Are you passionate about museums and considering a career in this fascinating field? Leigh Pfeffer posed a great question about how to secure an entry-level job in a museum. The answer, which cannot be emphasized enough, is volunteering. Many professionals at The Field Museum, and indeed in museums worldwide, began their careers by volunteering or interning. These opportunities are crucial because museum jobs are rare and highly competitive. Volunteering not only provides valuable experience but also helps you build a network within the museum community.
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a museum? When not filming for “The Brain Scoop,” the team is busy with a variety of tasks. These include researching and planning future episodes, collaborating with colleagues, managing social media, engaging with researchers, and attending events. They also tour collections, access specimens for episodes, plan new merchandise, engage with educational classes, discuss marketing strategies, visit other museums, attend meetings, and communicate with donors. It’s a dynamic environment that requires multitasking and creativity.
Why do we know more about space than our own oceans? This intriguing question highlights the historical focus on space exploration, particularly during the 1960s when the United States prioritized the moon landing. Space exploration captured the public’s imagination and secured significant funding. In contrast, deep-sea exploration is technically challenging due to limited visibility and requires advanced technology. Additionally, funding for ocean research is competitive, which can limit collaboration and the sharing of discoveries.
Switching careers can be daunting, as Laura Hutfilz discovered. She shared her experience of telling her family about her decision to leave her job as a baker to pursue graduate studies and a museum career. Such transitions often involve emotional conversations and the courage to follow one’s passion.
When it comes to preserving specimens, a common question is whether certain materials need to be removed. The answer is no; everything stays with the specimen. This approach can provide valuable insights into the animal’s diet and ecological role, offering a more comprehensive understanding of its life.
One of the most fascinating finds at The Field Museum was evidence of one of Earth’s earliest fires, dating back about 419 million years. This discovery, a small vial of charcoal, suggests that biomass existed before plants, offering a glimpse into the early evolution of life on our planet.
Metamorphosis is a remarkable process, especially in caterpillars. During this transformation, many cells undergo significant changes, and some even retain memory. It’s a structured rebuilding process, rather than a simple revival, showcasing the complexity of life cycles in nature.
Working in a museum can lead to some unexpected questions. One memorable moment involved being asked who the “coach” was, under the assumption that museum staff were actors. Such encounters add a touch of humor to the daily routine.
Education plays a crucial role in museum careers. An independent study internship in scientific illustration was highlighted as particularly valuable. It allowed for the creation of a personalized curriculum and fostered a sense of responsibility for one’s learning journey.
If you’re planning a visit to The Field Museum, allocate at least a day or two to explore the public exhibits. For those who wish to delve deeper and read every label, a week might be necessary. Becoming a member offers the advantage of multiple visits throughout the year, allowing for a more leisurely exploration.
Meeting fans and engaging with the community is an exciting aspect of working at The Field Museum. Past meetups have been successful, providing opportunities for fans to ask questions and engage in discussions about natural history. For those interested in future events, following the museum’s social media channels is the best way to stay updated.
Reflect on your past volunteer experiences or internships, especially those related to museums or cultural institutions. Write a short essay discussing how these experiences have prepared you for a career in museums. If you haven’t volunteered yet, outline a plan for how you might get involved in the future.
Imagine you are organizing a behind-the-scenes tour at a museum like The Field Museum. Create a detailed itinerary that includes activities such as meeting with researchers, exploring collections, and attending a mock planning meeting for an upcoming exhibit. Consider what skills and knowledge you would gain from each activity.
Participate in a class debate on the topic: “Should more funding be allocated to ocean exploration rather than space exploration?” Research both sides of the argument and prepare to present your case, considering historical, technological, and scientific perspectives.
Attend a workshop focused on career transitions, where you will learn about the challenges and opportunities of switching career paths. Engage in activities that help you identify transferable skills and network with professionals who have successfully transitioned into museum careers.
Participate in a hands-on demonstration of specimen preservation techniques, such as pickling. Learn about the scientific importance of preserving specimens intact and discuss how this practice contributes to our understanding of biodiversity and ecological roles.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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*Typing* It says “Welcome to The Brain Scoop.” But you can’t see that.
Leigh Pfeffer asks: What advice do you have for someone looking for an entry-level job in a museum? What, beyond volunteering, can you do?
I’ll say it a million times because it is still the best answer to this question. Volunteering, besides interning, is the best way to get your foot in the door in a museum. Everybody I know and work with at The Field Museum, with very few exceptions, volunteered or interned to get to the position where they are today. Museum jobs are incredibly rare and fiercely competitive, so really, the best way to get your foot in the door is to volunteer.
Matt Wood asks: What do you spend the majority of your time doing at the museum when not filming The Brain Scoop?
Researching and planning for future episodes, working with colleagues, managing social media, speaking with researchers, attending events, touring different collections, accessing specimens for episodes, planning new merchandise, engaging with classes, discussing marketing strategies, visiting other museums, attending meetings, and communicating with donors.
monstersshesays asks: Why has so little of the ocean been explored? It floors me that we know more about the universe than our own planet.
Part of the reason is that in the 1960s, the United States prioritized space exploration and the moon landing. This was a huge source of national pride and raised a lot of funding. The appeal of space exploration is universal, as many people can gaze at the stars, but not everyone has the opportunity to explore the depths of the ocean. Deep-sea exploration requires sophisticated technology, and visibility is limited. Additionally, funding for deep-sea research is competitive, which can hinder collaboration and sharing of discoveries.
Laura Hutfilz, @comicallylaura, asks: How did you tell your friends/family that you were changing career paths?
I remember telling my mom during a tearful phone conversation at work that I wanted to quit my job as a baker to pursue graduate school and work for a museum. I also recall running into a coworker and expressing my desire to work with animals in a more hands-on way.
120lbsofconfused asks: If you’re pickling specimens, do you have to remove certain materials, or do they get preserved with everything else?
No! Everything stays with the specimen. This can provide insights into the animal’s diet and ecology.
pwisva asks: What’s the most fascinating thing you’ve found unexpectedly at the Field Museum?
Recently, I discovered evidence of one of the earliest fires on Earth, dating back about 419 million years. It was a small vial of charcoal, indicating that biomass existed before plants, and it’s fascinating to think about the evolution of life on our planet.
CGP Grey asks: When a caterpillar undergoes metamorphosis, how liquid does it become?
During metamorphosis, many cells change significantly, and some can retain memory. This process is more of a structured rebuilding than a revival from death to life.
Rachael Dye, @nerdycrochet, asks: What is the weirdest question you’ve been asked while working in a museum?
I once had someone ask who my “coach” was, thinking I was an actress. It was quite confusing!
Derek Hennen asks: What’s the most useful class you’ve ever taken?
My independent study internship in scientific illustration was incredibly valuable. It allowed me to create my own curriculum and take responsibility for my learning.
kittyreads asks: Hypothetically speaking, if I wanted to see the whole Field Museum, how long should I plan on spending there?
For the public portion, I would recommend a solid day or two. If you want to read every label, you might need a week. Becoming a member allows for multiple visits throughout the year.
rooks-and-ravens asks: Would you be interested in meeting a group of your fans at the Field Museum?
Yes! We’ve had successful meetups in the past, providing a chance for fans to ask questions and engage in discussions about natural history. If you’re interested in future events, be sure to follow our social media for updates!
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This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing any informal language or potentially inappropriate content.
Careers – Professional paths or occupations that individuals pursue, often requiring specialized education and training in a particular field. – Many students are interested in pursuing careers in biotechnology due to its rapid advancements and potential impact on healthcare.
Volunteering – Offering services or work without financial compensation, often to gain experience or contribute to a cause. – Volunteering at the local wildlife reserve provided invaluable hands-on experience in conservation biology.
Specimens – Samples or individual organisms collected for scientific study and analysis. – The biology lab required students to examine various plant specimens under the microscope to identify cellular structures.
Metamorphosis – A biological process by which an organism undergoes a significant change in form or structure during its life cycle. – The metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly is a classic example studied in developmental biology.
Education – The process of acquiring knowledge, skills, and understanding, often through formal instruction and study. – Education in environmental science is crucial for developing sustainable solutions to ecological challenges.
Research – The systematic investigation and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Her research on genetic mutations has contributed significantly to the understanding of hereditary diseases.
Ecology – The branch of biology that deals with the relationships between living organisms and their environment. – Understanding ecology is essential for addressing issues related to biodiversity and habitat conservation.
Exploration – The act of investigating or studying an area or subject to gain new insights and knowledge. – The exploration of deep-sea ecosystems has revealed numerous previously unknown species and biological processes.
Community – A group of interacting organisms sharing an environment, often studied in terms of their relationships and dynamics. – The microbial community in the human gut plays a crucial role in digestion and overall health.
Evolution – The process by which different kinds of living organisms develop and diversify from earlier forms over generations. – The theory of evolution by natural selection is a fundamental concept in understanding the diversity of life on Earth.
