Many History students consider a career in the heritage sector, working to broaden the reach and appeal of history to the general public.
Why volunteer in museums?
This is a sector which, contrary to some students’ expectations, is highly competitive. Most museum staff, whether curators and conservationists, learning and outreach officers, and managers, typically have over a year’s worth of voluntary experience with one or more organisations, and an MA qualification in Museum or Heritage Studies, or Curating.
- Prospects.ac.uk job profiles – Heritage Manager and Museum Curator
- I want to work in … the heritage sector – the CES website has a wealth of information and links to resources
As such, if you speak to anyone working in the heritage sector they will tell you that gaining relevant volunteering experience as early as possible is very important to starting out in that career. And, of course, if you aren’t planning a career in heritage but would like to use some of your free time to develop your work experience and skills base, working in museums is an excellent way to do that.
Finding volunteering opportunities
Below are a few of the heritage organisations who regularly advertise volunteering opportunities through the School of History. You can search their websites for current opportunities, and/or submit speculative applications if nothing is immediately available.
- English Heritage – Kent opportunities
- Chatham Historic Dockyard
- The Powell-Cotton Museum – contact Rebecca Gazey, the Learning Officer at the museum, at rebecca.gazey@quexmuseum.org
- The Beaney
- The Careers and Employability Service’s page on working in the heritage sector also lists dozens of organisations with which you might find volunteering opportunities
Most museums, from the largest institutions to the smallest local groups, run on the work done by volunteers. It is always worth preparing a CV and covering letter and submitting a speculative application to any organisations you are aware of and with whom you would like to work.
