Hi Emily and everyone else,

 

I have a Master’s in history and taught at a state university for 7 years. I have been in museum education for four years. My first job required an MA and paid $10 an hour. I now make a little more, but far less than an education major fresh out of college teaching at the primary or secondary level.

 

I would check every possible jobs list (aam, aaslh, global museum, museum-l, merc, and state and local museums associations) every day. Be prepared to take an entry level job and work up. And…for the most part…be prepared to make far less than your talents, degrees, and experience warrant.

 

And

GOOD LUCK!

 

 

Dear List:

 

I’ve been reading your comments for some months now, and I appreciate all of the help and support that you give one another.  And I was hoping that some of you might have some guidance for me.

 

The truth is that I’m looking for a job in a museum.  I’ve been applying for jobs all over my area for the past three years – ever since I started taking museum studies courses -- but I can’t quite seem to do whatever it is that gets someone hired into the museum field. 

 

I’ve heard a lot of advice through the years.  Everything from it’s all about meeting the right people to if I could just hold out just a few more years and maybe someone will retire or die and I could get one of their jobs.  I’ve written and rewritten my resume and cover letter.  I’ve tried to show my enthusiastic, and I’ve done as much volunteer work as I can for many years.  But the only jobs that I’ve gotten either don’t pay a living wage (i.e. allow me to pay rent, buy groceries and have some kind of health benefits) or are seasonal.  

 

So, I decided to do something that I have never done before and ask all of you.  What else can I do?  What’s the silver bullet?  How did you get your jobs?  When you’re hiring someone, what do you look for?  

 

I appreciate any advice you can give me based on your experiences.  I’ve purposely left my own skills and experience vague because I don’t want to seem like I’ve got my hand out looking for a job from one of you.  But, if it would be helpful to know a little more about me, I can always send you my resume. J Just kidding.

 

Emily Milot