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Volunteering?

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by nkt345 (U6864698) on Wednesday, 13th December 2006

  Hello,
  
  I've just graduated from the University of Birmingham with a BA in Archaeology and Ancient History, I'm postive that I want to work in Museums and have a place on an MA in Museum Studies at Durham. However I'm having no luck finding a history related job in the mean time and figure I must be lacking experience that stands out. Does anyone have any interesting suggestions or comments? Does anyone know how to get voluntary experience with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ History?
  
  Please help. I'm concerned that unless I can get some experience that stands out I'll never be employed. So far I have volunteered at the Musuem of London, Natural History Museum, Finds Archaeological Unit, University of Birmingham, been on a 3 week excavation in Italy and have recently been employed as a weekend visitor services assistant in a museum in London.
  
  Despite this I can't get a related full time job. I'd love to hear from anyone in the same position as I'm feeling quite lost.

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Crystal Clear (U1010754) on Thursday, 14th December 2006

  Hey just want to wish you luck, really sorry but im fresh out of ideas, you may have to wait until you can actually complete your masters and continue with any part time work you can get close to you in Durham. I am just finishing a 3 year BA in the same course and at the same university! It also depends on what sort of work you have done in the museums, is it archiving you are interested in?

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• Message 3

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  Posted by IntheNorth (U7684402) on Sunday, 4th March 2007

  Hi, I also wish you luck finding something, i'm in the same position as you and am finding it hard. I did Ancient History and Archaeology as well (Liverpool). You could try the National Trust, although they are not a museum as such, a lot of their properties do have museum status and the skills you would learn with them would be relevant in a museum context. Also, you get to work in beautiful surroundings!
  All the best.

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• Message 4

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  Posted by widget (U2260877) on Sunday, 4th March 2007

  Hi there
  
  Best of luck with your search! I'm currently doing a BA in Heritage studies and will hopefully being going into the field of Heritage Management/curatorship. I currently recieve email job alerts from the Guardian which are always relevant the link is
  
  You could also try your local Council heritage or archaeology dept, or even your local heritage trust.
  
  Hope this helps a little bit!

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• Message 5

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  Posted by shufflin' peasant (U1778121) on Wednesday, 7th March 2007

  You might consider a career in archives.
  
  Take a look at the careers section of the Society of Archivists website www.archives.org.uk
  
  Generally, you need to do a year in an archive (usually a county record office) as a graduate trainee. This pays about 12k for the year so is not voluntary and there is competition for places. Then an MSc in archive administration at Aberystwyth, Bangor, Liverpool or UCL (time for a career development loan!).
  
  Then there are jobs in county archives, cathedrals, universities and private companies. I did mine a few years ago and have friends who work/have worked for county archives, Oxfam, London and Cambridge University colleges, the Post Office and Barclays Bank.
  
  The money is poor: 18-22K post qualification jobs which would normally last 3-6 years depending on luck and other experience, then 24-30k for more senior positions. Obviously, the private companies pay more than state sector. There is always the chance of moving into modern records management - very dull, but better pay.
  

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• Message 6

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  Posted by generallobus (U1869191) on Wednesday, 7th March 2007

  re message 3
  
  Inthenorth
  
  I did the same degree. When did you graduate and how are things in Abercrombie Square? Some good lecturers there. I remember chris mee and phil freeman as particularly approachable.
  
  
  Cheers
  L

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• Message 7

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  Posted by IntheNorth (U7684402) on Friday, 9th March 2007

  generallobus
  
  I graduated in June last year, so haven't been to Abercrombie in a while but i'm sure its still there! Don't really know about Phil Freeman but I did have a few things with Chris Mee and he was always helpful and approachable as you say, so i agree! My favourite was Christopher Tuplin, even though some of his lectures were almost impenetrable
  
  Regards

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• Message 8

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  Posted by Anglo-Norman (U1965016) on Sunday, 18th March 2007

  I'm just edging towards the end of my Museum Studies MA at Newcastle (just the dissertation and work placement to go now... 'just' he says. Ha!) The market is very competative at the moment. Budgets are in decline (partly due to govt and lottery funding being redirected to the Olympics, grrr...)
  
  You're likely to have more success in the summer when museums start larger projects. I wouldn't know where to suggest down South. Up North you could try the Great North Museum (ex-Hancock) who I believe are looking for help conserving the collections. Vindolanda is usually happy to oblige with placements on their digs, especially if you have experience. It would also be worth getting in touch with (or even joining - they do a cheap student rate) the Museums Association.

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• Message 9

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  Posted by generallobus (U1869191) on Monday, 19th March 2007

  Inthenorth
  
  Thanks for replying. I had a great moment with Chris Mee one time. he was running a lecture on greek art and showing a slide of some Athenian plate with apicture of a satyr with a huge youknowwhat chasing a meanad. When asked what he was doing Dr Mee said 'Ah, he's pressing his suit'.
  
  I think this must be my favourite euphemism ever.

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