Sorry if what follows is slightly disheartening but there really are few full time jobs in the areas you are looking at. If you’re lucky one job may come up every year or so. Although a degree is not always essential it is very rare that employers like IWM or RAFM will consider applicants without one. In the case of RAFM, there are about 20 or so curatorial staff spread over the three sites and I can only think of one of them who does not have a degree and even he has further education qualifications and a couple of years of experience in the heritage sector. Being knowledgeable about a subject helps but being qualified and having experience counts even more and if the other applicants can display the latter virtues while you can only demonstrate the former, they will get the job. Oh…almost forgot…Say goodbye to and dreams about being rich.
So, what can you do about it?
Do not discount further education. You don’t need to have a History degree. Education, museum or heritage studies are alternative routes you could take.
Have you ever considered an apprentice scheme? It may be a bit more ‘hands on’ than you are looking for but I believe both IWM and the RAFM run them.
Volunteer in a local museum. Doesn’t need to be an Aviation Museum. Any museum experience will count in your favour.
Know your subject. You don’t need to know everything but knowing where to look helps.
Pop into your local library to scan the Museums Journal. That’s where most of the entry level jobs will be advertised.
Well I hope there’s something useful for you in that lot.
Good luck,
Anne
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