[Nhcoll-l] Graduate studies and Curator/collections manager qualification

[Cody Thompson]

Echoing Jon here!  I think there definitely is a place for non-museums
studies backgrounds in collection management, but it depends on the needs
and size of the collection, as well as its current personnel, for what
might be appropriate.

For example, in my collection, I think it would be hard to keep up with the
current needs of the science without having a graduate degree in
collections-based mammalogy.  At my institution, there are also limitations
on one's ability to seek out funding opportunities without having a faculty
title, which makes it difficult to secure a NSF collections support grant,
IMLS funding, or other external support without PI status.

That said, I do not think there is a one-size fits all option here.  I
think the current job market does allow for diverse museum backgrounds and
education.  However, in the end, it really depends on what you want as a
professional.

Take care,
Cody

Cody W. Thompson, PhD
Mammal Collections Manager
& Associate Research Scientist
University of Michigan
Museum of Zoology
3600 Varsity Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108
Office: (734) 615-2810
Fax: (734) 763-4080
Email: cwthomp at umich.edu
Website: codythompson.org

*Please click here to support the UMMZ Mammal Division, its collections,
and research mission!!!*
<https://lsa.umich.edu/ummz/mammals/donate-to-the-mammal-division.html>


On Thu, Nov 16, 2023 at 10:22 AM Jonathan Dunnum <jldunnum at unm.edu> wrote:

> Hi Ben,
> I'll add that there are actually a number of institutions with PhD level
> collection managers (e.g., MSB, MVZ, UMMZ). Typically, they are doing
> collection management/curation but have a research component as well.
>
> ______________________________________________________________
>
> Jonathan L. Dunnum Ph.D. (he, him, his)
> Senior Collection Manager
> Division of Mammals, Museum of Southwestern Biology
> University of New Mexico
> Albuquerque, NM 87131
> (505) 277-9262
> Fax (505) 277-1351
>
> Chair, Systematic Collections Committee, American Society of Mammalogists
> Latin American Fellowship Committee, ASM
>
> MSB Mammals website: http://www.msb.unm.edu/mammals/index.html
> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MSBDivisionofMammals
>
> Shipping Address:
> Museum of Southwestern Biology
> Division of Mammals
> University of New Mexico
> CERIA Bldg 83, Room 204
> Albuquerque, NM 87131
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> on behalf of
> Bentley, Andrew Charles <abentley at ku.edu>
> *Sent:* Thursday, November 16, 2023 8:04 AM
> *To:* Laura Rincón <collectionslitclub at gmail.com>; Benjamin Ehrman <
> benjaminaehrman at gmail.com>
> *Cc:* nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
> *Subject:* Re: [Nhcoll-l] Graduate studies and Curator/collections
> manager qualification
>
>
> *  [EXTERNAL]*
>
> It is important to note that in most degree programs, Museum Studies is a
> terminal Masters degree.  There are very few PhD opportunities in Museum
> Studies.  However, totally agree with Laura that a Masters in Museum
> Studies would certainly put you on the right track for that career path.
> As well as providing you with the necessary theoretical basis of collection
> management, most programs will also provide you with invaluable practical
> experience working in museum collections through an internship or other
> opportunities.
>
>
>
> If however you are interested in going into research then a curatorial
> position would require a PhD or even more commonly nowadays, due to the
> competition for positions, a post-doc.
>
>
>
> We have a great Museum Studies degree here at the University of Kansas and
> I teach the natural history component of the course.  I would be happy to
> answer any further questions you may have about this degree or career path.
>
>
>
> Andy
>
>     A  :             A  :             A  :
>  }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
>     V                V                V
> Andy Bentley
> Ichthyology Collection Manager
> University of Kansas
> Biodiversity Institute
>
> Dyche Hall
> 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
> Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
> USA
>
> Tel: (785) 864-3863
> Fax: (785) 864-5335
> Email: abentley at ku.edu
>
> ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3093-1258
>
> http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu
>
>     A  :             A  :             A  :
>  }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
>     V                V                V
>
>
>
> *From:* Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> * On Behalf Of *Laura
> Rincón
> *Sent:* Thursday, November 16, 2023 8:58 AM
> *To:* Benjamin Ehrman <benjaminaehrman at gmail.com>
> *Cc:* nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
> *Subject:* Re: [Nhcoll-l] Graduate studies and Curator/collections
> manager qualification
>
>
>
> Hello Benjamin,
>
>
>
> If you aspire to pursue a career as a manager, a background in museum
> studies would be ideal. This will provide you with knowledge in museums,
> collections management and care theories. Such training will enable you to
> contribute and reassess museum theories, management, administration,
> budgeting, personnel, collections practices and more. It will also help you
> envision how you can contribute to natural history collections, especially
> given the scarcity of museum studies professionals in natural history
> collections. In my opinion, I think that is very important to understand
> how the museum structure operates, including its history, culture (e.g;
> staff dynamics, workflow), and more. With this background, you will gain a
> better understanding of current practices and the reasons behind certain
> approaches. On the other hand, if you aim to work as a curator, a PhD in
> the relevant field is necessary, as the focus will be on research.
> Different museum positions require varying skills, so the specific
> requirements will depend on the job position.
>
>
>
> I hope my answer clears things up a little bit. Feel free to get in
> contact with me if you've more questions about it.
>
>
>
> Best,
>
>
>
> Laura A. Rincón R. |  Museum Studies professional
>
> Museum Specialist
>
> Division of Invertebrate Zoology
>
> American Museum of Natural History
>
> Central Park West at 79th Street
>
> New York, NY 10024
>
>
>
> Email: lrincon-rodriguez at amnh.org
> Twitter: @LauRincon222
>
>
>
> https://collectionslitclub.wordpress.com/
>
>
>
> “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget
> what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” Maya
> Angelou
>
>
>
> On Thu, Nov 16, 2023 at 7:36 AM Benjamin Ehrman <benjaminaehrman at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Greetings all,
>
>
>
> I was wondering if someone who has researched paleoecology (with respect
> to vertebrate paleontology) in their graduate program can qualify for a
> position as a collections manager, museum curator, lab technician, or
> similar positions?
>
>
>
> Are MSc or Phd degrees preferred?
>
>
>
> I have a masters degree and am interested in a PhD, and was wondering what
> sort of PhD programs would be ideal for this career path? Are there any
> other recommendations you would make for someone seeking that career path?
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Ben
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nhcoll-l mailing list
> Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
> https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l
>
> _______________________________________________
> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of
> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose
> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of
> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to
> society. See http://www.spnhc.org for membership information.
> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> *Laura A. Rincón R.* |  *Museum Studies professional*
>
> Museum Specialist
>
> Division of Invertebrate Zoology
>
> American Museum of Natural History
>
> Central Park West at 79th Street
>
> New York, NY 10024
>
>  https://collectionslitclub.wordpress.com/
>
>
>
> “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget
> what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” Maya
> Angelou
> _______________________________________________
> Nhcoll-l mailing list
> Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
> https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l
>
> _______________________________________________
> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of
> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose
> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of
> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to
> society. See http://www.spnhc.org for membership information.
> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20231116/02899fbb/attachment.html>