26. Our AAM Recap: Connections, Careers, and Curate Your Community

26. Our AAM Recap: Connections, Careers, and Curate Your Community

WHAT WE LEARNED AT AAM Fresh off the American Alliance of Museums Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Elin and Alli are reflecting on their biggest takeaways. It's not from the sessions, but from the conversations, connections, and unexpected moments that happened in between. In this informal recap episode, they discuss what it was like attending AAM as independent museum professionals, how networking feels different when you're no longer representing an institution, and why some of the most valuable conference experiences happen outside the convention center. Elin shares her strategy of walking the expo hall and talking directly with vendors to uncover career opportunities for museum professionals. Along the way, she discovered hiring trends, museum-adjacent industries looking for talent, and new possibilities for professionals interested in staying connected to the field in different ways. Alli reflects on the power of peer-to-peer networking, reconnecting with colleagues, and finding inspiration through conversations with other independent museum professionals. Together, they explore how conferences can create meaningful opportunities for collaboration, problem-solving, and professional growth. The conversation also covers: * How to approach networking when you don't know anyone * Why smaller gatherings can sometimes be more valuable than large networking events * The importance of planning for rest and recharging during conferences * How to follow up after a conference so those connections don't disappear * The value of attending conferences outside your immediate field * Emerging ideas for building community beyond annual conferences Plus, Elin and Alli introduce an early concept they're exploring: Curate Your Community, a potential initiative focused on creating more opportunities for museum professionals to connect in person throughout the year, not just at conferences. Whether you attended AAM this year, are considering a conference in the future, or simply want to build stronger professional connections, this episode offers practical advice and honest reflections on what makes these gatherings meaningful. IN THIS EPISODE * Elin's "conference floor hustle" and what she learned from museum vendors * Museum-adjacent industries hiring right now * The surprising value of informal networking * Why knowing your personality matters when planning conference experiences * Post-conference follow-up strategies that actually work * The role of community in sustaining museum careers * Early thoughts on Curate Your Community MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * American Alliance of Museums (AAM) * Museum Archipelago * American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) * Science History Institute * African American Museum in Philadelphia * Museum Workers Advocacy Day * Curate Your Community (in development) WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU Did you attend AAM? What was your biggest takeaway? And what do you think about the idea of Curate Your Community? We'd love to hear your thoughts, feedback, and ideas as we continue exploring what meaningful connection and community could look like for museum professionals.

25. From Teacher to Curator of Education: What Actually Helped Will Break Into Museums

For two years, Will did everything he thought he was supposed to do. He applied for museum jobs. He followed up. He networked. He hired a resume writer. He earned a master's degree. He volunteered. And still...nothing. In this episode, we sit down with Will Turner, a former high school history teacher who spent two years trying to break into museums before finally landing his current role as Curator of Education at the Museum of Florida History. But this conversation isn't just about a successful career transition. It's about what happens when you're qualified, motivated, and doing the work... but your applications still aren't landing. Will shares the realities of transitioning from education into museums, including: * why his teaching resume wasn't working * the biggest misconceptions he had about museum hiring * how volunteering and relationship-building opened doors * the role networking actually played in his transition * why generic resume advice often falls short * how interview preparation became the missing piece * and what finally helped him stand out in a crowded applicant pool We also discuss the emotional side of career transitions: rejection, confidence, geographic flexibility, and learning how to tell a compelling story about your experience. If you've ever thought: "I know I have the skills. Why isn't this working?" This episode is for you. ---------------------------------------- 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS * Museum hiring often requires translating your experience into museum-specific language. * A strong resume alone isn't always enough, interview preparation matters too. * Volunteering can be a powerful way to gain experience and build relationships within the field. * Networking works best when it happens through genuine involvement in the community. * Teachers often underestimate how many leadership and project management skills they already have. * Rejection doesn't always mean you're unqualified. Sometimes it's simply about fit, timing, or competition. * Confidence is often built through the process, not before it. * Breaking into museums can take longer than expected, but strategic adjustments can make a huge difference.

24. How to Be a LinkedIn Baddie

We get asked about resumes. We get asked about cover letters. We get asked about interviews. And we get a lot of questions about LinkedIn. How often should you post? Do recruiters actually find people there? Do you need LinkedIn Premium? Should you be networking with strangers? And what does it actually mean to have a "personal brand"? In this episode, Elin Filbey and Alli Schell break down what LinkedIn is really good for and what people tend to overthink. Whether you're trying to grow your museum career, build your professional reputation, transition out of the field, or simply understand why everyone seems obsessed with LinkedIn, this episode covers the practical strategies that actually matter. They discuss: * why LinkedIn is less about being discovered and more about being seen * how museum professionals use LinkedIn differently than many other industries * networking tips that don't feel transactional or awkward * how to make your profile stronger without spending hours updating it * using LinkedIn as a research and job search tool * personal branding without becoming a "thought leader" * and why you probably don't need LinkedIn Premium They also cover: * profile headlines and About sections * networking messages that actually get responses * using LinkedIn to explore new industries * following companies and professionals strategically * the Featured section and portfolio content * and why "Easy Apply" isn't always your friend Throughout the episode, they come back to one core idea: You don't need to become a LinkedIn influencer. You just need a profile that tells a clear story about who you are, what you do, and where you're headed. ---------------------------------------- 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS * LinkedIn is often more valuable as a networking and research tool than a recruiting tool for museum professionals. * You are the curator of your own LinkedIn algorithm, engage with the content you want to see more of. * Following people and companies strategically can improve both networking opportunities and job discovery. * Thoughtful connection requests outperform generic networking messages. * Personal branding doesn't require posting every day or becoming a content creator. * Your headline and About section are opportunities to tell a story, not just list job titles. * Museum professionals looking to leave the field should focus on translating (not hiding) their experience. * Most people are paying far less attention to your profile changes than you think. * LinkedIn Premium is rarely necessary. * "Easy Apply" should be approached with caution. ---------------------------------------- ⏱ CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to LinkedIn Baddie School 02:00 Love it or hate it: our honest LinkedIn opinions 10:00 You are the curator of your algorithm 13:00 How museum professionals actually use LinkedIn 17:00 Networking without being weird 24:00 Informational interviews and career exploration 29:00 Personal branding without becoming an influencer 33:00 What kind of content should you post? 40:00 How to translate your profile for a career change 43:00 Headlines, banners, and About sections 52:00 What belongs in your experience section? 56:00 Job searching on LinkedIn 1:00:00 Why Easy Apply can be a trap

23. Why Your Cover Letter Isn't Working (And What to Do About It)

If writing a cover letter feels like staring at a blank screen while questioning every career decision you've ever made... you're not alone. In this episode, Elin Filbey and Alli Schell tackle one of the most frustrating parts of the job application process: the cover letter. Because despite what many job seekers hope, a cover letter isn't just a formality. In museums especially, it can be the difference between getting an interview and getting passed over. The problem? Most people were never actually taught how to write an effective cover letter. Instead, they rely on outdated templates, generic examples, or end up treating the cover letter like a second resume. Throughout the conversation, Elin and Alli break down: * why cover letters feel so overwhelming in the first place * the biggest mistakes they see museum professionals making * why your cover letter is not a resume in paragraph form * how storytelling can strengthen your application * and why hiring managers are not going to "connect the dots" for you They also dive into: * how to identify the most important themes in a job description * why you should focus on a few strong examples instead of trying to include everything * how to create reusable "core stories" that make future applications easier * why your opening paragraph matters more than you think * and how to explain career transitions and transferable skills more effectively One of the biggest themes throughout the episode is the importance of answering a simple question: Why you? Why this job? Because the strongest cover letters don't just summarize experience. They help the hiring manager understand why you're a fit and envision you in the role. The goal is to make it obvious why you belong there. Whether you're applying for museum jobs, fellowships, internships, or trying to transition into a new role, this episode will help you rethink your cover letter strategy and approach applications with more confidence (and hopefully fewer tears). CHAPTERS 00:00 Why cover letters feel so hard 01:45 What cover letters are actually supposed to do 04:00 Why museum employers still care about cover letters 07:00 Cover letter formatting and length 10:00 The mistake of treating your cover letter like a resume 12:00 Using storytelling to strengthen your application 15:00 Building reusable "core stories" 18:00 Balancing customization with application volume 20:00 Why your opening paragraph matters 22:00 Don't bury the lead 24:00 Answering "Why you? Why this job?" 28:00 Speaking directly to the job description 31:00 Connecting the dots for hiring managers 34:00 Showing impact through stories and examples 37:00 The fine line between too vague and too detailed 40:00 Cover letter alternatives and hiring trends 42:00 Internships, fellowships, and statements of interest 45:00 Final takeaways: clarity, storytelling, and alignment KEYWORDS museum careers cover letter tips museum cover letters museum professionals job search strategy museum job search museum jobs career transitions transferable skills museum internships museum fellowships job applications career coaching museum career coach cover letter mistakes hiring managers storytelling in job applications

22. Live from the American Alliance of Museum Annual Conference: Special Mailbag Episode

In this special live episode of Curate Your Career, Elin Filbey and Alli Schell take the podcast on the road to the American Alliance of Museums Annual Meeting for their very first live audience recording. What started as a shared idea between two internet friends became a candid, funny, and deeply honest conversation about the realities of museum careers and the questions museum professionals are actually asking behind the scenes. Using audience-submitted questions, Elin and Alli tackle topics including: * toxic workplaces and difficult bosses * leaving museum jobs without another role lined up * navigating specialization vs. being a museum “generalist” * museum grad school and higher education realities * resume strategy and transferable skills * job searching outside the museum field * networking (or “fellowshipping”) * and how to build sustainable careers in and beyond museums They also discuss: * the emotional realities of burnout and underemployment * why museum professionals often undersell their skills * the importance of hands-on experience in today’s hiring market * and how career conversations in museums are often happening quietly behind the scenes instead of openly on conference stages Throughout the episode, one thing becomes clear: 👉 Museum professionals are incredibly skilled, adaptable, and resourceful 👉 But many are navigating systems that make career growth and sustainability difficult This live conversation creates space for honesty, nuance, and practical advice. Whether you want to stay in museums, leave museums, or simply feel less alone while figuring things out. And yes… there are also several references to fantasy romance novels, networking awkwardness, and museum people being “emotional scapegoats for the board.” ---------------------------------------- ⏱ CHAPTERS 00:00 Live from AAM: introducing the podcast 03:00 Why we started Curate Your Career 05:00 Grad school discourse and the 3-part series 08:00 “Aching in the Archives” — feeling isolated in museum work 15:00 Transitioning from archival work into public-facing roles 16:00 Toxic bosses and leaving difficult workplaces 20:00 References, reputation, and museum world politics 24:00 Being a museum generalist vs specialist 31:00 Career advice for museum studies students 35:00 Grad school myths and “the hustle” 38:00 Leaving museums for full-time work and stability 44:00 Networking, LinkedIn, and building community 46:00 Labor organizing and transferable skills 49:00 Museum job boards and accessibility issues 54:00 Elin’s career transition story 57:00 Why these conversations matter ---------------------------------------- 🔍 KEYWORDS museum careers museum jobs museum professionals museum burnout museum grad school career transitions museum networking museum resumes museum job search museum career advice AAM conference museum studies careers transferable skills leaving museums