Museum Moonlighters: Making it Work #5

Believe it or not, this is our fifth and final post in our “Museum Moonlighters” series. Today we have a profile from Stacey Fraser-deHaan, who currently works three museum jobs spanning two states, impressively managing to balance it all. As we conclude this series, I want to say a big thank you to all five of our EMPs that volunteered to share their stories and offer encouragement to others in the field. And a huge thank you again to our Guest Editor for the series, Mariko Chang, for the fantastic work she put into developing these posts. 

If you have ideas for additional professional profile series, please feel free to get in touch through the comments or at emuse.blog@gmail.com. 

Name: Stacey Fraser-deHaan
Place of birth: Lexington, Massachusetts
Favorite museum: Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle
Favorite food: I could never pick a favorite food – enjoy too many!

1) Where are you currently working, and what does your average week look like?
I currently maintain three positions: Program Coordinator at the Haverhill Historical Society/Buttonwoods Museum (Haverhill, MA), House Manager at the Wentworth Lear Historic Houses (Portsmouth, NH), and Museum Educator at the Ipswich Museum (Ipswich, MA).

On Monday & Wednesday, I work at Ipswich; Tuesday & Thursday at Haverhill; and Fridays (plus nights/weekends in the open season) for the Wentworth Lear Historic Houses. All three jobs share similarities and differences, so I really do not have an “average” week. However, my responsibilities tend to include some historical research and program development. For instance at Haverhill, we just received a foundation grant to conduct outreach programming at a senior center. This particular program includes having a local educator work with seniors on art projects such as collages.

2) How do you make it work, and is there ever any conflict in balancing multiple positions/responsibilities?
Most of the time, it is not too difficult balancing multiple positions. Occasionally, two museums will have an event on the same day and I will have to coordinate with staff or Board members as to which can spare me. Also, I try not to worry about the little things, like checking one museum’s email while working at another. The situation will likely be reversed the following day, so it all evens out in the end.

3) Why is it worth it to you to “moonlight?” Do you think it helps your museum career to do so?
Since I actually work 39-46 hours per week on museum work, I do not really consider what I do “moonlighting;” all of my work time is devoted to museums, even if it is not in a single institution. In terms of helping my career, I have found one aspect of moonlighting particularly beneficial—being a link among the three museums. The fact that I work in three organizations creates opportunities to communicate and collaborate.

4) What is your ideal job? What are your future plans and goals?
Eventually, I would like to transition to one full-time position in a small or medium-sized museum in Massachusetts or New Hampshire. I have a background in both education and collections, so I would be happy to work in either department. For the moment, I feel fortunate to be working in my current positions, so that I can keep an eye out for the “perfect” career move.

5) What advice do you have for fellow EMPs just starting off in the museum field?
Be flexible and pursue everything. I came out of grad school seeking a curatorial position, but when I saw how dismal the situation was in New England, I switched my focus to education. By so doing, I landed all three of my jobs within a year of graduation. Lastly, you may need to consider working outside the field. Just make sure to attend conferences and workshops to keep your hand in and maintain networking connections.

Museum Moonlighters: Making it Work #4

Today is our fourth professional profile in the Museum Moonlighters series, bringing us a look into the career of Andrea Gallagher from Orlando, Florida. Until recently, Andrea was managing four responsibilities, including school, a freelance writing job, a museum job, and a non-museum job. An impressive display of what people are willing to do in today’s job climate to make it work!

Name: Andrea Gallagher
Place of birth: Orlando, Florida
Favorite museum: Field Museum in Chicago
Favorite food: Anything Italian!

1. Where are you currently working?
I work as the Special Projects Coordinator at the Tampa Bay History Center located in downtown Tampa, Florida. I started at the museum as an intern while attending graduate school at the University of South Florida. Eventually, I got a part-time job at the Visitor Services desk, where I answered general inquiries and sold tickets. This position gave me valuable experience on the floor, and I was later promoted to be an assistant to the President & CEO of the museum and Board Liaison, which led to my current position. Up until just recently, I was taking four graduate classes, and working as a freelance writer, server at a steakhouse, and at the museum. It has been busy, but worth it because I love the History Center and feel strongly about its mission and that I can make a difference.

2. What does your average week look like?
As I mentioned, I recently graduated from the University of South Florida and accepted a full-time job at the History Center as their Special Projects Coordinator. Unfortunately because of my student loan debt and the high cost of living in the Tampa Bay area, I found it necessary to keep my serving job. Now, my week consists of working at the museum from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday with an occasional evening or weekend program, which falls under the category of “special projects.” Around my commitments at the museum, I also work a couple 6 p.m. till midnight shifts at a nearby campus steakhouse.

3. How do you make it work, and is there ever any conflict in balancing multiple positions/responsibilities?
I make it work because I love what I do. I am gaining invaluable experience at the History Center and am grateful for this opportunity. In a nutshell, I primarily assist the President & CEO and work closely with our Board. But in addition, I help the Director of Marketing with promotion, writing, and editing; plan programming and assist the education department; and have gained experience in membership and donor relations by working with our Director of Advancement. On nights and weekends, I serve dinners to tourists visiting Busch Gardens. I clean, bus tables, and get covered in food. I do not get much sleep, but for now, my jobs do not cause a “conflict” because I know that one day I will look back and wonder how I did it all, and it will feel great.

4. What is your ideal job? What are your future plans and goals?
In my current position, I work with an array of departments including Executive, Marketing, Development, Education, and Visitor Services, and I honestly cannot pinpoint which is my favorite. Thus, my ideal job is to be a Museum Director. I see our Museum President work tirelessly to ensure the success of the History Center and that is exactly what I hope to do one day.

5. What advice do you have for fellow EMPs just starting off in the museum field?

For fellow EMPs just starting out:

• You will work hard, maybe harder than you ever have in your life. The money may not be great starting out, but you cannot put a price on experience.
• Never feel like you are “too good” for even small wins or honors.
• Find a mentor, someone who really believes in you and pushes you to be the bestyou can be and who tells you when there are opportunities.

You will get discouraged and go through times when you wonder if it is all worth it. It is! When you see the look on an underprivileged school group’s face as they begin to understand where Florida’s First People come from, or when an elderly woman thanks you for teaching her something new that engages her mind OR when you know you are preserving something so that your grandchildren’s children can learn from it, you will know without a doubt, that your hard work is worth it.

Museum Moonlighters: Making it Work #3

It’s my pleasure today to introduce our third of five professional profiles in our Museum Moonlighters series. Maureen Bourbin was a classmate of mine in the Museum Studies department at San Francisco State University. Her wide range of experiences, in and out of the museum world, have given her a great perspective on the current issues in the EMP world. 

Name: Maureen Bourbin 
Location: San Francisco
Favorite museums: The Galleria Doria Pamphile in Rome and the de Young in San Francisco
Favorite food: Filet mignon with mashed potatoes and green beans

Where are you currently working?
I am working in the publications department at the American Academy of Ophthalmology, where I help procure illustrative and photographic artwork for textbooks. While this job is not exactly a museum position, it does allow me to use some of my museums skills related to copyright issues and permissions.

What does your average week look like?

Right now, I am on the go seven days per week. I work fulltime at the Academy and also dedicate time to the Treasure Island Museum Association, where I participate as a Board Member. At the moment, the Board is focused on fundraising and redevelopment in hopes of opening a museum on the island. In the mean time, we have found ways to exhibit in the Bay Area. For instance, I curated a show titled The Magic City: Treasures from San Francisco’s Golden Gate International Exposition 1939-1940, which opened at the S.F. Main Library last month.

How do you make it work, and why is it worth it to you to “moonlight?” Do you think it helps your museum career to do so?

I make it all work by being super organized and driven. I love museum work so pursuing projects after my normal business hours is not a chore; it’s a pleasure. It is worth it to me because I want to stay involved in the field and keep my skills sharp and current.

What is your ideal job? What are your future plans and goals?

My ideal job would be to work as a curator or curatorial assistant in a local museum. I also have registrar experience and would enjoy a position in that department as well. I am always on the lookout for new projects and am even contemplating going back to school to earn a Ph.D. in art history to compliment my museum degree from San Francisco State.

What advice do you have for fellow EMPs just starting off in the museum field?

I would advise EMPs to do what they need to do to pay the bills while looking for their dream job. In the meantime, stay connected by volunteering at a museum. Be flexible and willing to take positions that you normally would not. Lastly, I would tell EMP’s not to get discouraged in this tough economy. We are all in the same boat.

Museum Moonlighters: Making it Work #2

Our second professional profile brings us Emma Martell, and EMP currently working multiple jobs in Chicago, IL.  While both her jobs are in education, Emma is a great example of how many EMPs have to look outside the museum field for stable employment. 

 

Name: Emma Martell

Emma at the City Museum in St. Louis

Place of birth: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, but moved to Chicago at 3 years old

Favorite museum: City Museum in St. Louis

Favorite food: Roast beef sandwich from the Carnation Cafe in Disneyland

 

1) Where are you currently working, and what does your average week look like?

I have two jobs at the moment.  On weekdays, I work fulltime as a high school writing tutor, which involves helping students develop their grammar skills and think critically about literature.  Then on Sundays, I work as an exhibit guide at the Kohl Children’s Museum in Glenview.  I have a blast playing with kids, cleaning up after them, and helping them get the most out of the exhibit.  On my spare time, I search for internships/jobs, do homework for my online museum studies course, and volunteer as a blogger/educator for the Chicago Teen Museum’s blog.  Recently, I’ve also been working on a pecha kucha presentation for the Chicago Student Art Educator Intramurals in April.

 

2) How do you make it work, and is there ever any conflict in balancing multiple positions/responsibilities?

Working six days a week isn’t really draining, because I love both of my jobs and find that they compliment on anther; it’s refreshing to hang out with toddlers after a week with high school students and vice versa.  However, because I only work at the children’s museum on the weekends, I miss out on networking and connecting with staff members.  In the future, I plan to visit the museum on during my spring break to remedy this.

 

3) Why is it worth it to you to “moonlight?” Do you think it helps your museum career to do so?

My degree is in English and Education, so I’m happy to be able to use those skills in student teaching.  I’m confident that working one-on-one with students and teachers will help me in my museum career, since I’ll know firsthand what a school environment is like.  For instance as a writing tutor, I use open-ended questions to pull the answers out of my students.  Similarly, at the museum, I ask toddlers how they take care of their pets at home or what they’re painting on their face.  Both jobs give me the opportunity to help others engage and learn in an informal environment, which helps me build a strong foundation for a career in museum education.

 

4) What is your ideal job? What are your future plans and goals?

My ideal job is to be a museum educator, because I believe that museums offer the most engaging and diverse methods of learning.  I see myself at a museum that has programming and exhibits for both young children and adult learners.  And because I learn best by being in the field and facing real problems, I plan to continue working for a while before pursuing a Master’s in either early childhood education or museum studies.

 

5) What advice do you have for fellow EMPs just starting off in the museum field?

Be confident.  Even as an EMP, volunteer, or visitor, you have a valuable perspective about the field.  Take that confidence and use it to apply for internships or entry-level positions; it’s all about getting your foot in the door.

Museum Moonlighters: Making it Work #1

The EMP Blog is proud to present our first of five professional profiles in the Museum Moonlighters series. Our Guest Editor for this series is Mariko Chang, who took the idea from brilliant inception to implementation. Over the last few weeks, she’s been diligently responding to and interviewing the EMPs who expressed interest, and putting together a schedule of posts taking us through May. The first part of this post will be an introduction from Mariko (who’s a curatorial assistant at the Cantor Arts Center and member of the Bay Area Emerging Museum Professionals Leadership Crew), followed by our first profile – Suse Cairns. 

Introduction

Museum Moonlighters: Making it Work sheds light on the diverse and dynamic lives of EMPs by profiling five individuals who currently work multiple jobs to support their passion, education, and/or career in museums. Across many professions, this idea of working a secondary job is known as moonlighting, a term which inspired the title of this series. These posts offer a glimpse into the realities of the field and provide readers with practical advice as well as examples of triumph and tribulation.

It is my pleasure to present the first profile of Museum Moonlighters: Making it Work. But before I do, I want to thank all those who submitted proposals. Your stories were personal, humbling, and inspiring, and they revealed the many ways EMPs have found to make it work. Depending on the response to our first run of the series, we’ll consider expanding to make this a regular feature on the blog.

Best,

Mariko Chang, Guest Editor

 

Professional Profile #1

Name: Suse Cairns, a museum geek and vintage fashion tragic
Place of birth: Newcastle, Australia
Superpower: Supertaster
Blog: Museum Geek– http://museumgeek.wordpress.com/

Where are you currently working?
My full time “job” is my Ph.D., in which I am examining the changing nature of knowledge in the Internet age with a focus on online museum collections. In Australia, many Ph.D. students are supported by a government stipend, which means I get paid to do this! But, because it’s important that my theoretical work marries with the realities of museums, I also intern with the Web Services team at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney and work one day a week as the web coordinator (and graphic designer, media writer, etc.) at my local art gallery. In addition, I work at a local music venue – a job that is the perfect counterpoint to the isolation of academia.

What does your average week look like?
Theoretically, Mondays thru Wednesdays are Ph.D. days. I work in a shared office space with a whole pile of other creatives (e.g. graphic designers, web guys, filmmakers), and spend a few days reading, writing and thinking. Thursday I spend 5.5 hours on a train to Sydney and back, so I can intern at the Powerhouse. Whilst there, I work on all kinds of interesting projects, from web audience analysis to interviews with curators about the online collection. On Friday, I’m at the Art Gallery through the day, and then work at the music venue into the wee hours of the morning. In reality however, my life is not nearly so structured. I end up working on the Ph.D. at all hours, and pick up other strange projects such as the public sphere policy submission on digital culture and being on the Program Committee for the Museum Computer Network conference.

How do you make it work, and is there ever any conflict in balancing multiple positions/responsibilities?
There are frequent conflicts among the diverse hats that I wear, but fortunately most of what I do is reasonably flexible. I do what I can to make sure that my major deadlines don’t overlap, and I juggle my timetable to suit the projects. Having said that, I do turn down opportunities to avoid being overloaded.

Why is it worth it to you to “moonlight?” Do you think it helps your museum career to do so?
Absolutely! I have learned so much in the past few years. Working in so many different areas has given me experiences and opportunities that I probably wouldn’t have had from remaining in a single institution. Although there is a lot to be said for a traditional career path, it’s certainly not the only way to make a career. Moreover, working with lots of people and considering the field as both an academic and practitioner has opened my eyes to so many more perspectives.

What is your ideal job? What are your future plans and goals?
I love working in research and considering the theoretical implications of what we do in museums. For an institution so thoroughly tied to knowledge and philosophy, I think the conceptual aspects of what we do sometimes gets overlooked. However, I also love working in museums and putting ideas into practice. Ideally, I’d like to find (create?) some kind of hybrid position that combines my love of research with practice. This job might not yet exist… but I have faith that there will be a way to make it happen.

What advice do you have for fellow EMPs just starting off in the museum field?
In general, be enthusiastic, try your hand at all kinds of things (you might surprise yourself), and talk to everyone. When you meet other museum folk, stay in touch. People tend to be generous with their time and knowledge.

More specifically, I would tell all EMPs to get into technology. Skill up and read about the implications of these kinds of changes. In my Ph.D., I am examining the way the technology is changing the very nature of knowledge itself and what that means for museums. Learn to code. Start a blog. Read up on the changes that are happening in technology more generally, and museums specifically. Get on Twitter and connect with colleagues. Be a part of the change, don’t let it sweep around you.