My main goal going into work every day is to help people understand the critical role the making and breaking of codes have played throughout history and to (hopefully) help them develop an appreciation for the importance of the agency's mission. I manage our collection of thousands of artifacts and ensure they are presented to the public thoughtfully and accurately. I also oversee our team of docents and volunteers who lead tours and interact with visitors.
CAREER
Curators
Overview
Salary Median (2023)
$61,750
Projected Job Growth (2023-2033)
+12.6% (faster than the average)
Career
What Curators Do
Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.
Other Job Titles Curators May Have
Collections Curator, Collections Manager, Curator, Education Curator, Exhibitions Curator, Exhibits Curator, Museum Curator, Photography Curator, Vertebrate Zoology Curator
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
My days are spent leading the Suquamish Museum, curating exhibits, managing staff, and planning cultural events that bring our stories to life. I often teach weaving classes, mentor youth, and collaborate with other museums to expand Indigenous representation. Every day is a chance to share, preserve, and pass on our culture.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Plan and organize the acquisition, storage, and exhibition of collections and related materials, including the selection of exhibition themes and designs, and develop or install exhibit materials.
- Develop and maintain an institution's registration, cataloging, and basic record-keeping systems, using computer databases.
- Plan and conduct special research projects in area of interest or expertise.
- Provide information from the institution's holdings to other curators and to the public.
- Negotiate and authorize purchase, sale, exchange, or loan of collections.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Curators
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Master's degree (44%)
Master's degree
Doctoral degree
Post-baccalaureate certificate
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Cinematography and Film/Video Production
Graduate
Film/Cinema/Media Studies
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Fine and Studio Arts Management
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Learn as much as you can about a wide variety of technologies. The more you know, the better informed you will be when trying to protect people from the risks associated with those technologies.
Communication skills are very important. As director of education, you need to be able to understand how other people learn and then communicate in a way that will resonate with them. We work with a lot of kids, so it's also important to have a great imagination. You'll need to be creative and think outside the box.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
Immerse yourself in history, science or art.
It is important to be educated, no matter who you are or what you do; whether you go to college or not. Education is the key to everything.
College Students
This page includes information from theO*NET 29.2 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
