r/MuseumPros

Hello, I hope everyone is having a good day/evening ^^. I would like to ask if you have any advice for me given that:

- I've just recently graduated from Materials Engineering in my home country (I am based in Asia), and

- Because I was under government scholarship during my undergrad, I am contractually obligated to work/provide return-of-service for 4 years (meaning I cannot move/work abroad).

In my program, we were taught a wide range of materials characterization and failure analysis techniques that I think (from my limited research) can be applicable to field archaeology/museum conservation. My program had courses in general, analytical, and organic chemistry as well.

I first got interested in museum work when a professor offhandedly mentioned an alumni who characterizes foreign debris in artifacts found at archaeological sites. Several of my professors also worked as consultants for heritage building and/or art paintings conservation programs. Right now however I find myself more interested in conservation of display objects i.e., ceramics, metals, textiles. (Edit: I have briefly also entertained as well a career in paleontology, but I feel that's a different ballpark entirely..!)

I've read through several posts in this subreddit and it seems to be a consensus that graduate studies are necessary. Because of my return-of-service contract, I am considering pursuing a diploma of archaeology while I work in my country (which may transition into an MA if I choose). Only my home university offers this. Another university offers an MA in cultural heritage studies, but I have not done enough research yet to fully consider it. I could also earn a diploma in archaeology and take an MA abroad instead after my 4 years are done.

There is also the matter of work itself. Entry-level positions are more lucrative in tech/industry at the moment, but I've read here as well that work/volunteer experience at museums are very important. I am sure that opportunities for the latter exist, but not enough to provide for my day-to-day. If I do end up working in a field emtirely unrelated to conservation, I would like to know as well what skills I should cultivate on the side/transfer over to into conservation in the future.

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TL;DR i'm a slightly overwhelmed Materials Engineerimg graduate who would like to know if:

(1) a non-US/EU diploma in archaeology would be a good first step to a career in museums object conservation, and

(2) what skills should I focus on growing within 4 years of (possibly) working in the tech/manufacturing industry?

Hi! I’m based in Australia and have a keen interest in family history and contextual history. Just wondering what job would that suit?

I’ve looked into genealogy courses but they don’t seem to really exist in Australia/aren’t recognised? Is there any countries where that is a proper university degree with job prospects? Or am I looking in the wrong place… I’d love to work in a place like NAA or a museum/gallery (or similar overseas).

I’ve also thought about Anthropology but no one’s been able to explain to me what that actual entails and the sort of job prospects out there that aren’t niche/extremely hard to get into.

Is it worth me studying either of those? Or both?
I just don’t wanna be stuck doing a job I don’t enjoy for the rest of my life and this is a field that I find interesting.

I’ve wanted to be a historian/archivist for as long as I can remember…

Does anyone have any experience/ideas/advice? Where would I start?

I’m 31 years old and I lost ten years of my life to a really toxic relationship. I’m starting over from scratch and I’d really like to build a life that I actually love and I’ve always wanted to work in a museum or gallery setting. I’ve always loved the idea of working in curation or conversation, but I’m open to other things as well.

I don’t think I can afford to go back to school and get a degree in museum studies. And it’s not like I have any work experience, is there any other way to get into this kind of work ?

I appreciate any time and advice you have to give. Thanks 🙏

I feel like museums are largely moving beyond the traditional display format into a lot more interactive and virtual stuff. But who are the companies behind this shift in most museums, as I'm learning these aren't typically done by the museum staff itself. I know a few - Giant Spoon (NYC, LA), Momentum Worldwide (NYC), NeoPangea (Philly-based) - but who are the others? Who are the main players in digital/virtual museum displays (and are any of them beyond the coasts)?

So my museum is pretty small, I am the only full time employee and we rely on our advisory board to volunteer to lead tours, stamp hands at events and pass out flyers.

Apparently a decade ago, we had lots of people volunteer but that population has aged out. I set up a page on idealist and that has gotten scattered interest but I need more people so we don't have to ask the same people all the time.

All the board members have exhausted their social networks. We have approached senior centers and have flyers there but it hasn't yielded any interest.

I'm open to ideas and non monetary enticements.

Thanks!

Hi all, four months ago I graduated college with a degree in economics (B.A) and a degree in Painting (B.F.A) and I’m struggling to find any decent paying positions in a museum or fine art gallery in NYC/Westchester area.

With the two degrees I figured I’d be a strong applicant for entry level positions for museums or galleries, but after 100+ applications through indeed, NYFA, and directly sourcing open roles at galleries and museums, I’ve had a total of 2 interviews at two places that are not even close to the fields I mentioned. I have been applying to “entry level” positions as an administrative assistant, development assistant, studio assistant, gallery assistant, and similar roles.

During college I held several jobs as a receptionist, server, a resident assistant and a gallery assistant (I helped at the entrance of the gallery, aided with installs, built pedestals and other stuff), I’m thinking maybe I’m lacking the administrative experience? I was an Executive Assistant at a small arts non for profit in Westchester around 3 years ago but even after highlighting that in the resumes I haven’t landed my first interview yet.

In all honesty, I have been avoiding a lot of positions that do not require a degree or the ones that pay $17 an hour since I have to pay rent and for my car, groceries etc. and cannot live off of that amount. I make decent money at the restaurant I work at but have been thinking of quitting to apply to work in guest services at MoMa (basically a tour guide that sells memberships) since that pays well but it is only part time, and the hours they require overlap with my hours at the restaurant.

About two months ago I started working as a studio assistant for an artist in Brooklyn once a week, and although she’s helping me by referring me to friends, most of that work is as an art handler, and in college I was told that this line of work might pigeon hole me into the trade, limiting my options when looking to apply to jobs in the administrative side of things.

Any tips or advice on how to get my foot in the door would be welcome. Any alternatives to indeed and LinkedIn to look for work in this field? Am I being egotistical by not applying to the lower paying jobs?