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Be versatile
A 21st-century heritage professional is unlikely to spend much time luxuriating in a museum gallery wearing white gloves and a learned expression. The sort of work you can expect to do is increasingly diverse, so make sure you draw on as many of your previous experiences as possible. Rather than relying on your qualifications or your passion for history alone, prove that you have the practical skills demanded by the sector. Show you can research, lecture, project manage, supervise volunteers, handle historical objects, vacuum, wash up, serve drinks or sport a boiler suit with élan! Be prepared to do anything and you’ll seldom have a dull day.
Tamsin Babty, curatorial officer, Ironbridge Gorge Museums
Nurturing Worcestershire’s Treasures (NWT) trainee 2011-12
Take a 360-degree view of the sector
Developing a broad understanding of the sector will help you keep abreast of the latest developments and, crucially, help to identify training and networking opportunities. Access to a range of perspectives and best practice will help you decide where you, your skills and your interests “fit” within the sector. Get involved on social media, subscribe to networks and mailing lists, read journals, media articles and sector publications, and attend workshops, conferences and events. Keep your ear to the ground and get to know the sector.
Shabeena Anait, assessor of accreditation, Arts Council England
NWT trainee 2011-12
Learn about your audiences
Heritage involves roles that are by no means limited to the title of curator. The sector offers a fantastic range of fulfilling jobs from interpretation to fundraising. Understanding the ethos of object conservation is important but don’t stop there: seek opportunities wherever possible. By helping at a local youth group, I gained experience in working with young people and insight into the needs of a museum audience. A diverse skill set is attractive to employers. You’ll know if you’re choosing the right path by varying your experiences.
Etta Griffiths
NWT trainee 2014
Don’t let rejection get you down
It’s completely normal to feel down and despondent when an application or interview is unsuccessful, but the key thing is not to give up on organisations that have rejected you. Being turned down for voluntary roles can be particularly dispiriting, but it took me two separate applications to get one at the National Army Museum and it was definitely worth it. I was interviewed for tranche 2 of the Worcestershire’s Treasures placement at the cathedral in 2013 – I was unsuccessful, but had another attempt this year and am now delighted to be working there.
Tom Hopkins
NWT trainee 2014
Develop your networks
Establishing and cultivating a network of contacts is critical in developing your career. As part of my NWT traineeship, I spent a week working with the Museums Worcestershire collections team. I secured subsequent freelance collections work through contacts made during the week. Social media can also help keep your profile up, so be active on Twitter, write your own blog and keep your LinkedIn profile up to date; prospective employers will look at your profile to see what skills you’ve obtained. Attend events such as the Moving On Up conference and network while you’re there.
Kerry Whitehouse, freelance collections officer and duty officer with Museums Worcestershire
NWT trainee 2013-14
Volunteer
Volunteering is crucial for getting an entry level heritage job. Start as early as possible; it’s much easier to volunteer if you’re in education and have three days free a week, compared with when you’re in a nine to five. If you’re unable to volunteer in a heritage setting, think about other ways of obtaining transferable knowledge and skills – gain experience of things like fundraising and working with children, which can be acquired elsewhere. Awareness of different areas across the sector is also extremely valuable; it means that you can say with confidence what you do and don’t enjoy.
Rachel Murphy
NWT trainee 2014
Nurturing Worcestershire’s Treasures is a heritage traineeship scheme funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Skills for the Future programme
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