A Life in Museums: Managing Your Museum Career [Paperback]

Greg Stevens (Editor), Wendy Luke (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 19, 2012

Whether you're an experienced leader, a mid-career professional hoping for a promotion, or a recent grad applying for your first internship, A Life in Museums: Managing Your Museum Career is the guide you need full of sound advice, practical tips, and illuminating personal stories that span the array of museum disciplines. Topics range from personal branding and resume writing to managing from the middle and leadership at all levels; from professional writing to keeping a career journal; from navigating within your institution to knowing when it s time to move on. This is a book you are sure to reference
and share for years to come.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A Life in Museums is destined to become the reference work of choice for museum professionals, from prospective to seasoned practitioners. This compendium of good counsel emphasizes how to recognize opportunities and handle challenges—an inspiring resource for firing up the initiative to take charge of your museum career.”

(Carol B. Stapp, director of the Museum Education Program, The George Washington )

About the Author

Greg Stevens has run the American Alliance of Museums’ Professional Development program since 2007, addressing career, management and leadership development, professional skills-building, and mentoring for the museum field. Wendy Luke is the founder of The HR Sage and has twenty years experience working with museums solving their toughest people problems.

Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: Amer Assn of Museums (April 19, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933253703
• ISBN-13: 978-1933253701
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 0.6 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #678,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Life in Museums: Managing Your Museum Career July 4, 2012

By Harriet Lynn

Format:Paperback

Editors and authors, Greg Stevens and Wendy Luke, have assembled both a very practical and entertaining "insiders view" of what goes on behind museums' "mysterious" walls for outsiders as well as insiders. The world of museums and those who work within these organizations need to know how to move into and also navigate their own careers once within. Here is a unique "go to guide" published by AAM Press of the American Association of Museums - the organization that is a leader in its field. Stevens and Luke, professionals themselves, share their knowledge generously throughout the book. They also call on over two dozen other museum professionals who in turn provide insights, specific knowledge, and at times reveal their own stories and unique situations, thus, making this book more intriguing and personal than just a "textbook" on how to succeed in a museum career. Whether a museum lover, college student, docent or a museum professional there is something for everyone in this book to absorb and learn about in a field that is forever evolving and changing. One theme stands out loud and clear for this reader is that there is no one path with so many avenues to explore and circumvent as well. One can cherry pick or read from cover to cover. Knowing what it takes and learning from those who live it day today is priceless.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable Interview Techniques July 5, 2012

By Dixie Clough

Format:Paperback

I am an emerging professional in the museum world and this book was worth its price for the job interview advice alone. After reading this book and following the steps, I am going to feel 100% more confident going into my next job interview. Add to that the useful advice and stories about turning your internship into a job, becoming a museum consultant, and navigating through various other stages of a museum career and this book is sure to be a resource I will go back to again and again throughout my time working in museums.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely helpful no matter your career status. January 23, 2013

By Emily

Format:Paperback

As a senior in college, I was unsure the direction I wanted to pursue for my career. Upon reading A Life in Museums, it was not only confirmed that I wanted to work in the museum field, it gave me countless inside tips that I would not have considered nor known about if I had not read this book. Not only would I recommend this book for those who are just beginning their journey into the magical world of museum work, but also for those professionals already involved in this type of work. The authors have included tips and reminders to those more senior professionals who might have just needed a reminder or two. While it is beneficial to read the whole book, it is not necessary. It it broken into sections so one can skip around and only read what is important to them without getting lost in some sort of ongoing narrative. It is well written, easy to follow, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in working in this field.