Selina H.
About me
| Selina H. | |
| History | |
| History | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Halifax | |
| 2006 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Curator of Medicine | |
| Science Museum | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Library, museum and information services | |
| Large business (250+ employees) | |
| 2007 |
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A day in the life of a Curator of Medicine in the United Kingdom
Heritage and museum professional
My career goals when I graduated
Museum work, in any form, was the goal but I knew it would difficult due to the vast competition there would be
My career history
Almost 10 years at the Science Museum and I have very slowly climbed the curatorial ladder beginning life as a cataloguer for a website to today - it has been frustrating at times as I have taken temporary promotions in a bid to develop my skills
What has helped my career to progress
Taking opportunities as they have appeared, asking questions, talking with senior professionals for advice and support, making opportunities too
Courses taken since graduation
MSc History of Science, Medicine and Technology, Imperial College
Currently working towards the Associateship of the Museum's Association
How my studies have helped my career
Having a subject specialism was essential into getting into my field of work and constantly building upon them
What surprised me about my career so far
I had not planned at being at the Science Museum for longer than 9 months but opportunities kept coming that were interesting and were good development plans
Where I hope to be in 5 years
5 years time the new Medicine Galleries will be open and the events programme running so if I am still there more academic publishing and work
If it is another museum - a director role of a small musum
My advice to students considering work
Keeping a work life balance is essential and took me time to learn
Keep an open mind about what work you are looking for but also trust your instincts
My advice about working in my industry
Networking is a huge part of the museum world as it is quite small - volunteer and go to as many things as possible such as musum events, subject specialist groups too
Contacting me
I am happy to hear from students who are looking to work in the heritage world
What I do
As a curator, no two days are the same. I am currently working on the Science Museum's new Medicine Galleries, due to open in 2019. I lead the content development and delivery for one of five new galleries. In addition, I also make cases for acquisitions, loans and disposals forge national collections. I write for the Science Museum blog and provide advice for television and radio programmes. I also participate in organising and hosting events for 10-300 people
Skills I use and how I developed them
Communication skills both written and verbal for a range of audiences, stakeholders and colleagues
Empathy is essential in in interpreting the past through objects
Presentation skills and persuading people to buty into our ideas
These were all developed through practicing and taking opportunities
What I like most
The variety is the best - the flexibility to find what interests me and opportunities to develop further
What I like least
Working in a large institution can mean it can take time for things to happen as well as being urgently turned round
What surprised me most
The ease with which I could switch from task to task and subject to subject. I also thought I wasn't the best networker but I have found that I work better in smaller groups
Next steps...
If you like the look of Selina’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Selina a message to find out more about their career journey. If you feel you would benefit from more in-depth conversations, ask Selina to be your mentor.