What type of work can I do?
You will spend your week in one of our departments with a
variety of staff, working on a range of activities that will allow
you to see how that department operates and what they do. As our
collections are very valuable and often require expert handling,
you will mainly be shadowing, observing and assisting staff with
aspects of their work. But you may also be involved with:
- Cataloguing, labelling or re-organising items from our
collections.
- General administration work such as photocopying or
filing.
- Computer based research.
- Cleaning or maintenance of collections, equipment or
displays.
- Attending appropriate staff meetings or discussions.
- Helping with events.
Where will the work experience take place?
Work experience takes place across all our museums depending
where there are places and staff that can support you. However, the
main work experience weeks take place at National Museum of
Scotland or the National Museums Collection Centre, both in
Edinburgh, the National Museum of Flight in East Lothian and the
National Museum of Rural Life at East Kilbride. You will mainly be
behind the scenes at these sites working with staff in their
offices, and of the museum they need to go to do the tasks
required.
Who will support me?
Each department taking part in work experience week will have a
staff member whose role is a Placement Coordinator; they are
responsible for the overall organisation and planning of the week.
They along with all the staff involved in your work experience week
will provide the adequate information, instruction, training and
supervision required to help you while you are with us.
How do I apply?
To be considered for a work experience place you
must complete an application form specifying the
department and reference number you are applying to, and return it
to the Volunteers Coordinator at the address indicated at the end
of the form. The form can be handwritten or typed, but should be
returned as a paper copy as we require actual signatures in certain
sections.
Only one application per person is allowed,
therefore sending multiple forms for each opportunity offered will
greatly affect you chances of not being selected. Ideally you
should apply up to eight weeks before your school's work
experience week is due to take place, in order for us to administer
your application properly.
How will selection take place?
Selection will be made based on a number of factors:
- The information supplied on the application form, and if it is
a good match with the requirements of the department.
- The availability of appropriate tasks and staff time to
supervise these activities during the period of the placement.
- The number of young people already placed in a department at
the time of your application.
- The dates you apply to come to National Museums Scotland are
part of your schools Work Experience week.
When will I hear if I have been selected?
As work experience at our museums is very popular and due to the
number of application forms we receive, we are sorry we cannot
acknowledge a receipt of your form. For this reason you will only
be contacted again if your application has been successful and we
would like to offer you a place; or you are being invited to attend
an interview to help select the best candidate. If you have not
heard from us within two weeks of the placement date it
is unlikely you have been successful.