Sarah Wyatt

Why did you want to join the sector?

Neither of my parents went into further education, and both left school without qualifications. My mum was all set for a grammar school scholarship but family tragedy led to her curtailing her educational aspirations. She always maintained a love of history and heritage, and was a voracious reader. Our family holidays touring the UK always included museum and heritage site visits, and so I grew to love this too.

My first degree after leaving school appealed because the range of topics covered included film and TV studies and art history. When I graduated in 1988, I did not have a clear idea of what I wanted to do in my working life and consequently applied for a wide range of jobs. Finally, after several months of applications, the first job offered to me was in insurance. I took it and worked in that sector for the next 24 years.

As the years went by, I became very disillusioned with the financial services world and, in 2012, resigned from my job and walked away with no further job in place. I took time out and was able to give myself some breathing space and the opportunity to consider what I really wanted to do.

How long did it take for you to find paid work in the sector?

After I stepped away from the financial services world, I was looking to do something that felt more meaningful and with a real benefit to society. I volunteered for Age Concern supporting older people with their computer skills. I also began volunteering with the film and video collection at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu as it absolutely piqued my interest in both film and film history along with my love of heritage. I immediately felt that I had “come home”.

After a few months, a fixed contract grant-funded role was created to catalogue that collection. I applied without much expectation but hoping that, should I secure an interview, I would be able to convince the recruiters that my transferable skills would make me a viable candidate.

After a rigorous selection process, I was delighted to have been offered the role, which I accepted. I will make no bones about it, this was an entry level role and my salary was less than half of what I received in my last insurance job, however, my job satisfaction was a million times higher. I am grateful that the National Motor Museum took a chance with me and saw my potential.

Was it what you expected?

Having had nearly 25 years in a corporate environment, I found a massive cultural difference in the museum sector. The insurance world was very structured and hierarchical. Roles were rigidly defined with stringent numeric targets and accountability. Part of my time was in a call centre, where codes had to be entered into your phone to show that you were visiting the toilet, for example! There tended to be quite a ruthless, competitive, self-serving atmosphere with high performance pressure.

In contrast, I found my experience of the museum world much warmer and inclusive. It was far less directive and as I was taking up a newly created role, I was able to develop it myself and find my own approach to a very specialised collection, based on best practice research.

There was much more scope for me to both use my creativity but also apply the disciplines of my financial services background. I immediately enjoyed the experience of working in a much more collaborative environment, in which my input felt valued. I did feel that I needed to prove myself and certainly undertaking a masters in Museum Studies via distance learning through the University of Leicester while still working full-time showed my commitment to my new career.

What would you say to those thinking about making the leap?

I have not looked back since I switched to the museum sector and actually have nightmares about having to go back to insurance! I entered the sector relatively late in life and wish I had realised sooner in my work life that this path could be open to me.

I have certainly been lucky that the National Motor Museum took a chance on me and I am now a senior curator there 10 years later. Never underestimate transferable skills, maturity and the benefit of the injection of experience from outside the sector. Museum skills can be learned, and training and academic studies can quickly bring you up to speed.

I feel it is key that the sector and those recruiting within it have an open-minded recruitment mindset and welcome applications from those that do not necessarily have the desired specific experience and academic qualifications. It is an employers’ market, I recognise, however those that seem the best qualified on paper may not offer the fresh perspective that you need.

For those considering a switch to the museum sector, I would say go with your heart and have confidence in your abilities. Passion is an underrated personal quality, believe in what you do and what you can contribute.