Abigail P.
About me
| Abigail P. | |
| History | |
| Early Modern History | |
| Taught Postgraduate | |
| Wentworth | |
| 2011 | |
| United States |
My employment
| Manager of Academic Programs | |
| University of Illinois | |
| United States | |
| Library, museum and information services | |
| Large business (250+ employees) | |
| 2021 |
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A day in the life of a Manager of Academic Programs in the United States
The tip I would have for undergraduates thinking about doing MA or PhD work is to really know that you want it and be mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared. It is a lot of work and takes a toll on you.
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
The Spurlock Museum of World Cultures is one of two campus museums at the University of Illinois.
What do you do?
Working closely with Spurlock's Collections section and with university faculty, I create lesson plans and activities for those faculty that want to use some of Spurlock's 50,000 objects and artifacts.
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
After graduating from York, I started working in a museum. I held multiple positions there and ended up going back to school to get a Communication degree for PR/Marketing. I realized I wanted to get a PhD, since I wanted to be a director of a historical society or museum section. While I was able to teach working toward my PhD, I realized I did not like grading. As an Academic Coordinator, I get to teach and create lessons/activities, but don't need to grade.
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
I don't think my current job is very different from what I initially wanted to do. I started York wanting to work in Museums. I thought I'd be doing more research but I found that I like teaching.
Describe your most memorable day at work
I don't have a memorable day at work, but I do like that each day is not the same. Some days I answer emails and phone calls. Some days I am researching artifacts that will be used for a class, and other days I am creating the activities the students will do when they visit Spurlock.
Are there any challenges associated with your job?
One of the challenges is finding a perfect time to reach out to faculty. The University of Illinois is an R1 institution (research university) so many of the faculty are doing research as well as teaching. Some won't respond to emails or phone calls. I also don't know how each class is going to go. Some are great and some less so.
What’s your work environment and culture like?
I work in the museum but can also work from home. It's been pretty easy to keep work at work and balance my life. Spurlock is small and has a small staff so we are all doing a lot. Funding is always a question (as it is with most museums) so we all work on grants.
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
I didn't participate in any extracurricular activities at York while being a grad student.
What would you like to do next with your career?
After I graduate in two years with my PhD, I'd like to continue working in an education section of a museum, maybe becoming the director.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
The tip I would have for undergraduates thinking about doing MA or PhD work is to really know that you want it and be mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared. It is a lot of work and takes a toll on you.
What topics from students are you happy to answer questions on?
Applying for grad school/Masters courses, Work in a museum, Work in higher education
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