Dear Christian-
In January 1999 as I approached my June graduation with my MA, I began my
job search. To prepare, I did the following that were very helpful in
getting my first position.
1) I looked at all types of positions and created a resume that not only
reflected my museum work but all the skills I had acquired through years of
retail work, years as a cake decorator, being an independent sales
consultant for a candle and accessory company, and working as a volunteer
with various organizations.
2) In addition, I reviewed by experience to date and focused my remaining
independent projects and internships to give me experience in as many areas
of museum work as possible
3) Created a portfolio that highlighted all of my experience in the museum
field included writing samples, work experience and exhibit development and
completion documents
4) I accepted that it would take patience, submission of many resumes, and
months of waiting to get a few interviews and my first job.
I felt very fortunate that it only took me 6 months to find and be offered
the position that I took with the Wisconsin Historical Society. One reason
that I was offered the position was that I had a wide variety of experience
both in and out of the museum field that would be beneficial to the historic
site that I worked at including previous inventory experience
(retail/business), organizational skills (business/retail), creative
development (cake decorating/sales consulting), leadership responsibilities
(volunteer/business/sales consulting), collections management, and
administration (both business and museum). In addition, being able to bring
in my portfolio to illustrate what I have done was invaluable. Today, few
museum professionals actually create a portfolio that highlights both their
work and their writing. I have found these invaluable in my interviews and
continue to update and add to mine.
I hope this helps.
Tracie Evans
Collections Manager
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Christian Carr [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2005 7:30 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Misguided applicants-a new angle
>
> As a professor of arts management who trains and counsels future museum
> professionals, this thread has been of great interest. I generally have
> my
> students subscribe to this list during the semester so that they get a
> good
> feel for the issues of the field--the good, the bad and the ugly!
>
> I just wanted to suggest a change of direction for this thread. Would
> anyone
> be willing to share the story of how they got their first job in the
> museum
> field, or how they got their current job? There's been lots of good
> discussion
> on what you *should* do while job hunting; real-life stories might be a
> useful
> and interesting addition.
>
> All best,
>
> Christian Carr
> Director, Sweet Briar Museum
> Assistant Professor, Arts Management
> Sweet Briar College
> Sweet Briar, VA 24595
>
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