What a Head of Exhibitions at UC Santa Cruz Arts and Sciences Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Museums and Arts Industry

Before I entered the industry, it wasn't clear to me what pathways were available. As a student studying studio art, I thought art studies only led to becoming an artist. I considered illustration, but my university didn't have that program.

I also didn't attend art school, so I wasn't taught by people already in the illustration industry. My understanding was that if you studied art and didn't become an artist, you were a failure. I realize that definition varies for many people, but my understanding was very narrow.

As an undergraduate, I thought success meant having gallery shows, representation, moving to New York, and being collected by MoMA. This very limited view wasn't even necessarily what I wanted. Because I wasn't pursuing that specific path, I felt lost.

I questioned if it was what I truly wanted. When you're studying for the first time, you learn a lot about yourself. I wish I had known about my current job and that there were places for me in museums.

In my experience now, art history students are aware they can work in museums in various departments and roles. However, as a studio art major with an education minor, I thought my only path was teaching. I had a very limited understanding of how I could apply my studies.

The jobs I held felt like I fell into them. In reality, it was likely my training, education, temperament, personality, interests, and skills combined. My formal education was a minor part of this.

I picked up many things along the way or already possessed them. I was always good at following instructions, like with IKEA furniture. This might seem specific, but it highlights that for someone with that kind of mechanical sensibility, there are many jobs where that physical intelligence and technical skill can be applied.

I wish I had known about the field and the pathways available before entering it. What I'm learning now in my professional development is the value of seeing role models with similar educational backgrounds.

Currently, I don't have a master's degree, but I see others in my position with similar backgrounds who have been at institutions for 20 years. The field was very different two decades ago. It's validating to see professionals who learned on the job and became integral to operations and growth without needing a specific academic pedigree.

That path wasn't available or financially feasible for me. Even if it had been, I'm not sure I would have known about it. Before entering the field, I wish someone had told me about the different options I had.