Open Forum

Hello, I wanted to get some advice about my future. Right now, I am working on getting my master's in Museum Studies (I will be graduating at the end of the year). I have a bachelor's in Fine Arts. As I finish, I have also been applying to jobs both inside and outside the museum field for the past two years. I love museums and have enjoyed learning about their impact on visitors and wish to be part of that, but I am having second thoughts about this career path due to a lack of communication from employers. The majority of the jobs have ended without a response, while a few (about 4 or 5) have ended with a no. I feel like none of these jobs actually want to hire, and it's become extremely frustrating. I believe my options will expand when I graduate (as I will be able to apply to full-time jobs outside my state), but I don't want to continue with this wait of uncertainty. I am apprehensive about exploring another career path, as I'm about to graduate and do not wish for all this work towards my master's to be for nothing. I want to be able to apply the skills and knowledge I have to a job (curation, program design, museum education, exhibition design, collections management, etc.).

I have volunteered at a local historic museum for four years and have learned a lot by working hands-on with museum objects while working towards my master's. I have applied to a few library jobs, but it seems these libraries only want people who are in a library program. I do not have the funds to pursue a master's in library science. I know I can do these jobs, but with the constant rejection, I end up doubting if this is the right career path for me. 

I do have some limitations (I am a type-1 diabetic), but I do not let these limitations stop me. The only limitation I do not have control over right now is school and my current location. I am also aware that the job market is horrendous at the moment, but I do not wish to wait for it to improve (as it is uncertain when that will happen) or let my skills go to waste. 

Would it be wise to continue down this path (keep applying and wait till I graduate to apply for out-of-state/full-time jobs), keep looking beyond museums, or consider a different path (and which paths would work for me)? Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated!  

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Lauren Montgomery
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Hi Lauren, 

I was in a similar place to you until about 6 months ago. Based on my (admittedly limited) experience, I think you are doing what you should be doing! If this is what you are passionate about, I would continue down this path as long as you can stand to. The rejections definitely get discouraging. I was talking to a more established museum professional after a lecture a little while ago and she said that in her presentations to students, she includes a slide with pictures of all of the restaurants/coffee shops/retail shops she worked in while she did unpaid internships and volunteer work at museums- I took a lot of comfort in that. If there is another career path that looks interesting, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't explore that as well! Don't wait for the job market to be "perfect" or for the "perfect" job but instead, continue to cobble together opportunities-either through volunteering, internships, workshops, lectures-that build your experience and resume. 

I hope some of this is helpful- I know it is disheartening but know that there are people going through the same thing!!!

Sabina

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Sabina Ward
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Hi Lauren, many job seekers in many industries are facing the same situation, it sucks! Don't stop applying to what interests you, you may find content from Alli Schell (museum pro career coach) encouraging, she is on LinkedIn and has podcast episodes. The podcast Interview Boss and their website is also a great resource. As you have a fine art background, I also recommend the podcast The Love The Loves You Back - it helped me reappreciate why art is important to me after finding it difficult to weave it into my life after graduation. Check out roles in local government/councils that may be related to public art, registrar roles, heritage management etc. Remember that everyone applying for the roles you are also "loves museums" and wants to contribute to their impact; what makes you the best candidate is extensive experience and specialised skillset, be specific here with what you will bring to the role (Historic research, database management, preventive conservation, object handling/housing, describe the impact you were able to create through exhibition design etc.). It is totally wise to continue on your path, all the energy you have put into your studies will reward you eventually. Reach out to connections you have through your work/study experience and ask if they would be open to a chat over coffee sometime, you can ask them about their own career path and discover many ways to enter the sector, one day they might have a job opening and remember the friendly chat you had too:) Best of luck! 

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Grace Lange
Conservation Technician
Auckland
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Dear Grace

I understand, I myself completed a masters degree in a museum studies program at San Francisco State. I know that it can take a while to get your foot in the door. Don't give up keep persisting and I think your experience should be an asset.

Good luck,

Rachel Alschuler

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Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-30-2026 04:54 PM
From: Grace Lange
Subject: Guidance About Career Path in Museums

Hi Lauren, many job seekers in many industries are facing the same situation, it sucks! Don't stop applying to what interests you, you may find content from Alli Schell (museum pro career coach) encouraging, she is on LinkedIn and has podcast episodes. The podcast Interview Boss and their website is also a great resource. As you have a fine art background, I also recommend the podcast The Love The Loves You Back - it helped me reappreciate why art is important to me after finding it difficult to weave it into my life after graduation. Check out roles in local government/councils that may be related to public art, registrar roles, heritage management etc. Remember that everyone applying for the roles you are also "loves museums" and wants to contribute to their impact; what makes you the best candidate is extensive experience and specialised skillset, be specific here with what you will bring to the role (Historic research, database management, preventive conservation, object handling/housing, describe the impact you were able to create through exhibition design etc.). It is totally wise to continue on your path, all the energy you have put into your studies will reward you eventually. Reach out to connections you have through your work/study experience and ask if they would be open to a chat over coffee sometime, you can ask them about their own career path and discover many ways to enter the sector, one day they might have a job opening and remember the friendly chat you had too:) Best of luck! 

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Grace Lange
Conservation Technician
Auckland
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Hi Lauren,

I think you are experiencing something SO many of us have gone through. My last year of grad school (Museum Studies) I was applying to so many places and I can say that I experienced the same as you - never heard back, got a "not moving forward" email months later, etc. Museums move a bit slow when it comes to hiring, so don't take this as something about you. In my current role, the time it took from start of the first interview to being onboarded was like 5 months and that doesn't include the timing of when I applied lol but that has been a norm. I do think it will greatly help once you are out of school and can move. One thing I have learned, at least for my type of position in museums, is that I need to be prepared to go where the job is. It sounds like you have some great experience being cultivated outside the coursework, so I am sure you will find a fit somewhere that is right for you but it could take time. As you said, the job market is harsh right now especially given the cuts to grant funding. I had made a backup plan for myself and gave it a timeframe when I was at the end of my grad school days, of what I would do and where I would go if I didn't have a museum or nonprofit job secured after x amount of time (ie I am fine working at my old retail job as an interim and can stand to do so for at least 6 months). Maybe making a backup plan like that could help settle how you are feeling about all this? I will say - luckily I didn't have to enact that plan and I got a great job offer within like... 2 weeks or so of graduating haha. But the plan helped calm my nerves a bit at the time. Anyhow, all that is to say you aren't alone and I hope you choose to stay in the museum world!

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Carly Wickell
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Dear Ms. Montgomery:

May I suggest that your volunteering is absolutely the most important thing you can do at this stage! As your time permits, find a local museum volunteering situation(s) while engaged in searching for permanent paid museum positions. Such an effort continues to build your cv with additional contacts & experience & demonstrates your commitment to the field.

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Paul C.Thistle
Director/Curator (retired)
Stratford, Ontario
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Lauren - don't give up! When you are available full-time and willing to relocate, your chances will be better. Also, considering your Fine Arts degree - have you thought about arts conservation at all? You need chemistry and to get into a program, but that could be an adjacent career for you in the time it would take you to get a M.A. in something else. Then you could clean art or repair items for museums (or the public).

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Cathy DeSilvey
Registrar/Curator
VMI Museum System
Lexington VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 8/4/2026 3:51:00 PM
From: Cathy DeSilvey
Subject: RE: Guidance About Career Path in Museums

Lauren - don't give up! When you are available full-time and willing to relocate, your chances will be better. Also, considering your Fine Arts degree - have you thought about arts conservation at all? You need chemistry and to get into a program, but that could be an adjacent career for you in the time it would take you to get a M.A. in something else. Then you could clean art or repair items for museums (or the public). And just throwing this out there - you could also write a grant for the museum you volunteer with to fund your position there while you look for full-time employment elsewhere (this is a long shot but not unheard of, you would need a project or exhibit proposal).

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Cathy DeSilvey
Registrar/Curator
VMI Museum System
Lexington VA
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Thank you - I didn't mean to offer unethical advice, my thought was that the museum + volunteer would draft a grant proposal for a project that the volunteer could work on - I edited my original post.

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Cathy DeSilvey
Registrar/Curator
VMI Museum System
Lexington VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-05-2026 10:40 AM
From: Vivian Zoe
Subject: Guidance About Career Path in Museums

I agree that having completed the degree will place the applicant in a better position, but I firmly disagree that a volunteer or intern should write a grant to fund their current "position."  While it is, indeed, not unheard of, many problems follow this path.

First, it's considered in the fund raising milieu, unethical to seek funds to pay yourself.

Second, if the grant is acquired, what about continuity?   Will the organization be burdened with continuously replacing the funds once exhausted?  Will the organization have a project or program started, but impossible to complete, now needing to seek another, similarly skilled, replacement to satisfy the goals of the grant?

As a museum director (or board member) I would not endorse such a plan.

If, on the other hand, the organization, through its (long- or short-range) planning, determined that there is a need for a paid position and seeks a grant (even though grants for salaries are rare) to hire someone skilled, I would endorse.

Vivian F. Zoë

860-965-1883

https://www.artworkbyvivianzoe.us/

"When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace." Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus

Original Message:
Sent: 8/4/2026 3:51:00 PM
From: Cathy DeSilvey
Subject: RE: Guidance About Career Path in Museums

Lauren - don't give up! When you are available full-time and willing to relocate, your chances will be better. Also, considering your Fine Arts degree - have you thought about arts conservation at all? You need chemistry and to get into a program, but that could be an adjacent career for you in the time it would take you to get a M.A. in something else. Then you could clean art or repair items for museums (or the public). And just throwing this out there - you could also write a grant for the museum you volunteer with to fund your position there while you look for full-time employment elsewhere (this is a long shot but not unheard of, you would need a project or exhibit proposal).

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Cathy DeSilvey
Registrar/Curator
VMI Museum System
Lexington VA
------------------------------

Thank you!

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Vivian Zoe PhD
Executive Director, retired
Gales Ferry CT
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-05-2026 10:54 AM
From: Cathy DeSilvey
Subject: Guidance About Career Path in Museums

Thank you - I didn't mean to offer unethical advice, my thought was that the museum + volunteer would draft a grant proposal for a project that the volunteer could work on - I edited my original post.

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Cathy DeSilvey
Registrar/Curator
VMI Museum System
Lexington VA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 08-05-2026 10:40 AM
From: Vivian Zoe
Subject: Guidance About Career Path in Museums

I agree that having completed the degree will place the applicant in a better position, but I firmly disagree that a volunteer or intern should write a grant to fund their current "position."  While it is, indeed, not unheard of, many problems follow this path.

First, it's considered in the fund raising milieu, unethical to seek funds to pay yourself.

Second, if the grant is acquired, what about continuity?   Will the organization be burdened with continuously replacing the funds once exhausted?  Will the organization have a project or program started, but impossible to complete, now needing to seek another, similarly skilled, replacement to satisfy the goals of the grant?

As a museum director (or board member) I would not endorse such a plan.

If, on the other hand, the organization, through its (long- or short-range) planning, determined that there is a need for a paid position and seeks a grant (even though grants for salaries are rare) to hire someone skilled, I would endorse.

Vivian F. Zoë

860-965-1883

https://www.artworkbyvivianzoe.us/

"When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace." Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus

Original Message:
Sent: 8/4/2026 3:51:00 PM
From: Cathy DeSilvey
Subject: RE: Guidance About Career Path in Museums

Lauren - don't give up! When you are available full-time and willing to relocate, your chances will be better. Also, considering your Fine Arts degree - have you thought about arts conservation at all? You need chemistry and to get into a program, but that could be an adjacent career for you in the time it would take you to get a M.A. in something else. Then you could clean art or repair items for museums (or the public). And just throwing this out there - you could also write a grant for the museum you volunteer with to fund your position there while you look for full-time employment elsewhere (this is a long shot but not unheard of, you would need a project or exhibit proposal).

------------------------------
Cathy DeSilvey
Registrar/Curator
VMI Museum System
Lexington VA
------------------------------

Having spent the past thirteen years doing a lot of interviewing and hiring positions for our museums and historic sites, I've had the opportunity to interact with a lot of early career professionals in your position.  I second what some of the other respondents have suggested that you need to be prepared to go where the jobs are and you should absolutely continue to volunteer in museums, especially if you have the opportunity to work on and deliver a specific project or set of objectives.  This shows that not only did you participate in this work environment, but you demonstrated accountability for results or deliverables.  Proposing projects in collaboration with an institution you're volunteering with is a great win-win idea to achieve this.

While volunteering and internships can provide valuable experience and define you from other applicants, they won't necessarily pay the bills.  Taking a non-museum job doesn't need to be a permanent path!  There are many non-museum jobs that require many of the same skills and can provide you with a breadth of experience that can also set you apart from other applicants.  Working outside of museums can be a continuation of your education and preparation for the museum job you do eventually get if you frame it that way.  The majority of museums are small to medium sized institutions in which staff need to wear multiple hats and smart hiring managers know that work experience in retail, customer service, marketing, staff supervision, insurance, etc. are all ancillary assets to their organization's operations regardless of the role you're applying for.  

I hope some of this is helpful and wish you the very best of luck.  Don't be discouraged!  You're on a journey that doesn't actually have a destination, so just make every step an experience you can learn from and take something away from to support your next steps.  

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Ellen Busch
Museum Services Director
Texas Historical Commission
Austin TX
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Hi Lauren, it might be worth considering some of the exhibition consultancies and exhibition designers who work with museums to develop content.  They have a need for curators, content developers, interpretation specialists.  Even though you don't have experience at that level, they have project coordinators, project administrators etc. and you could begin at that level and hopefully move up.  This route would also give you very wide experience because they work with multiple museums on many different subjects.  Have a look at AAM's membership and see what companies there are and follow them.  I am in the UK so I don't know which firms in the USA to suggest. Another alternative route as a springboard into a museum is to look at communications companies who work in the cultural sector, they need people like you who can 'sell in' a story of an exhibition to the press etc, the same also for marketing.  I didn't have a relevant degree (I did languages) so when I was trying to get my foot through the door, I thought about what non-curatorial skills do museums require? I thought about marketing and PR, so, in order to get transferable experience before trying to get into a museum, I worked in PR and Marketing for L'Oreal for three years. This gave me experience that I could take into the museum field and my first job in the museum world was in the Natural History Museum, marketing their dinosaur exhibitions to museums internationally. I am sending you positive thoughts and hope that you find your way in soon. All the best, Lizzy

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Lizzy Moriarty
Hindon
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