This internship is the start of my career. As an anthropology major and someone who aspires to be a museum curator someday, this is a great springboard for a future career. In the short time I’ve been interning with the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, I’ve benefited from seeing how different departments operate and how they work with one another and gain invaluable connections. For anyone going into museum work, it is always helpful to have knowledge about the kind of things that the museum is showcasing. However, I think the fun part is that you’ll still end up learning new things regardless of the amount of knowledge you had going into the position.
Out of the career options that an anthropology degree can get you, museums are the most appealing to me. They are a way for people to learn about the world around them, offer positive connections and experiences for your guests, host workshops led by members of the community for members of the community, and serve as a safe place for historical artifacts. I want to travel and learn more about the world around me and I think that working in museums will not only provide me with that opportunity but also give it a chance to share it with the public.
Oftentimes you’ll need a bachelor’s degree to really get into museum work, Though, there are entry level positions that help you get your feet wet while you’re working towards one. Those positions, like the internship I’m working in now, allow for you to prove yourself as a positive member of the museum team and could give you a greater chance at employment or higher opportunities in the field. For those who are considering joining a museum for their internship, my main advice to you would be to go into it with an open mind. Museum’s are all the things I’ve mentioned previously, but they are also a place where you’ll find many different people with many different opinions and experiences and levels of knowledge on certain aspects. If you are open to learning, and better yet applying what you have learned to the work you put into your goals, there will be no stopping you.
I don't have any pictures of myself at the museum so I hope this serves as a relevant picture
Hi Connor! The Las Vegas Natural History Museum sounds like a super cool and interesting place to spend your summer. It sounds like this was the perfect experience for you to gain more knowledge and experience of the day-to-day proceedings of what your future career may look like. Networking is a great tool and is vital to being successful in any career, and I am so glad you were exposed to some influential people who can serve as guides to your success in this field. Your last thoughts are poignant and really stood out to me, and I agree wholeheartedly that navigating any situation with an open mind is the key to remaining level-headed. I hope you continue to excel on your path to becoming a Museum Curator, great job on taking a first step towards your future!
Hi Connor! I am pretty jealous that you got to intern at the museum. Had I had the time, I would have loved to intern there as well. I can only imagine the different types of people you meet daily, probably from various walks of life, offering insight and new perspectives. In addition, you are surrounded by so much information that I'm sure it was difficult for you to walk out of there each day without having learned a few fun facts.
I hope the rest of your internship is as fun as you have made it seem so far and I wish you the best!
A fellow anthropology major,
Jade