The museum is committed to providing valuable and structured work experience and placements to help build key skills and inform students’ future career choices. Throughout the museum placement, students will gain confidence and knowledge working behind the scenes on a range of activities including collections cataloguing and care, schools and learning, front of house and social media.
Secondary School and College Work Experience
Work experience at the museum offers practical knowledge in a wide range of skills. Not only can you learn about collections, exhibitions and social media but as a community focused organisation the museum is able to help students gain skills in family events, tourism and hospitality.
“…Work experience at the museum has been especially interesting and eye opening to the work that goes on behind the scenes and the hard-work that it takes to run a museum…It has made me rethink my career plan from teaching to museum work.”
University Placements
Museum Studies and Curatorial Practice placements are offered all year at the museum, we can also support placements for other BA/MA related courses. Students can choose to study a varied placement encompassing several aspects of museum practice or focus on one particular role.
“I have definitely made the right choice by coming to the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon for my university placement. The staff gave me invaluable experience working with them and have really made me feel like part of the team. I will be definitely coming back to volunteer over the summer!”
If you want to take part in our work experience or placement offer please contact the museum for further information and availability. Students should apply at least four weeks before their placement is due to start.
Due to a high demand the museum can not accommodate all applications for placements. However if you are 18 and over and wish to gain experience in the museum sector we recommend that you volunteer on a short term basis to gain skills and experience.
