I wrote this for the 20th IWM Volunteer Newsletter published in December 2012. It tells my IWM story from being just a visitor, to a volunteer and then onto an employee. I hope you enjoy it!:
My
IWM North story is an eclectic one. I started out, like most people, as a
visitor. I visited the museum again and again exploring the main exhibition
space and many of the fantastic special exhibitions – some of my favourites
being Animals at War, War Correspondents, and the Horrible Histories’ Terrible
Trenches. But it was when I was studying History at the University of Glasgow
that my relationship with the museum developed into something more. I needed to
conduct an oral history interview as a part of a course, and I had chosen to
interview someone about food rationing during the Second World War. I’d had difficulty
finding an interviewee but in the eleventh hour, IWM North salvaged my project
and supplied me with the perfect interviewee, volunteer Norma. Norma delved
into her childhood to supply me with what she could remember about life during
the war and her experiences of rationing all the way into the 1950s. I could
not have asked for a more enigmatic, interesting, or sincere person to
interview. Whilst chatting to Norma post-interview, I asked about her
volunteering at the museum and she painted such a magnificent picture of the
experience that I left the interview and the museum quite envious of her role. Not
long after, I decided to try out volunteering at my favourite museum for myself.
One
Easter holiday I helped out in the learning studio and vowed that I’d volunteer
more regularly in the future. So, in the summer of 2011, after completing my
first year studying towards an MA in the U.S, I was back in Manchester and decided
to fulfil that vow and volunteer once a week. It was one of the most positive
experiences I have ever had! With the help of my mentors Linda and Cameron, I
learned lots more about the museum and the objects on display and those we
handled with visitors - I certainly learned more about WWII gas masks than most
exhibits would reveal. I soon felt at ease within the museum even if it did take
me several weeks to master Libeskind’s floor plan! I gained an insight into the
museum I could not have got from solely visiting the museum or from reading
books on museums; being able to interact with visitors allowed me to understand
what messages and lessons they took from the museum, what they wanted out of
it, and most importantly hear their varied experiences of war. It was not only
interacting with visitors, but working and meeting the diverse array of
volunteers that made the experience so insightful. To be working alongside
veterans and fellow history enthusiasts meant that there was a warm and
welcoming atmosphere at all times, and as we came from all walks of life we
each added our own distinct personality to the museum. My experiences at the
museum inspired me to find out more so I decided to take some museum studies
and material culture modules when back studying for my History MA, and from
there decided to pursue a career in the museum world.
When
I was permanently back in the UK and looking for full-time work I reprised my
role on the museum floor! This time round I volunteered more regularly, which meant
I got better acquainted with the friendly and helpful staff, and was asked to
sit on the First World War Centenary Meetings. This enabled me to get yet more
access to the workings of IWM and get a better understanding about its future
goals and objectives. After several months of job-hunting I managed to get some
interviews and my volunteering was definitely an asset to my CV. At one
interview the employer commented that it was refreshing to see me being
proactive by volunteering and getting out there and doing something when the
current employment situation meant it was hard to progress and easy to wallow.
My motivation as a volunteer was always my love of history and IWM North, but
the positive consequences of volunteering cannot be ignored. Just as the interviewer’s
comment shows, employers appreciate and value individuals who volunteer.
Volunteering shows that you are dedicated and passionate as well as eager and
reliable. Without volunteering at IWM North, I doubt I would have landed my
dream job as Collections Management Project Officer at IWM London in October
this year.
And
that was the end of my volunteering days, and the next stage of my relationship
with IWM North; I’m now a colleague from London. It was a delight to volunteer
at IWM North; I got to meet new people, learn new things, and strengthen my CV.
The volunteer programme is well organised (thanks to Danielle Garcia) and
available to anyone; to those who love history or want a taste of working in a
museum, to those who just want to get out of the house and improve their job
prospects, or veterans who want to share their experiences with interested
visitors. It was an extremely beneficial experience for me, clearly shown by my
getting a job in Collections Management, but also rewarding in another sense; I
always felt that my ideas and contributions were valued by the museum and most
importantly I helped visitors grasp how war shapes lives.
