We are supporting this annual event to promote the importance of good careers guidance and help inspire the next generation of museum workers.
Ever wondered what it takes to be a curator? What experience do you need for a museum job? Read on to hear first-hand from museum professionals in fields from conservation to gardening!
This week we also launch a new free resource to help young people understand what careers are available in museums and what they involve: A Guide to Careers in Museums and Galleries.
What advice would you give to young professionals starting out in the sector? We know this is only a snapshot of the jobs available, so we’d love for you to join in the conversation on Twitter.
Will Tregaskes, Museum Co-ordinator at Cynon Valley Museum
What was your route into the cultural sector?
My route into the sector began as a Visitor Services Assistant at the Roman Baths, Bath, as I earned money to fund my masters. Although briefly working as an archaeologist, it was here working at the Roman Baths where I found my love for working with people and began to focus on a career in front of house in museums.
What advice would you give young people starting their careers?
Get involved in the sector through social media and don’t be afraid to go on training courses outside of your current role or to apply for funding to attend training or conferences. You are part of the sector so utilise what is available and don’t worry about not knowing what part the sector you want to work in. I didn’t know until I started working front of house.
Miranda Lowe, Principal Curator at the Natural History Museum
What was your route into the cultural sector?
I loved all aspects of science, so I went to university studied for an Applied Biology degree which gave me skills to work in a laboratory. I moved to work for what is now the Food Standards Agency, a government department. I started searching for a permanent job by reading New Scientist magazine which led me to my full time job at the Natural History Museum as an Assistant Scientific Officer (nowadays called an Assistant Curator). After many years I progressed to become a Principal Curator looking after and studying the museum’s historical crustacea and cnidaria collections.
What advice would you give young people starting their careers?
There are youth meet up groups within museums that you can get involved with on weekends or holidays. Visit museums and galleries with your friends and go on the really cool tours behind the scenes as you might even get to talk to people that work there which will help you network. Make sure your personal online profiles are professional and up to date as you never know who may be looking to offer you a training opportunity or a job in the sector!
Bayley Francois Vernal, Young People Skills Programme Apprentice at London Transport Museum
What was your route into the cultural sector?
Leaving school, I didn’t have an exact idea of what career path I wanted to follow. I found apprenticeships to be the best way of learning for me as they combine work and study. I joined the cultural sector by applying for my current role which is a Young People Skills Programme Apprentice at the London Transport Museum. I wanted to work with young people like myself and try something new.
What advice would you give young people starting their careers?
One quote I follow is ‘All knowledge is good knowledge’. This reminds that anything I learn or the opportunities I take will always be beneficial to me throughout my journey.
Natalie Brown, Conservation Manager at the National Archives
What was your route into the cultural sector?
I discovered Art Conservation at 16 and knew right away that’s the field I wanted to work in. As most conservation courses are taught at a post graduate level in the UK, I first studied a BA in Art History and interned in a conservation studio, then competed two post graduate degrees in Conservation and Heritage Science. I am now completing my PhD in Heritage Science.
What advice would you give young people starting their careers?
People who work in conservation are incredibly passionate about their work and understand that it is difficult to break into the sector. Don’t be afraid to reach out to professionals for advice and to find out about work experience opportunities.
Tasha Brown, Front of House Officer at Royal Pavilion & Museums
What was your route into the cultural sector?
I started my career on the Museum Futures traineeship run by the British Museum in which I gained on-the-job training on a year-long placement. With this experience and various small volunteer roles, I started a front of house role soon after my traineeship ended.
What advice would you give young people starting their careers?
Expanding your network is key. I find Twitter a useful platform to ask advice from other museum professionals and to keep updated on new opportunities, jobs and initiatives in the sector.
Tony Butler, Executive Director at Derby Museums
What was your route into the cultural sector?
I was the first person in my family to go to university and studied History and Welsh History at Aberystwyth. After graduation, I decided volunteer in Ceredigion Museum during the day. I worked full time in Burger King in the evening which paid the rent and living. The museum was a caring, stimulating environment: I loved the team-work and mutual support.
This helped me get a place on the Museology MA programme at UEA in 1996 during which time I volunteered to be ‘houseboy’ for the Museum Leaders Programme, looking after the 12 leaders’ breakfast, supplying papers and making coffee! When a job came up in one of their organisations, I applied for it and was successful – I was remembered! In the first five years of my career I worked in junior roles in Wakefield, London and the Isle of Wight, before I got my first managerial job in 2002.
What advice would you give young people starting their careers?
Always be curious – I want to know everything about everything; from how to lead people to new ways of connecting with audiences. Be energetic and think of yourself as a leader even if you are not in a senior role – you should lead beyond authority.
Practice at things you’re not good at. I’m a natural introvert so I work really hard on feeling comfortable in social situations.
Laura Bedford, Head of Programmes at Kids in Museums
What was your route into the cultural sector?
When I was at school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do but was interested in art history, so that’s what I chose for my degree. I then did a MA in Museum Studies through the University of Leicester’s distance learning course, whilst working full time at the National Maritime Museum as an Education and Interpretation Assistant.
What advice would you give young people starting their careers?
After I graduated, I wanted to be a curator as I wasn’t aware of the different roles available in museums. However, for my first museum job I worked on a children’s gallery running sessions for families and schools. It wasn’t until I started this role that I found out what the learning team did. My advice would be to explore different museum roles first through Takeover Day, volunteering, projects, or work experience.
Dominic Neergheen, Exhibitions Assistant at Wellcome Collection
What was your route into the cultural sector?
Whilst studying Politics and Modern History at the University of Manchester, I discovered the world behind the museum through a voluntary opportunity at John Rylands Library. This inspired my application to the New Museum School, where 16 of us completed a year traineeship at leading cultural institutions in and around London.
What advice would you give young people starting their careers?
My advice would be to take every opportunity which comes your way, be proactive and seek out alternative ways to get involved in the museum sector, as barriers to employment can be demoralising.
Kate Robinson, Head Gardener at the Charterhouse
What was your route into the cultural sector?
I became interested in gardening in the public sector when started volunteering at the gardens of a National Trust property. I then decided to study BSc in Horticulture at a specialist horticultural college that let me select modules focusing on garden history and public gardens.
What advice would you give young people starting their careers?
Being a gardener at a museum or public place is very different from working in private gardens. It can involve many things aside from the gardening, such as interacting with the public, taking tours, running workshops and working with volunteers and school groups. I would start by volunteering at a museum garden and chatting to the head gardener about their role which should give you an insight into if it is for you.
