When I tell people I’m a STEM major, they don’t immediately assume I interned at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. At first glance, the two seem completely unrelated. What could a neuroscience major possibly gain from planning painting lessons and spending days helping kids explore the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection? Yet, working at the MET has been one of my most valuable experiences to date. And it’s not just because I became enamored by the two–million–square–foot space bursting with artifacts and artworks spanning over 5,000 years of human history—the 640 ton Temple of Dendur, which had to be flown into the museum via helicopter, or the original Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh during the 2023 Van Gogh's Cypresses exhibition, to name a few. My most important takeaway was the practical skills I gained. As a high school student, I learned to cold email, network, hold hour–long conversations with professionals, problem–solve, and collaborate effectively with a team. My time at the MET was transformative, and fortunately, Penn’s art scene offers several opportunities for students interested in these spaces. And I’m not alone in this sentiment. Many Penn students have done incredible work at similar institutions on campus.
Sarah Usandivaras, a third–year in the College majoring in political science and communications, started her work at the Arthur Ross Gallery as a marketing and social media intern the summer before her sophomore year. She designed Instagram posts with Canva promoting ongoing events, led gallery tours, collaborated with the curator, and conducted background research to compile information about current exhibitions for the public website. She worked in–person five days a week, becoming more intimate with the cultural and historical details of the gallery’s featured artworks.
This internship helped Usandivaras grow as a leader and professional. “Giving an 18 year old complete freedom to express their opinion and to run an Instagram account is really rare and I think they really allow student input,” she notes.
Usandivaras also learned how to navigate a diverse work environment, write clearly and concisely, and proofread dense documents. She also discovered a part of campus that was previously unknown to her, now advocating for the Arthur Ross Gallery whenever she gets the chance. Staying a part of the Arthur Ross family, Usandivaras has served as co–president of the Arthur Ross Gallery Student Advisory Board since the start of her sophomore year. As a junior, she plans to continue organizing more student engagement events to promote the gallery, which remains free and open to the public. She recommends that anyone interested stay engaged by following @arthurrossgallery on Instagram.
Phoebe Murray, a recent graduate student who completed their master’s degree in environmental studies last spring, worked as an archaeometallurgy lab assistant at the Penn Museum. They categorized ancient metals and created an Excel database for the museum’s website, in addition to giving the occasional lab tour. Working around 10 hours a week, Murray was able to balance their first year of graduate studies with their year–round museum shifts, all for reasonable pay.
Murray was inspired to apply to this position to further hone and develop their lab and research background in a new setting. They were particularly drawn to the interdisciplinary nature of archaeometallurgy, which combines earth sciences, culture, and the arts.
Murray posits that their museum experience was applicable to their current role as a graduate assistant at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. Although their museum work may not directly align with their career goals, Murray accounts that building a database from scratch significantly contributed to their ability to secure their current position.
How can Penn students can get involved in museum and gallery work?
Penn’s on–campus museums and galleries are always seeking eager undergraduate and graduate students. For example, the Arthur Ross Gallery already welcomed two new interns for this academic year: a gallery coordinator and outreach coordinator. For more information about ongoing internship and job opportunities at the Arthur Ross Gallery and how to apply, click here.
Additionally, Usandivaras discovered the opening at Arthur Ross Gallery through Penn’s Summer Humanities Internship Program (SHIP). Through this program, students fill their summers with full–time work and gain professional experience without the need of prior hard skills. Usandivaras recalls having no previous social media internship before applying, so all students (this means you!) who are new to the museum field are especially encouraged to apply. Applications open in January and close in late February, offering a $5,000 stipend for the 10–week work period. In a similar vein, Murray found their lab assistant position online through Workday at Penn, which hires year–round and releases new positions regularly.
If you’re passionate about volunteer work, the Clio Society is another great way to immerse yourself in the museum world. As the Penn Museum’s undergraduate student interest group, members volunteer for museum programming, organize student events, and train to give tours of the 300,000 square–foot museum.
If you're looking to work, build desirable skills, and enjoy eye–catching artwork to backdrop your potential eight–hour shifts, consider museums and galleries as your beginner–friendly first step into the professional world. At Penn, there’s no shortage of these opportunities available at your fingertips.
