How to work in a museum?

I'm wondering what sort of qualifications you'd need to have a decent position working in a museum. I've been really interested in science and ancient history since I was young (particularly norse and Egyptology) and have always loved museums so much. I'd love to work in a museum but I have no idea realistically how to make that work.

Ideally, I would have a good pay, not barely getting by but living comfortably. When I've searched up the graduate salaries for things like archaeology they're not quite where I want to be at, although I recognise many graduate salaries these days aren't great.

I wouldn't mind getting into it from a management point of view but of course that doesn't guarantee you'd end up in museum management, and being in management in some random business is not the life I want to have at all.

If anyone's got any idea of how to help or what specific things to research to get a better idea, please do advise me

Reply 1

threeportdrift

Careers Forum Helper

Original post

by njkwde

I'm wondering what sort of qualifications you'd need to have a decent position working in a museum. I've been really interested in science and ancient history since I was young (particularly norse and Egyptology) and have always loved museums so much. I'd love to work in a museum but I have no idea realistically how to make that work.
Ideally, I would have a good pay, not barely getting by but living comfortably. When I've searched up the graduate salaries for things like archaeology they're not quite where I want to be at, although I recognise many graduate salaries these days aren't great.
I wouldn't mind getting into it from a management point of view but of course that doesn't guarantee you'd end up in museum management, and being in management in some random business is not the life I want to have at all.
If anyone's got any idea of how to help or what specific things to research to get a better idea, please do advise me

There's no such thing s as good pay in the heritage sector unless/until you get to your 50s or so and are Director of one of a few national museums or galleries. If you are motivated by money, this is not the sector to consider.

Most junior jobs the museum sector are very competitive and very many will have a Masters degree. The common path is an undergrad in History, English, HoA, then a masters in Museum Studies, Heritage etc.

On top of that, like conservation, environment, animal welfare roles, you will need evidence of volunteering. Museums tend to have large volunteering teams doing gallery guides, public engagement, education type roles. It's a good way to work out if you have the sustained skills and interest, and to learn more about the roles and career paths in the sector.

Reply 2

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

As above, unfortunately the heritage/arts sector has lower pay due to the "passion tax" where a lot of people will accept a lower paycheque to do something they love. Invariably as above the first step is to get your undergraduate degree and preferably at least a masters if not a PhD and during that process, try and get involved with volunteering wherever possible, and if you get the opportunity to do some research projects involved in a museum or similar (e.g. your dissertation) take the chance. Also look for paid work opportunities - even e.g. seasonal gallery attendant roles, to help give you some concrete work experience in the sector (which may also give you some insight into the overall functioning of a museum too), as well as more substantive internships or similar.

Depending on what specific areas you're interested in undergrad degrees in e.g. archaeology and/or anthropology can also be relevant.

But overall yes - if salary is an important consideration then the heritage sector may not be the best option unless you feel working in that sector is important enough to you to accept a lower salary.