Deborah,
I worked in a corporation for 5 years after completing my MA in Art History.
My job was to build a collection of art for the company's HQ, but I often
interacted with the company's foundation.  Depending on the mission of your
department, there are many avenues for using your background in education.
You might consider working with the local/regional arts community to
establish funding resources and workshops through the corporation.  You
could also consider creating a funding program that builds a corporate
collection of art for the benefit of your employees.  The program could be
supplemented with educational activities for the staff at lunch time, if you
have enough latitude in your job description.  The keys seem to be your
employer's flexibility and your own creativity.
By the way, I went from the corporate world, where I made excellent
contacts, to private consulting and then into a museum.  I'd be happy to
talk with you off-line about the transition.
Sincerely,
Celia Walker
[log in to unmask]


-----Original Message-----
From: Robert and Deborah Bain <[log in to unmask]>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.museum-l
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Saturday, October 31, 1998 3:43 AM
Subject: WANTED: Career Advice


>Hello.
>
>Since many museum professionals have entered the field in indirect
>ways,  I thought participants of this list might be willing to give me
>advice on a career decision I will have to make soon.
>
>I have a B.A. in art history and arts education, and I earned my M.A. in
>museum studies in May of 1997.  For the past five years, I have worked
>multiple part-time and temporary positions in order to stay involved
>with the non-profit sector while looking for a permanent job in museum
>education.  I have recently moved and have spent the past four months
>applying for positions, making contacts, and interviewing.  Meantime, I
>have been working temporarily for a corporate foundation.  The position
>has given me the opportunity to see funding from the corporate side and
>has kept me in touch with the non-profit sector, but my background is in
>education - not development.
>
>I am still waiting to hear back about a position in museum education for
>which I have interviewed, but the Director of the Foundation has asked
>if I would be interested in applying for the position which I am
>temporarily filling.  My questions are these:
>
>Has anyone out there entered the museum field from this direction?
>
>Could this be a good way to enter museum consulting?
>
>If hiring for a museum education position, would you see experience with
>a coroporate foundation as an asset?
>
>If hired, I would be in the unique position of being able to shape my
>job description.  I have considered working directly as a liaison with
>non-profits funded by the Foundation and possibly developing an
>evaluation component for long-term grants.  What other types of
>responsibilities or projects do you think could be carried out in such a
>position that would provide the professional development needed to
>eventually enter the museum education field?
>
>I appreciate any advice or insights you may have.  Thanks in advance.
>
>Deborah Bain