So You Want to Work in a Museum?: (American Alliance of Museums)

A One-Stop Guide to Museum Careers People who love art, are fascinated by archaeology, or are history buffs may have considered the idea of working in a museum. But experience as a museum visitor reveals only the public-facing side of the museum, and not its complex, dynamic internal structure. So You Want to Work in A Museum? helps to demystify museums as institutions and to prepare prospective museum staff to explore the field further. After reading this book, readers will be able to: Understand how non-profit museums are governed, funded, and staffed, and how they define and meet their missions.Explore museum divisions and departments and specific roles within them—not just prominent roles like directors and curators, but also less visible ones like registrars, preparators, development officers, conservators, and more.Consider the contemporary function of museums, and how yesterday’s cabinets of curiosity have evolved into today’s community catalysts. Examine how the contemporary function of museums has affected the types of positions available and the work museum staff do on a daily basis.Look at the skills required for different types of positions, and how readers aspiring to work in those positions can best prepare themselves to land their dream jobs and be successful in them.Understand the benefits and potential challenges of working in a museum, andAccess a wealth of resources that will inspire further study of the field, and outline next steps to pursue a museum career.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: From Art to Zoology: Types of Museums Chapter 2: Organizational Structure Chapter 3: The Front Line: Visitor Services Chapter 4: Education Chapter 5: Working with Objects Chapter 6: Exhibitions Chapter 7: Conservation Chapter 8: Communications Chapter 9: Development Chapter 10: The Executive Office Chapter 11: Administration Chapter 12: Universal Skills and Distinct Pathways Chapter 13: Things I Wish I Had Known When I Was Twenty-Four: Opportunities and Challenges Chapter 14: Where Are Museums Going? Chapter 15: Resources

About the Author :
Tara Young is an experienced museum professional and a professor of museum studies at Tufts University. Currently an independent consultant, she has held positions at several museums on both coasts. Most recently, she served on the founding staff of the Museum of Russian Icons, in Clinton, MA, which received AAM accreditation in 2015. Tara has degrees in the history of art and architecture from Harvard College and the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership at Tisch College of Tufts University. She lives in Central Massachusetts.

Review :
With decades of museum work under her belt, Young is uniquely qualified to answer the titular question. Indeed, this is a thorough, thoughtful book that will be of interest to a variety of job seekers, from teens just starting to consider a path to subject specialists looking for a career change to committed potential museum workers who aren’t sure if a professional degree is necessary. Young begins by laying out different types of museums and explaining how different sizes of museum are organized and governed. The bulk of the book walks the reader through the typical museum departments (exhibitions, development, etc.) and details the most common jobs in each area. After describing job duties, she lists the skills, experience, and education necessary to get hired and, most helpfully, the personality traits most suited to the job as well as things to “keep in mind,” like the possibility of working weekends. Each chapter ends with a profile of a museum worker that describes their career path and the best and worst parts of the job. A realistic, practical guide. This title has been recommended for young adult readers- YA/S - special interest: Because Young covers all areas of paid museum work, this frank, thorough guide will be a useful addition to career collections serving teens. Tara Young is on a mission – a mission to excite people about the prospect of a museum career at a time when museums arguably most need diverse and creative talent. Aimed at aspiring museum professionals of all ages and backgrounds, Young grounds readers in the basics of museum types, structures, sizes, and challenges before diving into a comprehensive catalog of job titles. This book gives us a potent antidote to the struggles and difficult conversations facing museums today. This book shines a light on a needed path, supporting those who are considering a museum career journey. It provides a breadth of basic insights in order to encourage more intentional entry into the field. And, its candid approach should inspire a number of personal reflections.