Hi Erin,
I also have lots of experience looking for museum positions in the DC area, and I can tell you that it is extremely difficult. However, there is a secret to it that I have learned - internships. Museums tend to hire former interns for paid positions because they have experience in that department and are "familiar faces". While you may have to spend some months working without pay, that is your best chance for getting your foot in the door. Networking is your only other option, in my opinion, and even that has limited success here.
Best of luck,
Amelia
-----Original Message-----
From: "Mahoney, Laura" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Oct 20, 2003 2:57 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Job Search Advice
There seems to be a problem with the link I listed. Try this one:
http://www.preservenet.cornell.edu/internncpearchive.html
Laura
-----Original Message-----
From: Mahoney, Laura
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2003 2:54 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Job Search Advice
Hi Erin,
Well... hate to break it to you, but the job market in Washington, DC is
extremely tough. I graduated GWU in 1996 with a MA in Museum Studies.
Unless you have some excellent connections, getting a museum job in the
Washington, DC area is next to impossible. You are competing against 30+
GWU museum studies grads every year as well as everyone else in the nation.
I think the average museum job in this area received at least 200+
applications. You will improve your changes of gainful employment if you
broaden your search to other parts of the country. Sorry to be such a
downer, but I speak from years of experience searching for jobs in the
Washington, DC metro area.
Now for the good news... the Department of the Interior, which includes the
National Park Service, offers PAID ($12/hour) full-time internships in the
museum, historic preservation, and history fields. OK, so you may not want
an internship, but these internships do help to get your foot in an
otherwise closed door. Here again, I speak from personal experience. I did
an internship with the National Park Service, which led to a contract
position, and then to a full-time Federal job. I wouldn't have gotten that
job if it wasn't for my connections. For a listing of internships and how
to apply go to http://www.preservenet.cornell.edu/intern2002ncpe.html (this
is last year's information, but I'm sure that you can e-mail to request
updated information.
Best of luck!
Laura
******************************************************
Laura M. Mahoney
Grants Administration Specialist
Institute of Museum and Library Services
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 223
Washington, DC 20506
(202) 219-3684
(202) 606-0395 FAX
[log in to unmask]
*****************************************************
-----Original Message-----
From: Erin Spahr [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2003 2:30 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Job Search Advice
Hi All-
I'm a graduate student i history and fairly new to this listserve, so I
wanted to introduce myself, and ask you seasoned professional for some
advice. I am currently in my last semester at George Mason University in
Fairfax, Va, where I concentrated in Applied History (historic preservation,
archives administration, museum studies, etc.), and I am searching for a
career job. So far, I've been looking for about six months, and have been
unsuccessful in even obtaining an interview. I am interested in a variety of
areas, which include: museum education, historical research, archives,
historic resource management, historic preservation, and exhibit design. I
am searching for a job in the Washington, D.C. metro area (DC, Maryland, and
Northern Virginia).
Would those of you who have time please review my resume and a sample cover
letter (which I've copied and pasted in below) and give me some tips on how
to improve them. I'm sure since I'm not getting any calls in response to
them, that they can be improved. Also, is there some professional way to
communicate the fact that while I may not have an extensive amount of
experience, I am willing to start at an entry level position, work hard, and
learn the ropes? I guess I just need someone to notice my resume and give me
a chance, so how do I do that?
Thanks in advance to those of you who are able to help me. I really
appreciate it.
Erin Spahr
Bowie, MD
Sample Cover Letter:
Dear Sir or Madam,
My name is Erin Spahr, and I am sending a copy of my resume to you in
response to your advertisement to fill the position of... I feel that my
many experiences in the museum and preservation field, my advanced education
and understanding of preservation theory, plus my enthusiasm for history and
my drive to be the best at everything I do, would make me an excellent
candidate for this position.
In addition to completing classes on various American history topics and
time periods, I have also taken classes on Historic Preservation and
Archives Administration. My primary focus throughout my graduate program has
been on early American history. I have completed classes on the Peoples and
Cultures of Colonial America, the Life of George Washington, Themes in US
History, and the Study and Writing of History
I have a mix of experience in preservation, research and education which is
shown through my work experience. I have served as a Historic Interpreter at
George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, educating visitors at
points of interests and at hands-on displays. Later, I returned to Mount
Vernon and completed a graduate school internship in their Education
Department. As part of my internship I participated in design-phase meetings
for Mount Vernon's planned 7,000 square foot education center, currently
being designed by Christopher Chadbourne and Associates. I also assisted in
the development of a Strategic Plan for Outreach to Schools and participated
in roundtable meetings of museum education professionals and teachers to
discuss possible improvements to the plan, and edited and revised a Guide to
Mount Vernon for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Through my internship, I
learned how to work with various teams on a single project, how to perform
research for exhibits, how to make professional presentations to groups, and
how to evaluate my own work and the work of others.
.
Please find attached my resume. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with
you to further discuss this job opportunity, as well as my career goals.
Sincerely,
Erin M. Spahr
Resume:
Erin M. Spahr
Education
Towson University: Bachelor of Science
Graduation: May, 2000
George Mason University: Master of Arts in History Expected
Graduation: December, 2003
GPA: 3.641
Relevant Coursework
The Study and Writing of History
The Age of George Washington
Themes in United States History Peoples
and Cultures of Colonial America
The Interwar Years: 1918-1939 Research and Writing
Seminar: American Culture
Historic Preservation
Administration of Archives and Manuscripts
Honors
Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society Phi Sigma
Pi National Honor Fraternity
Computer and Office Related Skills
Proficient in Microsoft Word
Proficient in Microsoft Excel
Extensive Internet skills
Typing Speed: 65 wpm
Knowledgeable in the use of a Facsimile Machine, Copier, and Scanner
Experience
Mount Vernon Ladies Association Mount Vernon, VA
Education Department Intern (2003)
* Assisted the Associate Director of Education in the development of a
Strategic Plan for National Outreach to Public Schools.
* Prepared materials for and attended meetings with Education and
Museum
professionals to discuss and further develop Mount Vernon's outreach
programs.
* Collected and analyzed surveys of "George Washington's Biography
Lesson"
and the Hands-On-History area.
* Assisted staff members in their research for the exhibits in a
planned
Education Center.
The International Spy Museum Washington, D.C.
Visitor Services Representative (2002- 2003)
* Provided customer service to all visitors.
* Provided accurate information about the Spy museum to all visitors.
* Completed ticket sales transactions, greeted visitors, controlled
queue
lines, and monitored visitor flow through the museum.
Mount Vernon Ladies Association Mount Vernon, VA
Historic Interpreter (2002)
* Welcomed visitors and conducted guided tours of George Washington's
home.
* Explained to visitors how George Washington's home reflects his
character
and accomplishments.
* Presented accurate and interesting information to visitors, answered
questions, helped monitor and control visitor flow through the Mansion.
Bed Bath and Beyond, Dulles, VA
Customer Service Clerical (2001- 2002)
* Oversaw all customer service functions within the store.
* Responsible for training all store employees in Product University.
* Responsible for the training of four district Customer Service
clericals.
* Responsible for the processing of all customer special requests.
* Periodically acted as Front End Manager, supervising cashiers, and
authorizing transaction overrides.
Mentzer Media Services, Inc., Towson, MD
Media Buyer (May, 2000-March, 2001)
* Assisted the Vice President of Radio and Print Buying.
* Created radio schedules for clients using Strata.
* Contacted radio station sales representatives for rates and station
information.
* Confirmed receipt of schedules, packages and traffic instructions.
Eisner Communications, Baltimore, MD
Intern (February, 2000-May, 2000)
* Evaluated television and radio advertising schedules.
* Input radio and television availabilities into SmartPlus.
* Reconciled broadcast invoices.
_________________________________________________________________
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