Because of the diversity of U.S. museums and the academic background required for directorship and curatorial positions, high school students should simply concentrate on doing well in academic studies as preparation for either field. Museum directorships and curatorial positions are highly competitive and reward high academic achievement. Outside of school, participation in clubs that involve fund-raising activities can serve as a strong introduction to one important aspect of a museum director's job. Becoming the president of one of these clubs can provide you with supervisory skills and experience with delegating authority.
Museums offer public programs for people of all ages. Field trips or tours introduce students to activities conducted by local museums. You may consider participating in an archaeological dig. College-age students may work at museums as volunteers or perhaps as interns for course credit. Depending on the museum's needs, volunteers and interns may be placed anywhere in the museum, including administration, archives, and other areas where a student may observe staff functions firsthand.
Participate in information interviews with museum directors and curators to learn more about the field. In such an interview—which can be conducted in-person, on the phone, or through video-conferencing technology—you will get the opportunity to ask a director or curator about their job duties, work environment, likes and dislikes about their careers, educational training, and other topics that will help you to learn more about the field. Ask your school counselor or a teacher to help you set up information interviews. Perhaps you could also job-shadow a director or curator.
- Active and Contemplative Religious Sisters and Brothers
- Adventure Travel Specialists
- Amusement Park Workers
- Anthropologists
- Arborists
- Archaeologists
- Archivists
- Artists
- Bicycle Mechanics
- Book Conservators
- Botanists
- Civil Engineers
- Conservators and Conservation Technicians
- Cruise Ship Workers
- Directors of Corporate Sponsorship
- Directors of Fund-Raising
- Directors of Volunteers
- Ecologists
- Education Directors and Museum Teachers
- Environmental Education Program Directors
- Environmental Lawyers
- Environmental Lobbyists
- Environmental Planners
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Environmental Scientists
- EPA Special Agents
- Ethnoscientists
- Exhibit Designers
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Flight Attendants
- Foresters
- Forestry Technicians
- Fund-Raisers
- Gallery Owners and Directors
- Gaming Occupations
- Geological Technicians
- Geologists
- Geophysicists
- Grant Coordinators and Writers
- Grounds Managers
- Historians
- Historic Preservationists
- Hosts/Hostesses
- Inbound Tour Guides
- Land Acquisition Professionals
- Land Trust or Preserve Managers
- Landscapers
- Librarians
- Lifeguards and Swimming Instructors
- Lobbyists
- Marine Biologists
- Museum Attendants
- Museum Technicians
- Music Venue Owners and Managers
- National Park Service Employees
- Naturalists
- Nonprofit Social Service Directors
- Occupational Safety and Health Workers
- Park Rangers
- Parking Attendants
- Pilots
- Proposal Managers
- Public Interest Lawyers
- Public Opinion Researchers
- Public Relations Specialists
- Rabbis
- Range Managers
- Recreation Workers
- Reservation and Ticket Agents
- Resort Workers
- Rewilders
- Roman Catholic Priests
- Ship's Captains
- Ski Resort Workers
- Social Workers
- Soil Conservationists and Technicians
- Soil Scientists
- Spa Attendants
- Spa Managers
- Space Tourism Managers
- Sports Facility Managers
- Sports Instructors and Coaches
- Stadium Ushers and Vendors
- Strength and Conditioning Coaches
- Swimming Pool Designers
- Taxidermists
- Tour Guides
- Travel Agents
- Wildland Firefighters
- Yoga and Pilates Instructors
- Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors
- Zookeepers
- Zoologists