My Dream Job
What do I want to be when I grow up?
I want to be a conservator at a museum. I want to take care of valuable historical objects that need to be preserved by using the intricacies of science.
How will I get there?
I am currently pursuing this career by earning a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry as well as a certificate in museum studies. During and after my undergraduate degree, I plan to gain experience in a conservation lab as a technician to learn the basic skills of the trade. Then I would like to go to graduate school for conservation, although the available programs are very sparse, selective, and specialized. These schools require a background in chemistry, anthropology, studio art, art history, and direct conservation experience.¹ With a master's degree from a conservation program, I would be well-prepared to be a conservator at a museum or conservation firm.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for museum technicians and conservators is $40,670.² According to the American Alliance of Museums 2017 National Salary Survey, conservators at museums make a median of $54,000 to $75,000 per year (depending on rank) with the large majority of people in those positions holding master's degrees.³
What will I be doing every day?
Conservators are responsible for preserving, treating, cleaning, and repairing all the items at a museum, both on display and in the collection. These can include objects, photographs, paper, paintings, textiles, and more, which may be made of traditional or new (modern) materials. They work with installers, preparators, curators, and the collections management team to make sure the items are kept safe.⁴ Without conservators, objects at a museum could be irreversibly harmed by time, dust, temperature, moisture, light, pollution, insects, and humans. In order to best fight these damaging culprits, conservators must research the best treatment solution for each object.⁵
Being a conservator requires patience and attention to detail, but the job is especially interesting because every day is different and filled with new problem solving challenges.⁴
Conservators are mostly found at large museums that can financially support an entire position(s) dedicated to the in-house preservation of the collection.³
Why do I want to do this?
My Top 5 CliftonStrengths⁶ are...
Relator: achieving a goal with a group
Competition: rising above the rest
Responsibility: taking psychological ownership
Context: understanding the present through the past
Input: gathering information and ideas
I believe my strengths will be beneficial in my career as a museum conservator. Relator will be important when working with other museum professionals to take the best care of the collection. Competition will help me stay motivated and get jobs that I really want. I will take Responsibility for all the fragile items I am handling to ensure they stay safe. Because of Context, I can see the value the objects I will be taking care of and the need to keep them protected for future generations to be able to learn through. Input will be useful in researching proper treatments and daily problem-solving. I believe these five strengths combined will make me a successful conservator.