Louisa - Archives Technician

Louisa feels she has the best of both worlds – collections care, research and exhibition writing – and the opportunity to undertake further academic research.

Archives Technician, Air Force Museum of New Zealand

My journey into the museum and heritage sector began in the second year of my History degree, while on a field trip visiting Te Papa’s textile collection. Seeing the work of collection staff behind the scenes, I realised the rich and exciting potential of historical work inside the museum world. Four years later, after completing my Master’s in History, I finally enrolled in the Postgraduate Diploma in Museum and Heritage Studies.

For me it was really important to strike a balance between academic research and gaining practical, real-world experience. The course provided me with both – opportunities to think critically and even publish my own research (http://www.tauhere.org/), as well as the chance to test my theoretical assumptions against real museum and heritage projects. My placements took me to Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa to research the Chrissy Witoko Evergreen Coffee Lounge collages (http://blog.tepapa.govt.nz/2016/08/02/spending-time-at-the-evergreen/), and gave me the opportunity to work as a web curator on VUW’s Creative Legacy project (https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/news/2017/06/students-contribute-to-victorias-creative-legacy).

As I intended this to be my final year of study, I began applying for jobs halfway through my diploma. After a few interviews, which helped to increase my confidence along the way, I was eventually offered the role of Archives Technician in the Research Team at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. As a new graduate in my current role, I feel I have the best of both worlds – collections care, research and exhibition writing – as well as the opportunity to undertake further academic research.