Despite their varied origins, museums serve a variety of purposes in society. Some are recreational facilities, others are educational resources, and still others have political, religious, or scholarly missions. Some museums have been created as part of a larger community effort to foster civic pride, attract tourism, or even transmit overtly ideological concepts. Whatever the purpose, they are bound by one common goal: preserving and interpreting material aspects of a society’s cultural consciousness.
While some museum careers are best suited for people with a background in art history, others are best suited for individuals with little or no experience in any of these fields. However, most people seeking a career in a museum should realize that the work is varied and diverse, and it can be extremely rewarding. For example, the job description for a museum director may be quite different from that of a director. The latter position will typically involve working with the public to ensure a successful exhibition and make sure visitors are informed about the museum’s mission.
A museum manager plays a vital role in the overall operation of the institution. They supervise and coach staff, work closely with Executive Management, and develop and implement sound policies and procedures. The role of this position is also highly responsible for managing the Museum’s accounting and IT department. As such, they ensure proper maintenance of the Museum’s systems and appropriate internal controls are in place. The role requires extensive knowledge of the principles of organization development, communications, and human resources management.
The word museum has ancient roots. Its origins are in the Greek word mouseion, which means “seat of the Muses.” In Roman times, the word “museum” was used to discuss philosophical matters. Ptolemy I Soter founded the great Museum of Alexandria in the 3rd century bce, which was more of a prototype university than a museum. The word museum was revived in Europe during the 15th century to describe Lorenzo de’ Medici’s collection in Florence. It conveyed a sense of comprehensiveness and depth of knowledge.
The American Museum of Natural History is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As such, it does not discriminate based on race, religion, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation. However, applicants are encouraged to disclose any disability that may limit their ability to perform their job functions or impose a safety risk. Applicants may submit applications online, by mail, or by phone. However, they should keep in mind that the museum will not respond to applications sent by phone.
The name “museum” has several meanings. In the modern sense, it refers to an establishment that teaches people how to conduct experiments. It has a history of use, and some museums are more technical than others. They can be both academic and commercial in nature. A museum may specialize in a particular field, or it may focus on a single area, such as chemistry. In the same way, some museums are purely educational, while others focus on educating and demonstrating.