Description

In this second Mailbag episode, Alli Schell and Elin Filbey answer listener questions about graduate school investments, career pivots, and the emotional weight that often comes with choosing or leaving museum work.

They unpack why not all museum studies programs offer equal opportunity (and how to think critically before enrolling), and how transferable skills can open unexpected doors. They also talk candidly about guilt, regret, family expectations, and the very real identity shifts that come with career change.

Whether you’re navigating the museum job market, considering grad school, transitioning back into museums, or wrestling with “Am I allowed to want something different?” this episode is for you.

Ask a Mailbag Question:
https://forms.gle/m41nnxPS4TKXQ1i89

Takeaways

• Advocacy for museums should be accessible and grassroots.
• Higher education in museum studies is a significant investment and not all museum grad programs provide equal opportunities.
• Teaching and other transferable skills are valuable in museum roles.
• Networking remains one of the most powerful job-search tools.
• Guilt and regret are common when considering career shifts.
• The museum field is evolving and so are career paths.
• Support systems (including family) matter more than we admit.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Mailbag Overview
01:20 Museum Advocacy & Accessibility Rant
09:10 Navigating Career Paths in Museums
25:01 Guilt, Identity & Career Transitions
31:31 Organizational Challenges & Boundaries
33:28 Job Market Barriers
44:00 Transitioning Back to Museums
51:00 Family Supporting Aspiring Museum Professionals

Keywords:
museum advocacy, museum careers, museum studies, career transitions, museum education, transferable skills, museum jobs, networking, grad school decisions, museum professionals, career coaching, museum job market