.

Director, Sweet Briar Museum
Assistant Professor, Arts Management
Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, VA 

Quoting Kate Long <[log in to unmask]>:

> Gee, it hurts me to hear that the culture makes you think you needed to
> "put your pride on hold" to be a secretary.  In many industries, it's
> one of the all-time great entry level jobs.  To avoid the "lowly"
> stereotype, many prefer the term "Assistant" (civil service titles not
> withstanding).  In any case, I agree the desk is a place to get a
> mentor.  You also get a broad range of exposure and have a chance to get
> straight with your ego.  Also, in actuality, secretaries (or assistants)
> RUN THE WORLD.  Make friends with us.  Respect us.  Or your call will
> never go through.
> :-)
> Kate Long
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Christian Carr
> Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 11:23 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: help with smithsonian applications
> 
> Hello--as always, I've been following this particular museum employment
> thread
> with interest.  When I graduated from college about 10 years ago, there
> was no
> website where you could go to search for jobs at the Smithsonian--you
> had to
> call in (and the call was not toll-free) and wade through interminable
> menus and
> options read by the world's slowest talker to hear the details of jobs
> that
> might be suitable.  My average monthly phone bill my last semester of
> college
> was astronomical!
> 
> However, one day a lightbulb clicked on and I realized that the National
> Gallery
> of Art, though a federal institution, was not a Smithsonian entity.
> They had
> their own human resources department, and their own job line, which was
> still
> not toll-free, but infinitely easier to negotiate.  While going down the
> roster
> of entry-level jobs, a position as secretary for one of the curatorial
> offices
> came up.  I put my pride on hold, applied for the job, and spent two
> years
> working for a brilliant curator who still serves as a model scholar and
> professional I try to emulate.  A lot of doors have opened as a result
> of that
> "lowly" job.  I guess that what I am trying to say, as many others have,
> is that
> willingness to start at the very bottom can help you eventually float
> closer to
> the top, even in the government bureaucracy.  Instead of focusing solely
> on
> "curator" jobs, be openminded as you look, and consider jobs that may
> bring you
> into contact with the curators and departments where you'd like to work.
> There
> may not be funds to hire the third museum technician, but someone has to
> answer
> the phones and open the mail.
> 
> All best, and good luck to all those currently seeking employment,
> Christian Carr
> 

> 
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