After grad school (MS in American Studies with Museum Studies focus), I
decided I wanted to return to Alaska and take my chances at finding a job. I
also had 4 years experience as a registrar at a history and art museum (a
job I lucked into by being in the right place at the right time and asking
questions of the right person) and about 5 years assisting a conservator in
private practice.  I'm single and had to make a living, so I took non-museum
contract jobs then made myself known at the Anchorage Museum.  I made a
lunch date with the director and she brought along the two curators.  They
had no open positions, but I was able to meet them and let them know me.  My
contracted employer allowed me to work my hours around volunteering at the
museum a few hours a week.  I attended the state museum conferences.  There
I met other museum directors and curators.  After a while I learned I could
find short term contracts with museums that I supplemented with non-museum
contract jobs.  Eventually one of my museums was able to budget for a
full-time curator.  I applied and was offered the job.  This may not work in
other areas of the country or world, but it worked here for me.

Good luck.

Jerrie Clarke
Curator of Collections
Valdez Museum
http://www.alaska.net/~vldzmuse/index.html

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