I've been going on job interviews since February or so, and here's what I've realized throughout the process: the museology program at UW has prepared me better than any other academic program I have been through for the professional world. Last quarter's collections management class for instance had direct relevance for my interview yesterday - if an employer says to me that they want me to help with the transfer of physical ownership of archives or photographs from a donor or artist, I know that may mean getting bids from ground shipping companies with expertise in art handling that have temperature-controlled relative humidity stable trucks. And then there's door-to-door, nail-to-nail insurance.

What I've also learned to articulate for myself is that I want to work for an organization that is first and foremost mission-driven with a formal or informal code of ethics in place, and a not-for-profit with diverse revenue streams and resources. In my mind this looks like one of two things - working for a small community-based, regional archive or collection; and/or administering a Buddhist-oriented nonprofit like the TNP. I look back now at some of my previous professional experiences - for profits, corporate, development for universities, public healthcare, academic humanities - and realize that choosing a work environment that mirrors my values and ethics is critical, has always been. What this means now is thinking very critically and carefully about what prospects I pursue and cultivating patience in that interim.