What can I do with a museum studies degree in the US?

I'm really curious about career options if I pursue a museum studies degree here in the US. Are there specific jobs or paths in the museum field or related industries that people usually follow?

Absolutely, a Museum Studies degree can lead to a wide array of career paths, particularly within museums and cultural institutions, but also beyond these environments. Here are a few examples of job titles you could pursue:

1. Museum Curator: This is one of the most common career paths with a museum studies degree. As a curator, you would take charge of acquiring, storing, and displaying artifacts. You might also organize exhibitions and work on educational programming.

2. Conservator: This role would involve preserving, treating, and documenting artworks. It requires knowledge in several areas such as chemistry, art history, and often calls for practical skills as well.

3. Museum Archivist: This role involves managing archival resources within a museum. Archivists appraise, process, catalog, and preserve permanent records and historically valuable documents.

4. Museum Education Officer: In this role, you create and manage education programs for different kinds of audiences – schoolchildren, adults, community groups, etc. This involves developing workshops, tours, resources, and digital learning initiatives.

5. Exhibit Designer: Here you plan and create exhibits for museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions. This involves translating a curator's vision into an exhibit that's engaging, informative, and accessible.

6. Collections Manager: In this role, you oversee the storage and care of objects within the museum's collection, ensuring that they are properly cataloged, stored, transported, and loaned.

Beyond these traditional museum roles, a background in Museum Studies can also lead to careers in related fields like cultural heritage, archaeology, preservation, arts administration, tourism, community arts, and public history. Additionally, some Museum Studies graduates may choose to work in educational institutions or in government cultural departments. For instance, you may consider becoming a Cultural Heritage Officer or an Education Outreach Coordinator.

Remember, the paths mentioned here are not exhaustive, and the skills you gain from a Museum Studies degree can serve you in a myriad of professional environments. Your career path can also be influenced by things like internships, work experiences, and special interests – so it's a good idea to take advantage of all opportunities to broaden your horizons!