Hi Margaret,

You mentioned that you have some museum experience but is this the first 
"real job" that you're looking for at a museum?  Did you get your MA right 
after your BA?

While I might catch some flack for saying this, I think that everyone who 
intends to get an MBA should work in their chosen field first.  The on the 
job experience that you would bring with you to your MBA program would make 
what you're learning immediately applicable to actual scenarios as opposed 
to merely theoretical.

For example, if, while in one of your classes, you are presented with a case 
study about an institution that is facing a crisis of some sort, with 
experience as a manager at a museum you're able to imagine how that same 
crisis might affect your own institution.  As a result, I believe you will 
get more out of the program than if you hadn't been working in the field.

That being said, I think the value of an MBA, at this point in your career, 
would also depend on what area of the field in which you plan to work--that 
would also inform what type of MBA program you should choose.

Back to the original question of what you need to secure a job...experience 
helps, as does patience, persistence, etc.

But that's just my 2 cents.

Regards,
Shana O'Hara
(someone who used to work as an arts manager but sold out and is working for 
'da man)
[log in to unmask]

>From: Margaret Peachy <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Museum-L: MBAs in Museums
>Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2005 08:21:54 -0800
>
>Hi,
>
>I recently completed a museum studies certificate
>program and am now applying for jobs.  While I do have
>some experience working in museums, it doesn't seem to
>be enough to gain employment.  I know there are a lot
>of development jobs available right now, and so I am
>considering getting an MBA to help me break in to that
>end of museum work.  Does anyone know if getting an
>MBA would indeed increase my chances of employment, or
>would it be a waste of time and money in the museum
>world?
>
>Thanks!
>Margaret
>
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