Open Forum

Dear All

What is the one thing you have learned in life that you would not have thought  applied to museum work? I am wondering how life teaches us things that we don't expect to apply to other things in life and work. I believe that life can do this and that we all learn from it. I enjoy all responses.

Thanks,

Rachel

It's perhaps a lighthearted answer but any time I am asked a version of this question, especially in a career day type of situation talking to students, I tell them they will still need to do plenty of math. From budgets to making wall layouts for exhibitions, I use math all the time, including percentages, fractions, and conversions between inches and centimeters. Obviously calculators, the internet, and now AI help, but you have to know what you are asking.

Dear All

What is the one thing you have learned in life that you would not have thought  applied to museum work? I am wondering how life teaches us things that we don't expect to apply to other things in life and work. I believe that life can do this and that we all learn from it. I enjoy all responses.

Thanks,

Rachel

It's perhaps a lighthearted answer but any time I am asked a version of this question, especially in a career day type of situation talking to students, I tell them they will still need to do plenty of math. From budgets to making wall layouts for exhibitions, I use math all the time, including percentages, fractions, and conversions between inches and centimeters. Obviously calculators, the internet, and now AI help, but you have to know what you are asking.

Dear All

What is the one thing you have learned in life that you would not have thought  applied to museum work? I am wondering how life teaches us things that we don't expect to apply to other things in life and work. I believe that life can do this and that we all learn from it. I enjoy all responses.

Thanks,

Rachel

Dear All

What is the one thing you have learned in life that you would not have thought  applied to museum work? I am wondering how life teaches us things that we don't expect to apply to other things in life and work. I believe that life can do this and that we all learn from it. I enjoy all responses.

Thanks,

Rachel

Retail experience and not because of the gift shop - more for conflict resolution with event vendors and people wanting to touch objects too large to go behind an affordable display case. 

Knowing the acronyms for all 50 U.S. states. 

Basic math (including averages and percentages), AI, surveys to gather information to benefit the public, basic construction experience for exhibits (using a level, hammer, screwdriver, nails...), etc. 

Dear All

What is the one thing you have learned in life that you would not have thought  applied to museum work? I am wondering how life teaches us things that we don't expect to apply to other things in life and work. I believe that life can do this and that we all learn from it. I enjoy all responses.

Thanks,

Rachel