Two things I have noticed about trying to get a job in the museum field:  first, people love it if you have grant writing experience.  Second, talking to anyone and everyone is a great thing.
 
I have had several job offers since working at my job because I have asked intelligent questions, been willing to do almost anything, and listened.  In addition, I have taken several grant writing and disaster planning courses (disaster planning courses would be a great benefit because there is a huge focus on that since Katrina).
 
I got my current job by being an interpreter part-time for minimum wage.  My boss was desperate for a curatorial assistant and asked me to do an inventory.  He thought I was flighty and didn't want to give me too much.  But I began doing research on the furniture and methods of inventory and curate-ing and he started giving me more jobs (which included registration, housekeeping, reporting, disaster plans, grant writing, volunteer training, and more).  Now I work for him full-time and have been getting job offers from other organizations (museum, consultant, non-profits) that we work with on a regular basis.
 
I have a friend who has been working as a volunteer at our site.  She talks to everyone as if they're her friend or family.  As a result, she knows practically everyone in our 5 city region and beyond.  She knows historians, researchers, board members, authors, reenactors/living historians, museum staff, school teachers/administrators and more.  She's had many job offers and people pay her for bibliographies.  From her example, I now take the time to listen to the people I work with (in-house, and outside of our organization) and I talk and ask smart questions.  And I offer to volunteer my time.  It seems people remember that. You can meet lots of people while you're volunteering.
 
So talk to people, even if they can't give you a job.  Be nice to every one you can stand to be nice to.  Ask questions, even if you're pretty sure you know what they're talking about.  Oh, and take grant writing and disaster planning courses.  I've had several potential employers say, "I see you've had experience with grants and disaster planning."
 
Meredith
Curatorial Assistant
 
Virginia Beach Historic Houses
3131 Virginia Beach Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Phone: 757-431-4000
Fax: 757-431-3733
Email: [log in to unmask]

 

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