Careers in Museums and Cultural Institutions: Resource

Each of these career development areas are important for career success. Identify which area(s) you are seeking further support with and review the listed questions to help you know where to start looking.

How to use this guide:

This is a continuously developing resource filled with important career knowledge and strategies related to the museum industry. The information is broken up into 7 career areas and from there, broken down into frequently asked questions.

Feel free to review this guide in its entirety, or pick which career themes you are looking to get support with right now and start with those sections. This is meant to provide you with extra knowledge to support your career development, but it is not meant to replace one-on-one support from a career consultant. We are happy to always meet with you and collaborate on your career development, using these articles and tools as support along your journey.

Overview: 

• Top Takeaways
• Explore Interests and Careers
• Gain Relevant Experience
• Application Materials & Strategies
• Prepare for the Job Search
• Graduate and Professional School / Continuing Education
• Industry Insights

Quick Disclaimer:

This resource will not cover everything. Furthermore, you may be interested in the museum industry, but do not see information for the specific role you are interested in noted below. If that is the case, please know that many of the tools listed will allow you to pick other careers, including other positions in the museum industry.

This guide was created using a mix of expert resources, professional articles, and tailored advice for Binghamton students. All external sources are credited throughout and listed in the table below.  Portions of this guide were developed with support from ChatGPT, an AI language model by OpenAI, used to help synthesize research, generate summaries, and refine formatting. All final content was reviewed and customized for Binghamton University students.

American Alliance of Museums (AAM): “From aquariums to art museums, botanical gardens to battlefields, children’s museums to cultural heritage centers, America’s diverse and engaging museums capture the attention of nearly 900 million visitors each year. More people explore museums than the number that attend sporting events or visit amusement parks combined! Whether they’re managed by volunteers or operated by large staffs, run by government, universities, nonprofits or for-profits, museums have something to offer everyone.”

The Fleishman Center has developed The Path to Career Confidence and Clarity to help students identify what stage of the career journey they’re in. It’s a simple four-step journey all about helping you go from understanding yourself to making confident career decisions. We’ve designed it to help you explore your options with purpose and reflect on what you learn along the way. If you’re unsure which stage you’re in or need help developing a plan, make an appointment with the Fleishman Center! It can be helpful to talk to a career consultant in person or on Zoom!

Step #1: Research You

This is the first and most important step in figuring out your career path. Before you can connect with different jobs, you need to understand who you are. This means thinking about your interests, what’s important to you (your values), what you’re good at (your skills), and what drives you.           

Ask yourself:

• What truly gets you excited?
• When do you feel like you’re doing your best work?
• How do your personal values guide your choices?
• What challenges might you face, and how can you overcome them?

Example: What truly gets you excited?

• I love learning new facts and stories, especially about history and art
• I get energized when I help someone else understand something new
• I enjoy talking with people and finding creative ways to explain concepts
• I’ve always been the “fun fact” person in friend groups or class projects

This self-reflection points toward careers that blend education, communication, and content—like museum education.

Step #2: Guided Exploration

Now that you know more about yourself, it’s time to connect that knowledge with different career paths. This will help you find careers that bring you confidence and clarity. Our goal is to help you narrow down your interests to a few areas by doing some focused research.                            

Ask yourself:

• What do I already know about different job opportunities?
• Have I explored a variety of options, or just a few?
• Am I ready to do some research to find facts that will help me make good decisions?

Example: Have I explored a variety of options or just a few?

• I realized I’ve only looked into being a classroom teacher
• I met with a career coach who recommended I take the Focus 2 career assessment
• Through Focus 2 and watching Candid Career videos, I discovered careers I hadn’t considered, including Museum Educator
• I learned that Museum Educators get to teach in non-traditional settings, which felt like the perfect blend of my interests

Step #3: Expand and Reflect

If you’re at this stage, you’re ready to explore and take action! Getting hands-on experience is key. Take the career areas you’re interested in and find ways to get involved.                    

Here are some ideas:

• Internships
• Job shadowing (following someone at their job for a day)
• Volunteering in your community
• Getting involved with campus clubs or activities
• Studying abroad
• Doing research

Think about: What kind of experience makes the most sense for the area you want to explore?

Example: How can I get hands-on experience?

• I visited the Binghamton University Art Museum and spoke with staff about their careers
• I learned they offer internships during the academic year and summer
• I plan to apply for the internship next semester and, in the meantime, they invited me to start volunteering
• This gave me real insight into what happens behind the scenes in a museum and helped me begin building relevant experience

Step #4: Plan and Dive Deeper

You’ve gained valuable experience and are closer to feeling confident and clear about your career! Now it’s time to get more experience, improve your skills, and grow your network.

Think about:

• What events or opportunities can help you connect with more people in your field?
• What experiences or skills are you missing?

Example: What have I learned about my fit for this path?

• Through volunteering and then interning at the museum, I saw different roles in action
• I realized I’m most drawn to the interactive, educational side of museum work
• I also tutor local middle school students and love it when they have “aha” moments; this confirmed my passion for teaching in engaging ways
• I met with my career consultant to process these experiences and used Mentor Match to connect with a Museum Educator at another institution
• I now feel confident that Museum Education is a great path for me and know what steps to take next

Museum careers don’t always follow one straight line; there are many different pathways depending on your interests, education, and experiences. If you’re curious about how professionals grow and move through roles in this field, here are a few tips to help you explore:

LinkedIn Tip:
Search for professionals who have your dream job, then explore their profiles to see how they got there. What roles did they hold before? What did they study? You can customize the industry filter by selecting “Museums” or “Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos” to narrow down your search and focus on relevant profiles.

Explore More:
Check out this article for additional insight into possible roles and specializations:
Top 9 Careers Working In or With Museums – Written by the Indeed Editorial Team

The two tables below will provide even more clarity. They offer visual examples of common career paths and how individuals can grow within the museum industry, from entry-level roles to more specialized or leadership positions. Use them to see what progression might look like and where your interests could take you.

Organizational Chart

Source: Let’s Imagine a New Museum Staff Structure – Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Typical-hierarchical-museum-staff-structure-in-the-United-States_fig1_353005954 [accessed 1 Jun 2025]

Check out this article, “Organizing the Work of the Art Museum” by Roger C. Schonfeld, Liam Sweeney to view, Figure 2: Organizational Chart featuring Horizontal reporting relationships.

Below you’ll find a table of job and internship titles held by our alumni in the museum and historical fields. This list was compiled using LinkedIn and is meant to give you a sense of the wide variety of roles available, but it’s not an all-encompassing list.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you explore:

• Some alumni pursued graduate degrees before stepping into certain roles, especially those in curatorial, archival, or leadership positions.
• Some table cells list multiple job titles. These show career progression over time, from earlier roles (listed at the bottom) to more recent positions (listed at the top). This can help you visualize a possible path forward, starting from entry-level and growing into more advanced roles.
• There’s a graph at the end of the table that gives you a quick snapshot of how these roles cluster into broader career areas like education, visitor services, curatorial work, and more.

Whether you’re just getting started or thinking ahead about where a museum-related path could take you, this list can offer some inspiration and ideas!

Alumni Roles in Museums and Historical Organizations

Here’s a visual summary of your alumni roles, organized by career area within museums and historical organizations. The most common areas include Curatorial & Collections, Administrative & Leadership, and Museum Education, followed by roles in Guest Services, Exhibition & Design, and Media/Marketing/Development.

Understanding Entry-Level Roles in Museums & Archives

When searching for jobs right out of college, it’s important to recognize that entry-level roles often include keywords like “Assistant,” “Technician,” “Coordinator,” “Associate,” or “Aide.” These roles may support senior staff and provide hands-on experience while allowing early-career professionals to build their skills. Many museums, libraries, and archives also post short-term, project-based, or fellowship-style positions that can serve as stepping stones into full-time roles.

Use this guide to explore job titles and keep an eye out for entry-level variations within each category!

• Museum Technicians and Conservators
  • Art Preparator, Conservation Technician, Conservator, Exhibit Technician, Museum Registrar, Museum Technician, Objects Conservator, Paintings Conservator, Paper Conservator, Preparator
  • Entry-level: Look for titles with “Assistant,” “Technician,” or “Preparator” to indicate early-career, hands-on roles.

• Curators
  • Collections Curator, Collections Manager, Curator, Education Curator, Exhibitions Curator, Exhibits Curator, Museum Curator, Photography Curator, Vertebrate Zoology Curator
  • Entry-level: Entry-level curatorial roles usually include “Assistant,” “Fellow,” or “Intern” and involve supporting research, cataloging, and exhibition prep.

• Archivists
  • Accessioning Archivist, Archivist, Digital Archivist, Film Archivist, Museum Archivist, Records Manager, Reference Archivist, Registrar, State Archivist, University Archivist
  • Entry-level: Watch for “Assistant,” “Technician,” or “Processing” in the title. Many early roles involve organizing and describing collections.

• Historians
  • County Historian, County Records Management Officer (County RMO), Historian, Historic Interpreter, Historic Sites Registrar, Historical Interpreter, Research Associate, Researcher
  • Entry-level: Entry-level historian roles are often found in public history, education, or tourism-focused settings. Look for “Interpreter,” “Assistant,” or “Educator.”

• Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
  • Catalog Librarian, Instructional Technology Specialist, Librarian, Library Media Specialist, Media Specialist, Media Technician, Multimedia Services Coordinator, Reference and Instruction Librarian, Reference Librarian, Technical Services Librarian
  • Entry-level: Roles with “Assistant,” “Aide,” or “Technician” are typically entry-level. These positions often involve circulation, cataloging, or digital collections support.

My Next Move: State Map and National Outlook

Museum Technicians and Conservators | Curators | Archivists | Historians | Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

Other Outlook Resources:

• Museum Technicians and Conservators: ONET, OOH
• Curators: ONET, OOH
• Archivists: ONET, OOH
• Historians: ONET, OOH
• Librarians and Media Collections Specialists: ONET, OOH

Understanding salary information can feel confusing, especially since pay can vary by location, organization size, and role responsibilities. The tools below can help you explore average salaries, compare jobs in different areas, and even calculate how far your money might go depending on cost of living. These are great starting points to build realistic expectations about pay in museum careers.

In addition to these online tools, you can also connect with our Financial Literacy Program Specialist. They’re a great resource not just for learning about salary research and negotiation strategies, but also for broader financial planning topics (like budgeting and loan repayment). Be sure to check out their website for more information and resources.

Salary Tools:

• OOH
• O*NET OnLine 
• CareerOneStop: Salary Finder 
• NACE Salary Calculator 
• Salary Wizard
• Robert Half: 2025 Salary Guide
• Payscale
• Living Costs
• Cost of Living Calculator

Examples in NYS:

• Museum Technicians and Conservators: Workers on average earn $64,680.
• Curators: Workers on average earn $78,760.
• Archivists: Workers on average earn $74,880.
• Historians: Workers on average earn $51,620.
• Librarians and Media Collections Specialists: Workers on average earn $77,080.

Additional Tips:

Look up the same position at other companies in that local area

Click on links to see related occupations:

Museum Technicians and Conservators | Curators | Archivists | Historians | Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

(Make sure to click on the drop down arrow to “display all”)

• Invest in Your Career Exploration: We have something for everyone, no matter what stage you are at! Even if you are confident in your career choice, we could progress in the discussion by identifying which companies interest you and what kind of work cultures you thrive in! 
• Placeholder: If you want a tool that can help you document your findings, Focus 2 and CareerOneStop allow you to save careers and print portfolios! 
• Network Regularly: Not only will this help you career clarity, it will often reveal industry positions and resources you weren’t aware of, and you will build up your social capital! 

Museum Technicians and Conservators: Focuses on the care, documentation, and handling of physical objects, including art, artifacts, and archival materials.

• Start a personal blog or Instagram documenting objects (e.g., thrifted finds, family heirlooms)  (object handling, visual documentation, descriptive writing)
• Create mock condition or inventory reports using household or campus items  (close observation, terminology use, cataloging)
• Volunteer to help with the setup/takedown of student art shows or displays (installation awareness, collaboration, object safety)
• Use Adobe Bridge or Lightroom to organize and tag a photo archive of “collection” items (metadata tagging, digital preservation)

Curators: Research, interpretation, and exhibit planning roles

• Create a mini-exhibit or visual timeline for a student org event (Storytelling, Thematic Planning)
• Write blog posts or social media series interpreting historical or artistic topics (Research, Public Writing)
• Collaborate with an academic department to research and pitch an exhibit idea (Curatorial Planning)
• Host a panel discussion tying artwork or historical events to current themes (Public Engagement)
• Plan gallery walks, film nights, or lecture events through clubs (Public Engagement)
• Volunteer for campus events like Family Weekend or Accepted Students Day to get coordination experience (Public Engagement)
• Be part of campus tours or orientation teams (Storytelling, Public Engagement)

Archivists: Records management, cataloging, and digital preservation roles

• Digitize and organize past event flyers or photos for a student org (Digital Archiving, Metadata)
• Volunteer to help a professor organize research materials or scan documents (File Management)
• Create a finding aid or index for a campus archive, club history, or cultural organization (Archival Description)
• Take photos and maintain organized documentation for a campus project or campaign (Data Organization)

Historians: Research, analysis, and storytelling roles

• Contribute to a student publication with historical op-eds or deep dives (Writing, Analysis)
• Start or join a history-focused podcast or YouTube channel (Public History, Communication)
• Lead a campus walking tour on lesser-known university history (Interpretation, Community Engagement)
• Research and write content for Wikipedia or open-access public history projects (Public Scholarship)

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists: Information access, media organization, and user support roles

• Organize and maintain media content for a student org or club (Information Management)
• Create a resource guide or research toolkit on a campus topic or cause (Information Literacy)
• Run or co-manage a student org’s digital file system, Dropbox, or asset library (Digital Organization)

Exploring internship possibilities is a great way to learn more about the museum and historical fields and to test out different types of roles and organizations. Below, you’ll find a list of internships that alumni from our program have completed. Like the alumni job title table earlier, this list isn’t exhaustive, but it highlights a range of real-world experiences in archives, education, curation, visitor services, collections, and more.

A few things to know:

• Some internships were completed during undergrad, while others happened after graduation or as part of graduate school programs.
• In some cases, multiple internships are listed in one cell to reflect progression over time, starting with the earliest experience at the bottom and leading up to more recent ones at the top.

To make your own search easier, I also highly recommend checking out the Museum Internship Board curated by Alli, the creator behind Your Museum Career Coach. She’s created an incredibly helpful, up-to-date resource with internship listings across museum departments and organization types; perfect for students and emerging professionals alike.

Previous Internships Alumni Have Done:

Yes! Throughout the year, campus hosts a variety of events that are perfect for students exploring careers in museums, archives, public history, and the arts. Below, you’ll find a list of past industry-related events pulled from B-Engaged! These can give you a sense of what types of programs might come up again in the future.

These events are a great way to:

• Hear directly from professionals in the field
• Learn about career paths and grad school options
• Get inspired by real stories and insider tips
• Start building your network, even if you’re just starting out

Examples of Past Industry Events:

• The Corning Museum of Glass- Virtual Internship Information Session
• Info-Sessions MA Museum Administration Program, St. John’s University, NY
• School of the Arts “Tips for the Real World” part 3 series
• Build-A-Data Monument: Join BUAM and Data & You to build a monument out of your personal data points while reflecting on the museum’s Spring 2025 exhibition, Monuments: Commemoration and Controversy. Tours of the exhibit are available before and after the activity.
• Artists and Curator in Conversation: Join the Binghamton University Art Museum for “Artists and Curator in Conversation.” Brandon Lazore, Hayden Haynes, Margaret Jacobs and Natasha Smoke Santiago with guest curator, Luanne Redeye will be discussing BUAM’s Fall exhibition, Homelands: Contemporary Haudenosaunee Art Across New York.
• BUAM AiR Workshop: Body Language: Body Language: Learn an alternative printing style pioneered by David Hammons.
• BUAM AiR Workshop: Photomotion: Workshop on communal collage animation. Work in groups of 4 to create 4-frame looping animations through the lens of David Hammons.
• Artist Materials: Balancing creativity and technological limitations: This brief overview by a paintmaker describes how artists have pushed the limitations of available materials, used new techniques to work at the margins of material capabilities, and embraced new technologies — for better or for worse.

Don’t miss opportunities like these! Keep an eye on your email, follow your department and campus offices on social media, and subscribe to relevant newsletters so you’re in the know when events like these pop up.

• The Fleishman Center: Arts and Communication Newsletter
• Broome County Art Council: Newsletter & LinkedIn Company Page
• The School of Arts: Newsletter & Events Calendar
• Binghamton University Art Museum: Newsletter
• Broome County Art: LinkedIn Company Page
• Center for Civic Engagement: Newsletter
• NYFA: New York Foundation for the Arts: Newsletter

• Make Informed Decisions Now To Guide You: Although career exploration is a journey and you may change your career path at different points (totally normal by the way), I would encourage identifying what careers and organizations you are thinking about right now. This way, when you are able to customize assignments and projects for your classes, you could consider doing them on topics that relate to your industry!
• Use AI to Organize Content: You can ask AI to make a table for a job description you are interested in. Have it list each requirement, qualification, and company insights in their own row. In the 2nd column, identify if you already have that skill/experience or not. From there, you will be able to easily see what areas to include your career development plan to ensure you are ready for those positions upon graduation.

Crafting a great resume or CV for the museum world isn’t always the same as writing one for other fields. Many museum roles, especially in curatorial, archival, or academic spaces, may ask for a CV instead of a traditional resume, and might also want to see sections on exhibitions, publications, or presentations. This section includes a curated list of resources to help you navigate these differences and build strong application materials.

Here’s what you’ll find:

• Guidelines and examples for museum-specific resumes and CVs
• Tips for writing compelling cover letters tailored to cultural and historical institutions
• Templates and sample language to help you get started

To make it easier, each resource below includes a short note about what it offers and how it might be useful depending on your goals.

Museum Career Application Resources:

Many museum internships and jobs, especially in curatorial, education, communications, or research roles, require a writing sample as part of the application.

• Writing samples help demonstrate your communication skills, analytical thinking, and attention to detail, which are key strengths in museum work.
• Academic papers, blog posts, exhibition reviews, or research excerpts are common types of writing samples accepted.
• Museum employers often prefer samples that are clear, well-organized, and tailored to the type of work you’re applying for (e.g., public-facing vs. scholarly).
• Even if a writing sample isn’t required, submitting one when optional can help strengthen your application and show your initiative.

Resources/Tips for Writing Samples: 

• Guide to Submitting a Writing Sample
• A Comprehensive Guide to Writing Samples for a Job
• How to Submit Writing Samples (With Tips and Examples)
• 5 Steps to Submitting a Writing Sample That Will Blow Hiring Managers Away
• Writing sample tips for a job application
• How to Submit a Writing Sample For Your Job Applications

Additional Resources to Consider:

• Online Portfolio Guide
• Artist Statements, Bios, and About Me’s
• Resources/Tips for Exhibitions: GYST: Checklist

Museum Conference Directory Resource

For those interested in deepening their engagement with the museum field, attending conferences is a fantastic way to network, learn about emerging trends, and discover new opportunities. Thankfully, an excellent resource has been curated by a dedicated museum professional who compiled a comprehensive directory of museum conferences. Instead of reinventing the wheel, we’re sharing this invaluable resource so you can easily explore upcoming events relevant to your interests and career goals.

Check out the full directory here:
Your Museum Career — Museum Conference Directory

🏛️ Museums & History

• American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo
• Museum Association of New York (MANY) Annual Conference
• New York State History Conference
• American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) Annual Conference
• Museum Computer Network (MCN) 2025
• Association of African American Museums (AAAM) Annual Conference
• Society for History in the Federal Government Annual Meeting
• AMM 2015 Conference (Museums) (Midwest)
• ALHFAM: ALHFAM Annual Meeting & Conference (History)

🎨 Art History, Curation & Conservation

• College Art Association (CAA) 113th Annual Conference
• Association of Art Museum Curators (AAMC) Annual Conference
• American Institute for Conservation (AIC) Annual Meeting
• National Council on Public History (NCPH) Annual Meeting
• AAH: Annual Conference (Art History) (UK)

Funding Support:

• Check with your Academic Department 
• Professional Development Fund
• Harpur Edge Funding
• Overall Additional Funding Resources

• AAM: Emerging Museum Professionals: Are you new to the museum field? Learn more about how to get involved
• AIC: Emerging Conservation Professionals Network 
• NPI: Historic Preservation Professionals
• People Search Tool: Filtered by Museum Industry
• Alumni: Filtered by Museum Industry 
• Mentor Match: Connect with Alumni who want to offer career support

LinkedIn Groups:

Groups are a great way to engage in informal networking and build new connections! An incredible benefit of being in a group is that you can message each member directly without needing to be connected officially on LinkedIn! There may be a 3-day wait period from when you join a group, before you can start messaging though! 

• Binghamton University Alumni Association Professional Network (12,000+ members)
• Binghamton University Alumni Association Job Forum (16,000+ members)
• Museum and Art Gallery Exhibitions & Events (117,000+ members)
• Art Museums and Art Galleries: News, Reviews and Collections (42,000+ members)
• Blooloop: Museum, Theme Park, Zoo & Attraction Professionals (22,000+ member)
• Museum marketing (15,000+ members)
• Museum Jobs (17,000+ members)
• Arts and Culture Network – Opportunities, Careers and Jobs (9,000+ members)
• MODA Museum of Digital Arts (1,400+ members)
• Museum Education Roundtable (8,500+ members)
• Museum of Comic & Cartoon Art – MoCCA (2,000+ members)
• HISTORYJOBS.COM History Jobs English Art Design Literature Political Science Museum Liberal Arts (2,500+ members)

LinkedIn Professionals to Follow:

• Alli Schell: Career Coach for Museum Pros 💼 | Director of Public Programs at Marshall Steam Museum 🚂

What are Professional Associations and Why are They Helpful?

Professional associations are a great way to explore career paths, find internships, and connect with people working in fields like museums, history, and preservation. Many offer student discounts, job boards, conferences, and even scholarships. Even just browsing their site can help you learn the language of the field and spot opportunities you didn’t know existed.

• AAM: American Alliance of Museums 
  • Student Membership Discount Fee: $50/year
• AASLH: American Association for State and Local History external site
  • Discount Member Fee
• AICFIC: American Institute for Conservation external site
• ARCS: Association of Registrars and Collections Specialists external site
• ICMAH: International Committee for Museums and Collections of Archaeology and History
• AMM: The Association of Midwest Museums
• ICOM: International Council of Museums 
• ACM: Association of Children’s Museums 
• ATALM: Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, & Museums 
• ASTC: Association of Science and Technology Centers 
• AHA: American Historical Association 
• AAH: Association of Art History
• OAH: Organization of American Historians 
• ALHFAM: The Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums 
• NTHR: National Trust for Historic Preservation
• IMLS: Institute of Museum and Library Services 
• IIC: International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works  
• NYS: Council on the Arts (TY SOAR)
• Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (TY SOAR)
• Art Exhibitions at leading galleries in New York Sun 11 May 2025 (TY SOAR)
• ACA: The Academy of Certified Archivists 
• AAMD: Association of Art Museum Directors
• Americans for the Arts 
• NCPH: National Council on Public History
• Museum Next
• A.R.T: The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. 
• List of Museum Associations 
• MCN: Advancing Digital Transformation in Museums 
  • We’re thrilled to announce a significant change to our membership structure that we believe will further our mission and foster greater inclusivity and accessibility: we’re transitioning from an annual membership fee to a no-cost membership model!

• Do Big Interview At Least Once: If you do well, you know you are truly ready for the upcoming interview. However, I think we overestimate our abilities in this area and Big Interview can be a great way to truly evaluate where your interviewing skills are at currently. It’s much better to find out you might need more time to practice from doing that experience, rather than the actual interview itself. 
• Keep Track of Your Written Work: Firstly, it may be good to adopt a mindset that if you are interested in this field, you are likely to be asked for writing samples and should think about that when you are doing homework and projects! Secondly, do yourself a favor and put every quality piece of written work in a folder so you can have those ready when the time comes to submit something.

Searching for a job in museums or archives can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies and resources, you can make the process more manageable and effective. Whether you’re just starting to explore opportunities or actively applying, it’s important to understand how to tailor your search, build connections, and present yourself as a strong candidate. Below are some carefully selected guides and tips from trusted organizations that will help you navigate the job search process and set you up for success.

List of museums from tailored resources 

• 2024 Annual National Snapshot of United States Museums
• AAM: Forecasting 2025
• The 17 Best Museums and Institutions Companies to Work For: As Rated by the Women Who Work There (May 2025)

Museums with 200+ Employees or More

• LinkedIn Company Search Tool
• Tailored by NY area 

List of Museums: (Use more than one source to verify)

• AAM: Find a Museum (database)
• WhichMuseum: Museums in the United States
• List of museums in the United States
  • List of museums in New York (state)
  • List of museums in New York City
  • List of museums on Long Island
  • List of university art museums and galleries in New York State

Historical Sites:

• NYS: Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation – Historic Site Search Results
• Historic Sites in New York State

New York Heritage: Digital Collections

• Contributing Organizations 

Nonprofit:

• Nonprofit New York – a great directory of NYC-area nonprofits.
• Idealist

Auctions: LinkedIn Company Tool – 218 Auction-Related Companies – filtered by NYC and NYS areas

Source: Handshake Employer Tool

Source: List of Museums in New York (state)

Start by Identifying Your Non-Negotiables vs. Preferences

• Before diving into a long list, get clear on your non-negotiables (must-haves) and your preferences (nice-to-haves).
• Non-negotiables are your deal-breakers — if a museum doesn’t meet these, you can cross it off your list.
• Preferences are bonuses — they can help you choose between two equally good options but shouldn’t automatically disqualify a museum.

Questions to Consider

• Am I location-bound?
  • Do I need to be in a specific city, region, or near public transit? Am I open to virtual/remote internships?
• Do they offer roles I’m qualified for or interested in?
  • Check if they have past or current internships or jobs in areas like education, curation, or visitor services that match your interests and skills.
• Do I meet the qualifications?
  • If you’re a high school or undergrad student, look for roles that specifically say “entry-level” or “internship.”
• Is the pay or stipend feasible?
  • Will the compensation (if any) work with your financial needs? If unpaid, do they offer other support like travel or housing stipends?
• Is the commute reasonable?
  • Will getting there regularly fit into your schedule and budget?
• What kind of museum content interests me most?
  • History? Science? Art? Identity-based museums (e.g., Black history, Jewish heritage, LGBTQ+ history)?
• How large is the museum?
  • Some students thrive in large institutions with structured programs, while others may prefer smaller museums with broader hands-on experience.
• What kind of work culture or team would I enjoy?
  • Look for clues about their values, DEI efforts, or community focus. Social media, blogs, and mission statements can be useful here.
• Do they host public events, school programs, or digital projects?
  • This can be a good sign that they’re active, community-focused, and may have a variety of opportunities.

Consider completing the “Getting Clear On What You Want” worksheet by Christine DiDonato (Lynda.com with LinkedIn)

• Let your network know you’re actively job searching and express gratitude for any resources, job leads, or introductions they can offer
• Use well-known general job boards to explore a wide range of openings across industries
• Search industry-specific or audience-specific job boards focused on museum, cultural, and nonprofit careers
• Regularly check company or organization career pages for the latest job postings
• Sign up for newsletters and follow museums and cultural organizations on social media to stay updated on new openings and events
• Tailor your application materials to each role, highlighting relevant skills and experiences that match the job description
• Meet with a career consultant to get personalized advice, feedback on materials, and support throughout your job search

Exploring graduate school options can feel overwhelming, but there are many helpful tools and strategies to guide your search. Using program directories, school search engines, and networking platforms can help you identify programs that fit your interests and career goals. Attending graduate school fairs and researching where professionals in your desired museum roles studied can also provide valuable insights. Below are some trusted resources and tips to get you started on finding museum-related graduate programs.

Program Search Engines and Directories:

• American Alliance of Museums (AAM): Directory of Museum Studies and Related Programs
• Peterson’s: Grad School Search Tool
• TheArtCareerProject: Search Programs 

LinkedIn Strategy: Look up professionals doing the roles you are most interested in and review their profiles to see where they received their schooling. 

• People Search Tool: Filtered by Museum Industry 
• Alumni: Filtered by Museum Industry 

Graduate School Fair: October 9th, 2025

• Make sure to first check out the schools who have registered to ensure there reps for the graduate programs you are considering
• Here is a great resource of tips for you to review to prepare

Source: AAM – Directory of Museum Studies and Related Programs

Graduate School Selection Guide

• Use this guide to help you learn what factors to consider when planning for graduate school
  • This will also help you stay organized and be easier to facilitate in-depth discussions with a career consultant

Free Test Prep Resources: Found Here (TY Aly)

Check out this webpage for other important information related to graduate and professional schools

What are Fellowships?

• Arts & Humanities, Liberal Arts: Scholarships, Fellowships, Postdoctoral Research Awards for Students (TY: ESURC)
• Library Studies, Museums and History: Financial Aid, Scholarships, Fellowships and Postdoctoral Research Awards for Students (TY: ESURC)
• Pro-Fellow: Filtered by professional fellowships and creative arts discipline (TY: Jessica Lane-Rwabukwisi)

Previous Past Fellowships:

What is an art residency? 

Artist Communities Alliance definition: “Artist residencies provide artists, scholars, educators and other creative professionals with time, space and resources to work, individually or collectively, on the research and development of their practice.”

Provided by the School of Arts:

• ArtistCommunities: Residency Programs filtered by Art Conservation, Art History, and History
• TransArtists: Residencies – Filtered by Museum Themes

ResArtis: Open Calls – Filtered by Curatorial and Education Disciplines

For a full breakdown of art residencies, check out our resource here.

• Graduate school is not your only option- consider alternatives like residencies, fellowships, certifications, gap years, or full-time/temporary work in the field
• Engage with faculty early and often to build strong relationships for future recommendations and to learn about opportunities in research and specialty areas
  • Early faculty conversations can also help you understand the field’s academic landscape and guide your program selection more strategically
• Start researching graduate programs well in advance so you have time to explore your options and prepare strong, tailored application materials
• Don’t just read about the programs- talk to current students and faculty to better understand if the school, culture, and learning environment are the right fit for you
• Ask about funding, cohort size, job outcomes, and faculty interests to assess whether the program aligns with your goals and values

If you’re excited to offer additional insights or reflections, we welcome you to submit a blog post! Whether you’re a student who’s completed an internship at the Binghamton Art Museum, an alum working in the field, or an employer eager to share behind-the-scenes perspectives, your voice can add real value to our community.

Use the buttons below to submit your blog. Once received, I’ll review your submission and follow up with you to confirm details and let you know when it’s published. No pressure at all- just a great opportunity if you’re interested in contributing!

Drop-ins: When classes are in session, Monday-Friday, from 12-4 p.m., you can visit our office to schedule a 20-minute drop-in with our staff.

Appointments: You can schedule your 30-minute career session on Handshake. These are offered all year and can be done virtually and in person.

Online Resources: Visit uConnect, our virtual career center that is always accessible to support your career needs.

Picture Source: Gemini (AI-generated image by Google Gemini) or Freepik.com

Website Sources: Special thanks to the organizations, industry experts, and thought leaders who share valuable career resources, research, and articles with the public. Your work provides important insights that support students’ career development.

This guide was created using a mix of expert resources, professional articles, and tailored advice for Binghamton students. All external sources are credited throughout and listed here:

AI Assistance: Portions of this resource were developed with support from ChatGPT, an AI language model by OpenAI, used to help synthesize research, generate summaries, and refine formatting. All final content was reviewed and customized for Binghamton University students.