[BCMA] Advice

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Julie,

Like you, I am on a quest to find that job in a museum. I graduated in 2012
with my Masters and since then I have continuously looked for a permanent
job in the field.

1. Volunteer whenever possible. I realise you said that your time is
limited with working full-time and completing volunteer work for your
daughter. But I know from places I've volunteered at, any time that you can
offer is welcomed by the staff there. It also helps develop your network
and quite often I get sent job opportunities that I've might have missed on
my searches.

2. Be flexible (whenever possible) on your job location, Vancouver
generally has a very competitive market for museum and heritage jobs. The
first (paid) job I had in the field meant I had to move to Edmonton, which
was a very rewarding experience and I gained both experience and friends
while working. That was an entry-level position which led towards an
internship and then followeda 6 month contract as Assistant Manager at a
National Historic Site.

3. Don't be afraid to cross-train. You can spend a long time searching for
that perfect job that you studied for and won't consider other jobs in the
field. I've continually worked at becoming more rounded as an employee so
I've never turned down the opportunity of gaining whatever experience I
could get.

4. Be prepared for contract work. Finding a permanent position is extremely
difficult and quite often positions are only offered during summer months
and generally last from May to September.

5. Most importantly, don't get downhearted. I feel that trying to break
into the museum field is one of the hardest professions to crack. You might
be sending resume after resume on applications and not having any response
or you may get an interview but become the 2nd best candidate. Sometimes
it's a frustrating adventure, but I believe that at the end of it is a
rewarding career.

Although I am still in search of a permanent position, it has been
following what I recommend that got me that contract work. I wish you the
best of luck on your search, if you would like to know anything more from a
fellow job searcher, feel free to contact me.

Gareth Evans
gevans.ca at gmail.com
Tel: 604-317-3450
Website: thankevansitshistory.wordpress.com

On Sun, Oct 12, 2014 at 6:43 PM, Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv. <
bcma at lists.vvv.com> wrote:

> Hello all,
>
>
>
> I hope I have done this right, it is my first time posting to a listserve.
>
>
>
> I am looking for advice on finding a job in a museum. I graduated from
> university last December with a degree in archaeology with a minor in
> museum and heritage studies. I would really like to work with artifacts
> again curating and researching. I am just unsure how to break into the
> museum scene. I do not qualify for YWC employment so the only experience I
> have at the moment is my practicum and field school I did for my degree.  I
> wish I had time for lots of volunteer work, but as I now live in Vancouver
> I am working full time and I do volunteer work for my daughter so my time
> is limited.
>
>
>
> I could really use some advice on what avenues any of you may have taken
> to have gotten any sort of entry level work in a museum.
>
>
>
> Thank you so much,
>
> Julie Thomas
>
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> BCMA at lists.vvv.com
> http://lists.vvv.com/mailman/listinfo/bcma
>
>
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