I get anywhere from 3-9 messages a week asking the same question: “What advice do you have for someone who’s interested in a museum career?” And I’m like, “you’re asking ME? I should not be influencing life decisions or giving career advice; I still consider beer a food group.”

So let’s crowdsource some advice and I’ll make one long post featuring the best advice, and whenever someone asks I can just direct them to that link.

When I reply to these questions I usually start with, “Internships. Do as many as you can with as many departments as you can, at different kinds of museums. Network and make friends and see how things really work.” Also, I think at this point in the economy (speaking from an American perspective) practical work experience is just as, if not more, valuable than a degree, though this is not a hard and fast rule. What do you guys think? What do you say to people who ask you about how to get started in a museum career? (Any kind of museum - all responses welcome).

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