New Kid on the Block

By Katie Williams

I would like to share my experiences as a young professional, in my first full-time museum job.  It has been a wild ride to get to where I am now – an Education Assistant at the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) in Seattle. I will attempt to tell you a little bit about the journey at my new job and what I have learned so far.

What does it mean to be African American in the Pacific Northwest? It is a beautiful range of colors and hues --  a diversity of experiences and locations.  African Americans come from a variety of countries of origin, both known and unknown representing an assortment of religions,  a staggering array of occupations,  a multitude of co-workers, neighbors, friends and families, and an ever evolving community that continues to shape and reshape the human experience in the Pacific Northwest region. The Northwest African American Museum invites you to explore this continually changing story, for it is yours, it is mine, it is all of ours.

What does it mean to be African American in the Pacific Northwest? It is a beautiful range of colors and hues -- a diversity of experiences and locations. African Americans come from a variety of countries of origin, both known and unknown representing an assortment of religions, a staggering array of occupations, a multitude of co-workers, neighbors, friends and families, and an ever evolving community that continues to shape and reshape the human experience in the Pacific Northwest region. The Northwest African American Museum invites you to explore this continually changing story, for it is yours, it is mine, it is all of ours. (source: http://www.naamnw.org/)

After eight months of solid job searching and near misses with three different jobs, I finally found this position. One critical factor that helped me land this job is my previous volunteer and intern experience. I encourage everyone who is now looking for employment or will be in the future, to keep volunteering; anywhere and everywhere. Many of the staff members here at NAAM got their jobs by volunteering first.  Both of the museums I volunteered at in Seattle, the Wing Luke Asian Museum and the Nordic Heritage Museum, are models for the newly opened NAAM.  There was no way I could have known this, but it made me a much more attractive job candidate.  I added it up recently, and I have worked at eight different museums since I decided to go down this career path.  Another important factor for this job is my graduate degree. The classes I took, the internships to earn the degree, as well as the confidence and “can-do-it-ness” my grad program gave me, prepared me well for this position. I can say without a doubt I have drawn on all my previous experience in my new position. 

NAAM is a brand new museum, being open only been open a year when I started in March.  I came in at an exciting time when they had both the funding, and now the staff, to do many of projects they would like to.  This was the opportunity I had hoped for, the chance to put my skills into practice and help create something meaningful for the community.

Much has been expected of me from my very first day in this position.  When I first started I heard the phrase, “you have a master’s, what would do you think?”  I have never been in a position where I felt respected for the skills I have and it is very encouraging. It is also challenging.  My co-workers expect more from me, and I feel pressure to live up to these invisible standards. Whenever I heard someone say that, I wanted to say, “You have been working here much longer than I have, what do you think?” I want to be seen as a colleague, and part of the team.  I also want everyone to feel that their opinion is respected, which it should be.

Since beginning, it has been a balancing act to prioritize the projects I am given and the ones I take on.  My big project -creating educational outreach trunks- seems to get pushed back each time a new and more demanding deadline appears.  This has been a source of frustration, but also in recognizing this, I do not feel as bad when I have to say no to other projects that come along.  In the beginning I said yes to everything.  And I wanted to. Now I realize for self-preservation, it is OK to say no sometimes.

I still am finding a balance between helping everyone, doing my work, and staying sane.  I am able to work on some great projects, and since we are a small museum, those projects are very diverse.  In addition to my duties in education, I have been pulled in to work an upcoming exhibit, handle object donations, and work with our Board of Directors. Though all of the projects put together can sometimes be overwhelming, I love the variety. Outside of work, I find it is essential to take care of myself. Yoga, vegetables, and spending time with friends are essentials; weekends are sacred. I will of course come in when I am needed, and I do. But a big lesson in my career has been the importance of professional and personal balance. It took time for me to realize that it is just as important to take time for myself too.

I enjoy my position.  Each day is different and each day comes with a new set of challenges to overcome.  This is a great place to be, even if it can be overwhelming sometimes.  I work with a great staff and feel supported and encouraged in everything I do.  Just today my boss said thank you for coming in each day, staying late for meetings and coming in the next day with no complaints.  I said it was no problem, it’s my job.  But it felt great to be recognized for the work I do each day.

Categories: Administration · Education

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Comments

hey, Katie, this is GREAT! It's like a breath of fresh air in a way...with all the other stuff that's been floating around about workingin museums, museum studies etc.

I especially like how it has opened my eyes to important identity-based spaces around Seattle!

Best of luck in all your persue!

How wonderful that your boss takes the time to say thank you for being there, doing the work, trying your best, and learning along the way. The big payoff is that first job where it clicks. Keep this blog posted along the way: it is a nice reminder for those in the biz for a while about how the beginning had such amazement, and will be a great marker for others just starting to see how things change.

Thanks for the post Katie.

Thanks, Susan! I had great teachers to help me out.

Katie,

I'm with James--I had no idea there were so many identity-based museums in Seattle. I've been hoping to make a family trip there sometime in the next couple of years, and now I have some more stops to add to the list.

I'm so glad you're enjoying your job, that you're listened to and respected by your coworkers, and that you get to pitch in on all kinds of projects. It's also nice to hear the museum has funding. Speaking from experience, I can tell you there's nothing worse than working in a museum with no real funding and where the exciting ideas of new and/or front-line education staff never seem to get implemented, even if they're low-cost and thoughtful.

Congrats to both you and NAAM for forging such a terrific relationship!

Katie, this is wonderful to read! It is especially gratifying in three ways: that the other culturally specific museums where you worked are seen as models, that you are openly appreciated by your colleagues (this is very important for job happiness), and that your graduate studies have prepared you for this. Thank you for sharing -- you go, girl!

Thank you, Margaret!

"But it felt great to be recognized for the work I do each day." Amen sister! I thank you for doing the work too! AND congrats on the patience and perseverance on the job hunt front.

I have some questions:

What do you think it is about Seattle that cultivates such a respect and attention to identity-based museums? (...and what can other areas learn from this...?)

You mention volunteering as an asset in your backpack of experience. Would you say that flexibility in location is another? I'm seeing a lot of people want careers in big metros, but aren't able/willing to move to a tiny town. I'm making the assumption that you were living in the Bay Area, I think.

Flexibility in location is very beneficial for finding a job. However, moving is difficult, and expensive depending on how far it is. I moved from the Bay Area to Seattle because I wanted to be closer to family (Spokane and Portland), and I thought that there might be more opportunities in this city. It worked for me, and there are great opportunities if you are willing to relocate.

Really nice post Katie. Personally I've had heaps of interns at my place and I think I learn way more from them than they do from me I'm sure!

Asking good questions and reminding us about the enthusiam we had when we entered our profression is a good thing.

I'm really grateful that you seem to have landed in a nice place that respects you - that's a good way for them to earn your loyalty and vie versa.

Best of luck to you!

Thank you, Lynda! I do need to put the call out for interns, and I'm sure it would be very beneficial. I have landed in a great spot, and it is nice to see that reflected in your comments.

Katie,
Thanks for the post. It reminded me of starting my first museum job at Chicago Children's Museum: overwhelming, fun, challenging. Sounds like you have learned the "balance" lesson a lot earlier than I did.

Thanks for reminding us all why we work in this field.

Thanks, Stephanie

I am still learning the "balance" part, it is a work in progress. If you have any tips, let me know!

Thank you for your positive words.

"Bravo" to your thumbs-up for volunteer and internship experiences. Those opportunities can be uncommonly enriching. I'm wondering when you think you'll be ready to take on an intern or two yourself?

Lidja,
I managed an intern who took photos for the upcoming exhibit. She was wonderful and professional, and I learned so much from her! I do need to delegate and perhaps take on an intern for my Story Trunks (outreach kits). It is odd to make that jump, because I am used to being that intern.

Thank you! I have been pondering why Seattle supports identity-based museums. We have very strong communities here, and many people who support and celebrate diversity. The museums I mentioned all have large populations in Seattle. Many people from the Nordic countries moved to the Ballard area of Seattle, and many people of Asian descent came to what is now the International District. At one time African Americans were only allowed to live in the Central District due to redlining. Museums for each community have now been created in the neighborhoods they first lived in. Also, there are funding opportunities in King County, 4Culture, and of course nationally that make it easier to support the museums. If any other readers have additional comments, please respond to this conversation!

Katie, your observations about the power of volunteering/interning at an institution as a way in the door perfectly match my experience. It's delightful to read such a solid, positive story, in the midst of a very tough time for job seekers. Your 8 month hunt is not minimized, but the cumulative impact of all your professional efforts shines through.

Thank you so much, Valerie. I appreciate your comments and I'm glad your enjoyed the post.

Great post, Katie. I'm especially glad to hear that you are finding tangible benefits from getting your Master's degree, especially with the Masters-dissing game that has been going on in AAM venues and by individuals who hold Board-level positions in AAM committees. I find it SO dismaying that Museum Studies education is not valued by AAM itself.

BTW, I took your advice about volunteering and it has paid off for me. I'm now employed again after many many months of no pay.

Take care -- Tisha

Thank you for your comment, Margie! It is wonderful to hear that museum studies grad students have helped you so much. So many interns put in countless hours paid and unpaid, and it is encouraging that you not only appreciate but also commend their efforts. We will be in touch! - Katie

Hi Katie,

Thank you for writing this article for Westmuse. We all need steady reminders that there is a strong and supportive community of museum professionals who share so many common experiences like the one you describe. I want to declare here and now I would not be where I am today without the tireless, creative work of museum studies grad students. I am always excited to host an internship or a paid fellowship. This fall alone, EMP's education and public programming departments will employ 5 students as interns, fellows, and/or work study.

Katie let's talk shop soon! I have some ideas of how EMP and NWAAM can collaborate on teen programming, and in the interest of life/work balance, share the load!

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