Below is a compiled list of resources, information, and graduate programs meant to help students make more informed professional decisions and connect with the right groups, institutions, and opportunities. These resources are meant to act as a starting point for anyone curious about collections-based careers, museum work, conservation, curatorial practice, archives, education, exhibition design, and other related paths.

Before diving in, it is important to remember that there is no single path into this work. Be open to many possibilities. Try what you can, ask questions, learn from people around you, and stay curious about roles you may not have known existed before.

Internships, volunteer work, part-time positions, informational interviews, and hands-on experiences can all be valuable ways to learn what kind of work feels meaningful to you. Many of these paths are not always financially easy or immediately lucrative, so it is also important to know your worth, advocate for yourself, and think honestly about what you need to feel supported.

Most importantly, follow the work that keeps you curious. Love what you do, but also remember that your skills, time, and care have value.