Gift Shop Manager At A Small Museum
Career review from a person working in the job
How I Got The Job
My Education: BA, Humanities, Stonehill College
My Prior Experience: I first worked as a gift shop manager and supervisor of volunteers at the Kendall Whaling Museum until it closed down and then I did the same job at a museum in Brockton, Massachusetts.
My Job Profile
My Company: A museum.
Job/Career Overview: I attend many craft shows throughout the state and introduce myself to artists. I also look on the internet for artists and speak to many people about artists. I make selections and take on consignment items to be sold in the gift shop. I am not an artist myself but appreciate art. As volunteer coordinator, I advertise in local papers looking for volunteers and speak to many people (locally) about becoming a volunteer. I try to fit the volunteer to the job. Once I have a new volunteer I usually train her myself if the job is for the gift shop. I hold meetings for the volunteers and once a year take an outing to another museum. The volunteers collect money at the door and keep an accurate count of all museum visitors.
More Insights: To work with beauty is the best job possible. It opens your mind and attitude. To see what men and women can make with their hands and minds is amazing. Monday is the best day because I have more time to explain things then.
Love It? Hate It?
I rate this career 8 out of 10.
What I Love or Hate
The worst part I find is the director of the museum who is not trained in museum studies but who knows the craft world. In order to work in a museum it is quite important to be educated in that field. The director knows only crafts and does not comprehend the importance of educating the public about crafts and art. She only knows how to make a buck.
The best part is selling a beautiful work of art to a person who appreciates it. It is also very nice to work with volunteers because I find volunteers are people who know a lot about many different things and are willing to work and share.
My Career Tips
1. Get an education in museum studies.
2. Learn to work well with people. It is up to the staff and your co-workers to sell the gift shop.
3. Volunteer yourself to get a sense how volunteers should be treated.
4. Always be kind to the visitors.
