Emily Murray

Previously Museum Assistant, Hawkes Bay Museum and Art Gallery (now MTG Hawke's Bay)

I'm an American originally, so I am one of the few international students that have done the MHST programme. Before moving here for this degree, I was living in Taiwan. There I completed an International Masters of Taiwan Studies, during the middle of which I realised that while it was personally fascinating, it wasn't going to take me anywhere with a career. So I conducted a worldwide search for a Museum Studies Masters that had a large practical component.

This Programme was far above all the others I looked at in terms of what I wanted. So I applied and I was thrilled to be accepted into the Programme and I moved to New Zealand from Taiwan at the beginning of 2009. I am very passionate about working with collections, but I also don't like to be stuck in a box, so I loved having the opportunity to do some very creative yet practical placements.

I worked in two museums working with collections (one with maps, medals and guns, the other with a visual collections store), then I had one placement with the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai researching, organising and developing the exhibition of a historically significant object as well as researching and writing interpretation for historic buildings. Finally I undertook a fascinating placement at Auckland Zoo where my primary project was to redevelop their zoo map and while there I also worked with the zoo registrar.

Two of these placements turned into paid part-time jobs, which is about the best thing that can possibly happen. I finished my dissertation on "Protecting your Assets: an Evaluation of Museum Emergency Planning Practices in New Zealand Museums" and I was offered a 4-month contract in Napier, which is a great way of getting the employment ball rolling. This position was extended but as I did not have a work visa I had to leave New Zealand when my student visa expired. I am not currently working in the Museum and Heritage Studies sector but the Master in Museum and Heritage Studies Programme not only met, but far exceeded my expectations, and so I expect that one day my goal to work in the sector will be achievable. I have returned home to the United States.