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SUNY Oswego - Career Services

What can I do with a minor in museum studies?

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SUNY Oswego - Career Services

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Student Art Exhibition Committee

Search for opportunities

  • Historical Interpreter
  • Museum Evaluator
  • Archives Technician
  • Curator
  • Volunteer Coordinator
  • Research Assistant

Search for employers hiring graduates in your minor

Employers in NY: 469
Employers in the U.S.: 8,115

 

Explore the numerous career fields related to your major

Museums and Galleries
Areas
  • Art direction
  • Administration
  • Curatorial
  • Conservation
  • Restoration
  • Registrar
  • Collections management
  • Exhibit design/preparation
  • Archive management
  • Education
  • Tours
  • Sales
  • Publications
  • Development
  • Public relations
  • Historian
Employers
  • University, Public, Private Art museums
  • Archives
  • Historical societies
  • Natural history museums
  • Living history museums
  • Galleries
  • Community centers
  • Auction houses
Sample occupations
  • Gain relevant experience through internships or volunteer positions in museums or galleries.
  • Visit museums around the country and world to gain exposure to art.
  • Learn a foreign language and plan to study abroad.
  • Supplement curriculum with courses in history, religion, anthropology, and classical civilizations.
  • Most art historians will specialize in a period or region.
  • Acquire strong skills in research, fund-raising, speaking, writing, and an attention to detail.
  • Plan to earn a graduate degree in art history, museum studies, or other related discipline depending upon specific interests.
  • Each specialty has varying qualifications and required training.
  • Develop good interpersonal skills, including the ability to work well on teams.
  • Become a member of local museums.
  • Read published resources provided by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM).
Art Sales
Areas
  • Appraisal: art and estate
  • Sales
  • Antiques dealing
  • Antiquarian book dealer
  • Art authentication
  • Public relations
  • Website management
Employers
  • Self-employed
  • Dealers
  • Galleries
  • Museums
  • Auction houses
  • Specialty stores
Sample occupations
  • Learn to communicate effectively with a wide range of people.
  • Take additional courses in interpersonal communication and public speaking.
  • Prepare to work independently and to be self-motivated.
  • Plan to work irregular and/or long hours.
  • Cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit, including self-discipline and perseverance, are keys to success.
  • Pursue a business minor to increase knowledge of business principles.
  • Obtain sales experience through internships or summer and part-time jobs.
  • Volunteer in museums, membership drives, local galleries, and community outreach programs.
  • Serve as a student assistant in a university gallery.
  • Develop solid public speaking skills.
  • Become familiar with marketing techniques using social media platforms
Non-Profit
Areas
  • Administration
  • Management
  • Public relations
  • Program coordination
  • Fund raising/ development
  • Grant writing
  • Writing/Editing
  • Volunteer coordination
  • Community education
Employers
  • History museums and historical sites
  • Historical associations and societies
  • Cultural heritage organizations
  • Historical projects
  • Research and service institutions
  • Libraries
  • Educational institutions
  • Local and national nonprofit agencies
  • Trade or professional associations
  • Special interest groups
  • Nonprofit organizations
Sample occupations
  • Gain experience through extensive volunteering or by completing an internship; these experiences are critical to finding full-time positions.
  • Supplement curriculum with courses in anthropology, sociology, art history, or foreign languages.
  • Obtain leadership roles in relevant campus and community organizations.
  • Develop strong communication and research skills.
  • Gain an understanding of budgeting and fiscal management. 
  • Learn how to write grants.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and experience in a specialty area, time period, or geographic locale.
  • Research organizations’ values to find a good fit with yours.
  • It is critical that you are knowledgeable about and committed to the work you’re going to do.
  • Investigate term of service or service corps positions as a way to gain entry into the field.
  • Consider earning a graduate degree for more job opportunities and advancement.

General information and strategies

  • A bachelor’s degree in museum studies is valuable for entry-level positions, but an advanced degree is usually necessary to attain competitive, upper-level positions in museums and historical sites.
  • Explore more specific careers related to the industry such as art appraisal or art authentication.
  • Careers also exist with auction houses and the storage and transportation of art work, art investment, corporate curation, art law, and law enforcement.
  • Develop career goals and then gain the necessary education, skills, and experiences to achieve them.
  • Volunteer in museums, membership drives, local galleries, and community outreach programs.
  • Relocation to the larger markets of metropolitan areas where more opportunities exist may be beneficial.
  • Join art-related professional and student organizations.
  • Develop skills in business management, computers, marketing, and other related areas to increase marketability.
  • Gain experience in fundraising and grant writing techniques.
  • Often research and nonprofit organizations must be funded in this manner.
  • Seek exposure to art by visiting museums around the country and world.
  • Learn about world history, cultures, and languages.
  • Conduct informational interviews with professionals in areas of interest to learn more about opportunities and strategies for these areas.
  • Supplement curriculum with courses in history, religion, anthropology, and classical civilizations.
  • Most art historians will specialize in a period or region.
  • Become a member of local museums.
  • Read published resources provided by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM).