Holly,
I can truly sympathize with your experiences and many of us have had these
frustrations and still do (mememememe). I was ready to give up on museum work
after trying to secure a full-time permanent position for 8 years now (though
I first applied for a museum job when I was 17, back in 1979). Just last
month, after careful consideration, I decided that not only is museum work a true
passion, but I am good at what I do, I have dedicated an tremendous amount
of time and $$$$, and can't afford to change careers at this point either.
I'm afraid you opened a can of worms with me! But anyhoo, I totally disagree
about there not being any jobs right now. I have had several rejections this
year alone -ok, I didn't get the jobs but there are jobs. And we can
anticipate even more with the older baby boomers being on the brink of retirement.
For some positions I have applied for, I am at least retained on a candidates
list so there's still some hope for me.
I have competed against candidates who have even failed required exams. I
lost out on one of these jobs to someone who never catalogued an object before
whereas I have done 10's of thousands! Grantwriting - I have it. Public
programs, I'm there. And I could go on about the well-rounded experience that I
have.
So what's the problem? And I have gone over this a million times but
recently I have been able to truly narrow down the issues (mostly, that which are my
personal doings or not doings) and have plans to deal with these issues.
So here's a few things that I came up with, and they are based on my
personal experience (with examples):
*Well connected: How else can somebody who has an unrelated Bachelor's
degree and no museum experience - who had flunked an exam, etc., still get a
$35k/year museum job with full bennies? Beating out 3 other candidates who had all
the qualifications and more! I have scored high (usually upper 90's to 100%
on these exams).
This is so important obviously! And just about everything else I am trying
to do to better my situation is directly or indirectly related to this.
*Do what is required, and DO NOT go beyond and above that!!!: I am so glad
I finally figured this one out and am still working on putting it into
'action'!
While I was still an undergrad, I was not offered work that others had been.
So I volunteered for a few weeks and busted my behind. I got the paid work.
I had suspected that I wasn't initially hired because I was a
'non-traditional' student, being at the ripe old age of 31 and a single mother.
When, after several months I found out I was being paid less than everyone
else and asked for a raise, the owner of the company told me that the only
reason she hired me to begin with was because I worked so hard. She also told me
that the reason she didn't initially hire me was because I was different.
Her reasoning behind this was that she needed retain a camaraderie for her crew.
It was hard, but paid off for me - I got the experience I wanted (and a
small raise though I was required to take on more responsibility), but I had to
tolerate being 'different'.
I carried this 'above and beyond' work ethic into my next job. For 3 1/2
years I worked like this. I again found that the only reason why I got the work
(and subsequent grants, contract work and opportunities) was because of my
hard work. Problem was, that other people were getting the same (pay,
opportunities, etc) and didn't have to do nearly as much.
Again, I made the best of it and wouldn't trade the experience for the world
except that:
Doing the 'extra' work can be stressful and start to affect you and others.
Stay within what is 'required' of you and don't do the cleaning, refinishing
furniture, grantwriting, etc., if it isn't what you and others are doing or
expected to do.
Another reason why this is 'bad' is because it sets you apart from others as
a team player. I have had a few co-workers become hostile with me, for one
thing. And why does that happen? Because you are working your butt off, and
they do not want to! It is far easier for them to make your life difficult for
you, then it is for them to actually do the work! In their eyes, you are
making them look bad, etc so they are going to make it their goal to do the same
to you.
I know it sounds ridiculous but it is true. However, this should not happen
in a professional workplace where you are working among your peers. In these
cases, I was not working in a place with high or even good professional
standards for someone like me who was not a permanent, full-time employee ('at
will', temporary and/or working on contracts/grants). It is ok to work hard and
over-extend yourself, etc., but wait until you are a full-time, permanent
employee.
Interviewing, skills and experience: I am so bad at interviews because I
have 'stage fright' sooooo bad. I can make a good impression otherwise, but as
soon as I open my mouth -OMG! I stutter, stammer and the lisp that I got rid
of years ago reappears.
Telephone interviews are the worst (I revert to my Massachusetts accent when
I'm nervous). I even had an interviewer (telephone, just a few months ago)
ask me how I would be expected to talk on the phone with the general public if
I can't get through an interview! And trying to explain that I have spoken in
front of large audiences and I had extensive experience communicating via
the telephone....
Since most of the jobs I have gotten were for jobs I didn't have to
interview for, it is important for me to connect with people who are familiar with my
work, etc. But these jobs aren't usually full-time, permanent positions and
that is what I am looking for.
Back when I 1st started college, I enrolled in a theater course in order to
overcome my shyness and stage fright. I loved it and went on to act in several
other community theater productions, including one show where over 3,000
people showed up and another which was an award-winner ('Best production' and 4
other awards in a community theater competition).
I never got a part in a play from an audition. All the plays I acted in were
by invitation only (either I got the part outright, or I was invited to
read). So much like the jobs I've gotten.
But this can only get me so far and I need to get all my cards in place. I
am working on updating my skills (I've been out of the loop) and everything
else. Now that I am over 40, I can also play the discrimination card (no sah!! I
don't think I would do that, but if it's blatant, I would consider it).
If I am given the chance, I am a real hard-worker and have a lot of skills
to offer. Another thing I'm working on is my resume. Not to toot my own horn
but I have accomplished a lot and I am starting to have concerns that potential
employers may simply not believe I've done what I've done. There are
overlaps in the dates of my employment because I have worked 2, 3 even 4 jobs and
projects at the same time, etc. And there are other areas where I should
embellish my accomplishments and skills.
I am learning to cater my CV to positions I am applying for. If I apply for
a job that doesn't require grantwriting - I'm thinking of leaving those off
and rather I should use the room to further explain the experience and skills I
have that they are looking for.
OK I have gone on way too long here and I could continue. It helps me though
to reiterate these issues and perhaps someone else can find them to be
helpful!
If anyone is looking to further their education, etc., I will never
discourage one from doing so regardless of my own personal experiences, etc. I have
looked into the public history programs at Trinity College and the U of Nevada
and am hoping to get a full-time job with some educational benefits so that
I can further my education. If you have the opportunity, etc., go for it!
All my best,
Pam
In a message dated 8/22/2005 10:22:54 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
Normally I do not respond to the list, but I feel that I should in this
case. Kathryn do not get a masters in public history. Yes, I love history too
and I also have a masters in public history, but there are no jobs right now.
You've got to have a back up plan. You may be able to find something when
you are finished with school, but there are hundreds of people trying to get
a job in a museum or library as well and it is coming down to a matter of
luck. No I am not a disgruntled underpaid public historian. I am going to
apply to get my PhD. so at least I can teach what I love and volunteer in an
museum, but I am lucky to do that because I married somebody with an outstanding
career. I have been in museum work for nearly ten years and just recently
made it over the poverty level of earnings. I just do not want to see anymore
people suffer because they have high expectations when they finish school
only to find out that they too are going to have to work at a bookstore or home
depot in order to make the rent.
Pamela Silvestri, Museum Assistant
Northeast States Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
Shenipsit State Forest
166 Chestnut Hill Road
Stafford Springs, Connecticut 06076
(860) 684-3430
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