Open Forum

Any advice on how I can get into an entry-level museum position as a grad student?

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Erik Marcinik
Intern/Student
Program in Museum Studies - New York University
New York NY
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Yes. Don't consider that any job is beneath you. It's great that you are going to have a graduate degree from NYU, but don't expect to get an assistant manager position at the Guggenheim as your first job. Start small, with part time or even volunteer positions; if you can't find one at a large museum where even those positions are competitive, look for a small house museum. Any experience will be good experience. Your degree will help you climb the ladder faster, but it's not going to propel you very high up on your first job. You'll have to demonstrate your skills and your motivation, and that's what will help you move forward, either in the same organization or, if it's small and there is not a lot of room for growth, in another. 

Be prepared to bite the bullet at first. as a docent or educator or admin assistant or archive volunteer (depending on whether you're interested in the front-line part of museums or the back-office part). Get involved in as many projects and ideas as you can. If you show dedication, grit and leadership, it may only be for a couple of months.

You may also want to consider going to a local museum conference (e.g. MANY) - but that only works if you're willing to put yourself out there and engage in meaningful conversations with strangers. Don't go with a stack of resumés; go to learn and talk with people about what they like (museums), not about you. 

Hope this helps. Good luck!

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Axel Estable MBA
Director of Education / Curator of Curiosity
Thanksgiving Point Institute
Lehi UT
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-23-2019 10:57 AM
From: Erik Marcinik
Subject: Employment

Any advice on how I can get into an entry-level museum position as a grad student?

------------------------------
Erik Marcinik
Intern/Student
Program in Museum Studies - New York University
New York NY
------------------------------

Original Message------

Any advice on how I can get into an entry-level museum position as a grad student?

------------------------------
Erik Marcinik
Intern/Student
Program in Museum Studies - New York University
New York NY
------------------------------

Check out Emerging Museum Professionals:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/nempn/

Much of the discussion there is about museum employment, especially finding and navigating it.  While it is a group for those "emerging" into the field, many of the participants are more "seasoned" and often have good insight and experiences to share. 

Good luck!

       Michael

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Michael Holland
Principal/Owner
Michael Holland Productions

Redmond, WA USA
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-23-2019 10:57 AM
From: Erik Marcinik
Subject: Employment

Any advice on how I can get into an entry-level museum position as a grad student?

------------------------------
Erik Marcinik
Intern/Student
Program in Museum Studies - New York University
New York NY
------------------------------

Good suggestions from all who have responded. I would add looking into any alumni group that NYU's program has if you haven't already done so. In addition to MANY, consider joining the Midatlantic ASsociation of Museums (MAAM) or New England Museum Association (NEMA). Both have affordable student memberships, and NEMA has a special interest group for Young and Emerging Professionals (YEPs) https://www.facebook.com/NEMAYEPs/

Good luck!
Gail

Gail Nessell Colglazier, Principal
Executive Searches for Museums
Londonderry, NH

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Gail Nessell-Colglazier
Executive Search Consultant
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-23-2019 10:57 AM
From: Erik Marcinik
Subject: Employment

Any advice on how I can get into an entry-level museum position as a grad student?

------------------------------
Erik Marcinik
Intern/Student
Program in Museum Studies - New York University
New York NY
------------------------------

Ditto what Axel Estable wrote.  Also, consider State Park systems.  Many states have state historic sites and museums as part of their larger park system, as we do in Missouri.  Some states (like Missouri) don't always do a good job recruiting through museum/public history related sites, so you may need to visit state websites or even specific department/park system sites to find job opportunities.  Some states have registers of applicants interested in certain jobs/job classifications.  You essentially send in your resume and they'll contact you when a job that you may be interested in comes up. Others have more typical application processes where you submit resumes for a specific opening.  I don't know about other states, but here about 60% of our current employees are eligible for retirement in the next five years, so there will be opportunities to start in a part-time position (e.g. summer interpretive aide) and end up managing a historic site in just a few years.

Small museums/sites are a great opportunity to learn about every aspect of the museum field from collections care to administration, but keep your ego in check.  In the span of a month as a site manager with (20+ years of public history experience) I've done everything from clean the toilets to meet with Governor.  Small staffs means there is no job too big or too small.     ​

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Tiffany Patterson
Director
Missouri State Museum
Jefferson City MO
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-23-2019 10:57 AM
From: Erik Marcinik
Subject: Employment

Any advice on how I can get into an entry-level museum position as a grad student?

------------------------------
Erik Marcinik
Intern/Student
Program in Museum Studies - New York University
New York NY
------------------------------

Here's a grab bag of time-tested advice: Look at smaller institutions for internships, volunteer opportunities, limited term projects, thesis projects. We often host students in these positions at my small museum, and--from what we hear--the students that work with us have a chance to gain more different skills because the work is not narrowly focused as it often is in large museums. We try to craft projects that students can put their names on, so that not only are they gaining skills, but they also have a defined portfolio piece when their internship or volunteering opportunity is complete.

We try always to pay our interns as well, but not every small institution can do that--check with your college or university to see if they have a program to help fund your work and/or see if the institutions you're talking with might be willing to write a grant application to fund you.

The best approach when building a resume is to gain a variety of skills, but then also have a specialty that jumps out at hiring institutions. Our newest hire had organized programs, led teen summer camps, and developed specialized tours; the throughline was work with teens, which we really needed.

Hope this helps!


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Elizabeth Stewart PhD
Director
Renton History Museum
Renton WA
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-23-2019 10:57 AM
From: Erik Marcinik
Subject: Employment

Any advice on how I can get into an entry-level museum position as a grad student?

------------------------------
Erik Marcinik
Intern/Student
Program in Museum Studies - New York University
New York NY
------------------------------

Original Message------

Any advice on how I can get into an entry-level museum position as a grad student?

------------------------------
Erik Marcinik
Intern/Student
Program in Museum Studies - New York University
New York NY
------------------------------