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.