Curate Your Career

Curate Your Career
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Arts

Curate Your Career is a podcast for museum pros who are staying, leaving, and everything in between. Hosted by Elin (Deaccessioned Career Coaching) and Alli (Your Museum Career Coach), we dig into the real, messy, hilarious, and hopeful parts of museum careers. From burnout and bad bosses to career pivots, salary jumps, and rediscovering what you actually want. 

  1. 2d ago

    31. Interview Prep 101: What Happens During the Interview

    You prepared your stories. You researched the organization. You landed the interview. Now... what actually happens once the interview begins? In Part 2 of this interview series, Elin Filbey and Alli Schell walk through what actually happens during the interview process, from the initial screening call to panel interviews, presentations, final-round conversations, and everything in between. Interviews are more than just having the perfect answers, it's also knowing how to tell your stories with confidence and remembering that you're evaluating the organization just as much as they're evaluating you. Throughout the conversation, Elin and Alli discuss: what to expect during first, second, and final-round interviewswho you'll likely meet throughout the hiring process, and what each person is looking forstrategies for navigating panel interviews with confidencewhy employers care just as much about your thought process as your final answerinterview presentations, projects, and how to think about unpaid interview workthoughtful questions to ask that reveal an organization's cultureinterview red flags and what they might tell you about the workplacehow to follow up professionally after an interviewwhether you should ask for feedback after a rejection and when it may or may not be worth it Whether this is your very first interview or your fiftieth, understanding how the interview process works can help you walk in feeling more prepared, less overwhelmed, and better equipped to show why you're the right person for the role. And perhaps just as importantly, it can help you decide whether the organization is the right fit for you. #MuseumCareers #MuseumJobs #MuseumProfessionals #CareerDevelopment #InterviewTips #JobSearch #MuseumLeadership #CurateYourCareer #MuseumStudies #CareerCoaching

  2. Jul 22

    30. Interview Prep 101: What to Do Before the Interview

    You got the interview. Amazing. Exciting. Slightly terrifying. Now what? In this episode, Elin and Alli kick off a new series on interviews, starting with everything that happens before you ever enter the Zoom room or walk into the building: the preparation. Because interview prep is not about memorizing perfect answers. It’s about understanding the role, researching the organization, knowing what stories you want to tell, and walking in with more confidence and less panic. We talk about: what to ask when you get the interview invitationhow to prep differently for first round, final round, Zoom, and in-person interviewswhy interviews are not pop quizzeswhat you can and cannot controlhow to research the organizationwhy the job posting is your answer keyhow to anticipate likely interview questionswhy notes are allowedwhat to do if you ramble, freeze, fidget, or over-explainand how to build a pre-interview confidence ritual We also get into the reminder that you are interviewing the organization too. Yes, you want the job. But you also deserve to know whether the role, team, culture, and organization are actually a good fit for you. If interviews make you nervous, this episode will help you feel more grounded, prepared, and ready to show them why you.

  3. Jul 15

    29. Leveling Up Leadership Part 2 of 2: How to Build Leadership Experience Before You Have the Title

    This episode is Part 2 of our conversation about leadership skills. In the previous episode, we talked about how to identify and define your leadership experience, especially if you don’t have a formal leadership title yet. In this episode, we’re getting practical. Once you know where you are and where you want to go, how do you actually build the leadership skills you need? Because here’s the thing: leadership experience does not always arrive neatly packaged in a promotion, title change, or direct report. Sometimes you have to create the opportunity yourself. Elin and Alli talk through concrete ways museum professionals can start building leadership experience, whether you’re an emerging leader, hoping to move into management, advocating for a raise or title change, or trying to strengthen your resume for the next step. They also talk about why it is okay to be a little selfish about your professional growth. Museum professionals are often deeply mission-driven, generous, and very good at over-functioning for the good of the organization. But your growth matters too. If you need a skill for the next role you want, it is okay to look for ways to build it. If your current job is not giving you the challenge or experience you need, it is okay to create opportunities elsewhere. And if something benefits both you and the organization? Great. But you do not have to pretend your own career goals are irrelevant. Key TakeawaysLeadership experience is not limited to managing direct reports.Projects, committees, task forces, boards, and working groups can all help build leadership skills.You need to know where you are and where you want to go before you can build the right experience.It is okay to create opportunities for yourself instead of waiting for your organization to hand them to you.Strategic volunteering can help you build skills, relationships, and context.Your museum is not the only place where you can gain leadership experience.If your current role is not challenging you, look for ways to create your own “extra credit.”You are allowed to pursue opportunities because they benefit your career.In a field that often rewards self-sacrifice, looking out for yourself is not selfish. It is necessary.Chapters00:00 Picking up from the last leadership episode 01:20 What does successful leadership look like? 03:30 Leaders who support, explain, and model the work 05:20 Advocating for people and helping them grow 06:30 How to start building leadership experience 07:30 Know where you are and where you want to go 08:55 Leading projects from start to finish 11:25 Creating opportunities for yourself 13:25 Joining or leading committees 15:00 Professional associations, networks, and peer groups 16:00 Why it’s okay to be strategic about your own growth 18:00 Getting involved outside your organization 19:20 Boards, nonprofits, and volunteer leadership 20:30 Using outside opportunities to support career pivots 21:30 Working groups, task forces, and focused leadership experience 22:15 Building management skills outside the museum field Keywordsmuseum leadership museum careers emerging leaders leadership skills museum professionals career development museum management professional development nonprofit leadership museum career growth leadership experience career advancement museum jobs transferable skills Curate Your Career

  4. Jul 8

    28. Leveling Up Leadership Skills. Part 1 of 2: Are You Already Leading?

    Leadership isn't just about becoming a manager. In museums, many professionals are already leading long before their job title reflects it. You might be managing projects, mentoring colleagues, solving problems across departments, influencing decisions, or becoming the person everyone turns to when something goes wrong. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Elin Filbey and Alli Schell explore what leadership actually looks like in museums and why so many professionals underestimate the leadership experience they already have. Together, they discuss: why leadership and management aren't the same thinghow to recognize when you're already operating at a leadership levelthe different levels of responsibility that exist throughout museum careerswhy job titles often fail to capture the complexity of museum workhow small museum professionals build leadership experience in unique waysthe many forms leadership can take beyond supervising staff They also break down different types of leadership, including: strategic leadershipbudget and financial leadershipproject leadershippeople leadershipinstitutional leadershipthought leadership Whether you're hoping to become a manager, preparing for senior leadership, or simply wondering if you're ready for your next career move, this episode will help you start looking at your experience through a different lens. Part 2 will focus on how to intentionally build leadership skills and communicate them effectively on your resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letter, and during interviews. 🔑 Key TakeawaysLeadership is about more than supervising people or having a management title.Many museum professionals are already demonstrating leadership without realizing it.Your job title doesn't always reflect your actual responsibilities.Leadership can include strategic thinking, budgeting, project management, mentoring, institutional planning, and thought leadership.Small museums often provide opportunities to develop broad leadership experience earlier in your career.Understanding your leadership experience is the first step toward communicating it effectively.Before you can convince hiring managers you're ready to lead, you first have to recognize the leadership skills you already have.⏱ Chapters00:00 Escape rooms, cooking & museum trivia 02:20 Introduction: Are you already leading? 05:45 Leadership vs. management 10:00 Signs you're already operating as a leader 16:00 Levels of responsibility in museum careers 28:00 Small museums and leadership experience 34:00 Strategic leadership 40:00 Budget and financial leadership 43:30 Project leadership 48:00 People leadership vs. management 54:00 Institutional leadership 56:00 Thought leadership 59:30 Why this became a two-part series 1:00:30 Preview of Part 2 🔍 Keywordsmuseum leadership museum management museum careers museum professionals museum career development leadership skills museum managers museum career growth museum job search museum resumes museum leadership development professional development museums museum career coaching career advancement leadership in museums

  5. Jul 1

    27. Behind Deaccessioned Coaching: Helping Museum Pros Find What's Next with Elin Filbey

    What happens when the career you've worked so hard for no longer aligns with the life you want to live? In this special episode of Curate Your Career, Alli turns the microphone on co-host Elin Filbey to explore the story behind Deaccessioned Coaching, the ONLY coaching business dedicated specifically to helping museum professionals navigate careers beyond museums! They discuss what led Elin to leave the field herself, how she built a business helping others through the same transition, and why leaving museums doesn't have to mean leaving behind the passion, skills, or identity you've built over the years. Whether you're actively considering a career change, feeling unsure about your next step, or simply curious about what other opportunities might exist, this conversation offers practical advice, reassurance, and a reminder that your career can evolve as your life and values evolve. In this episode, you'll hear about: Why Elin started Deaccessioned Coaching after leaving museum work herselfThe common reasons museum professionals begin considering careers outside the fieldHow values, not just salary or burnout, often drive career transitionsThe transferable skills museum professionals bring to other industriesBuilding confidence during a career changeWhy leaving museums doesn't mean you've failedThe surprising careers former museum professionals have gone on to pursueHow to stay connected to museums even if you leave professionallyThe idea of finding your own "Tuscan villa" and defining success on your own terms If you've ever wondered what comes next after museums, or simply needed permission to imagine a different path, this episode is for you. Learn more about Elin Filbey and Deaccessioned Coaching: https://deaccessionedcoaching.com Connect with Elin on LinkedIn for career transition tips, transferable skills advice, and museum-friendly job opportunities.

  6. Jun 24

    26. Our AAM Recap: Connections, Careers, and Curate Your Community

    What We Learned at AAMFresh off the American Alliance of Museums Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Elin and Alli are reflecting on their biggest takeaways. It's not from the sessions, but from the conversations, connections, and unexpected moments that happened in between. In this informal recap episode, they discuss what it was like attending AAM as independent museum professionals, how networking feels different when you're no longer representing an institution, and why some of the most valuable conference experiences happen outside the convention center. Elin shares her strategy of walking the expo hall and talking directly with vendors to uncover career opportunities for museum professionals. Along the way, she discovered hiring trends, museum-adjacent industries looking for talent, and new possibilities for professionals interested in staying connected to the field in different ways. Alli reflects on the power of peer-to-peer networking, reconnecting with colleagues, and finding inspiration through conversations with other independent museum professionals. Together, they explore how conferences can create meaningful opportunities for collaboration, problem-solving, and professional growth. The conversation also covers: How to approach networking when you don't know anyoneWhy smaller gatherings can sometimes be more valuable than large networking eventsThe importance of planning for rest and recharging during conferencesHow to follow up after a conference so those connections don't disappearThe value of attending conferences outside your immediate fieldEmerging ideas for building community beyond annual conferences Plus, Elin and Alli introduce an early concept they're exploring: Curate Your Community, a potential initiative focused on creating more opportunities for museum professionals to connect in person throughout the year, not just at conferences. Whether you attended AAM this year, are considering a conference in the future, or simply want to build stronger professional connections, this episode offers practical advice and honest reflections on what makes these gatherings meaningful. In This EpisodeElin's "conference floor hustle" and what she learned from museum vendorsMuseum-adjacent industries hiring right nowThe surprising value of informal networkingWhy knowing your personality matters when planning conference experiencesPost-conference follow-up strategies that actually workThe role of community in sustaining museum careersEarly thoughts on Curate Your CommunityMentioned in This EpisodeAmerican Alliance of Museums (AAM)Museum ArchipelagoAmerican Association for State and Local History (AASLH)Science History InstituteAfrican American Museum in PhiladelphiaMuseum Workers Advocacy DayCurate Your Community (in development)We'd Love to Hear From YouDid you attend AAM? What was your biggest takeaway? And what do you think about the idea of Curate Your Community? We'd love to hear your thoughts, feedback, and ideas as we continue exploring what meaningful connection and community could look like for museum professionals.

  7. Jun 17

    25. From Teacher to Curator of Education: What Actually Helped Will Break Into Museums

    For two years, Will did everything he thought he was supposed to do. He applied for museum jobs. He followed up. He networked. He hired a resume writer. He earned a master's degree. He volunteered. And still...nothing. In this episode, we sit down with Will Turner, a former high school history teacher who spent two years trying to break into museums before finally landing his current role as Curator of Education at the Museum of Florida History. But this conversation isn't just about a successful career transition. It's about what happens when you're qualified, motivated, and doing the work... but your applications still aren't landing. Will shares the realities of transitioning from education into museums, including: why his teaching resume wasn't workingthe biggest misconceptions he had about museum hiringhow volunteering and relationship-building opened doorsthe role networking actually played in his transitionwhy generic resume advice often falls shorthow interview preparation became the missing pieceand what finally helped him stand out in a crowded applicant pool We also discuss the emotional side of career transitions: rejection, confidence, geographic flexibility, and learning how to tell a compelling story about your experience. If you've ever thought: "I know I have the skills. Why isn't this working?" This episode is for you. 🔑 Key TakeawaysMuseum hiring often requires translating your experience into museum-specific language.A strong resume alone isn't always enough, interview preparation matters too.Volunteering can be a powerful way to gain experience and build relationships within the field.Networking works best when it happens through genuine involvement in the community.Teachers often underestimate how many leadership and project management skills they already have.Rejection doesn't always mean you're unqualified. Sometimes it's simply about fit, timing, or competition.Confidence is often built through the process, not before it.Breaking into museums can take longer than expected, but strategic adjustments can make a huge difference.

  8. Jun 10

    24. How to Be a LinkedIn Baddie

    We get asked about resumes. We get asked about cover letters. We get asked about interviews. And we get a lot of questions about LinkedIn. How often should you post? Do recruiters actually find people there? Do you need LinkedIn Premium? Should you be networking with strangers? And what does it actually mean to have a "personal brand"? In this episode, Elin Filbey and Alli Schell break down what LinkedIn is really good for and what people tend to overthink. Whether you're trying to grow your museum career, build your professional reputation, transition out of the field, or simply understand why everyone seems obsessed with LinkedIn, this episode covers the practical strategies that actually matter. They discuss: why LinkedIn is less about being discovered and more about being seenhow museum professionals use LinkedIn differently than many other industriesnetworking tips that don't feel transactional or awkwardhow to make your profile stronger without spending hours updating itusing LinkedIn as a research and job search toolpersonal branding without becoming a "thought leader"and why you probably don't need LinkedIn Premium They also cover: profile headlines and About sectionsnetworking messages that actually get responsesusing LinkedIn to explore new industriesfollowing companies and professionals strategicallythe Featured section and portfolio contentand why "Easy Apply" isn't always your friend Throughout the episode, they come back to one core idea: You don't need to become a LinkedIn influencer. You just need a profile that tells a clear story about who you are, what you do, and where you're headed. 🔑 Key TakeawaysLinkedIn is often more valuable as a networking and research tool than a recruiting tool for museum professionals.You are the curator of your own LinkedIn algorithm, engage with the content you want to see more of.Following people and companies strategically can improve both networking opportunities and job discovery.Thoughtful connection requests outperform generic networking messages.Personal branding doesn't require posting every day or becoming a content creator.Your headline and About section are opportunities to tell a story, not just list job titles.Museum professionals looking to leave the field should focus on translating (not hiding) their experience.Most people are paying far less attention to your profile changes than you think.LinkedIn Premium is rarely necessary."Easy Apply" should be approached with caution.⏱ Chapters00:00 Welcome to LinkedIn Baddie School 02:00 Love it or hate it: our honest LinkedIn opinions 10:00 You are the curator of your algorithm 13:00 How museum professionals actually use LinkedIn 17:00 Networking without being weird 24:00 Informational interviews and career exploration 29:00 Personal branding without becoming an influencer 33:00 What kind of content should you post? 40:00 How to translate your profile for a career change 43:00 Headlines, banners, and About sections 52:00 What belongs in your experience section? 56:00 Job searching on LinkedIn 1:00:00 Why Easy Apply can be a trap

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About

Curate Your Career is a podcast for museum pros who are staying, leaving, and everything in between. Hosted by Elin (Deaccessioned Career Coaching) and Alli (Your Museum Career Coach), we dig into the real, messy, hilarious, and hopeful parts of museum careers. From burnout and bad bosses to career pivots, salary jumps, and rediscovering what you actually want. 

Information

  • Creator
    Curate Your Career
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Curate Your Career