Graduate Accomplishments
Graduate Programs
Jobs
Fellowships, etc.
Career
Services
Resumes and Job Letters
Graduate School in Art History
Tips on Résumés and
Job Letters for Art History Students:
First, please consult the career services website where you can
find many excellent and helpful links which stress the importance
of things like: correct spelling of the potential employer’s
name; correct contact information; clear writing style; no typos,
etc.
Because you are an art history major, prospective employers will
assume you possess a higher degree of visual literacy and sensitivity
than other candidates. Therefore, your résumé and
job letter need to look especially good. Please do not use “fancy”
(colored, printed with clouds, etc.) paper, but do use paper of
a decent stock. Use the same paper, font (not an idiosyncratic
one), and point size in both résumé and letter –
you’re seeking visual consistency. Keep your margins fairly
large, avoid dense blocks of texts, and use bullets to identify
your key points.
RÉSUMÉS
• Depending on the job, it can be helpful on your résumé
to list the specific AH (and related) classes that you have taken.
We offer an unusually wide range of classes; this may be a key
opportunity to convince the employer of the range and depth of
your knowledge.
• If you have completed a significant independent research
project you may want to consider listing this as an accomplishment
on your résumé. You would include the kinds of research
skills you developed and potentially the kinds of questions you
were asking.
• If you have interned or even volunteered at a relevant
arts institution, be sure to list this on your résumé.
• You may also want to list language skills and foreign
travel, IF RELEVANT.
JOB LETTERS
There are a number of issues you may want to address in your
letter:
• you have been educated in an unusually vibrant arts community
• our undergraduate studio program is highly ranked
• you have regular access to art exhibits through the Case
Gallery, Schick Gallery, and the Tang
• artists of a national and international caliber regularly
lecture at Skidmore.
• If you have had regular access to objects (in the Tang,
installing in Case Gallery, or perhaps at area collections) it
can be pertinent to include this in your letter.
Please remember – only list information that seems relevant
to the job you’re seeking, and be sure to be accurate.
***************************************************
Graduate School in Art History: Some
Things to
Think About
MA versus PhD programs...
An MA program (usually 2 years) is probably right for you if...
* you’re interested in career paths other than academe
* you’re thinking about combining art history with another
field
(like conservation, library science, law, business, etc.)
* you have many areas of interest and are not sure what
you’d like to specialize in
* you’re not ready to commit to more than 2 years of graduate
study
Remember that successful completion of an MA will greatly
improve your chances of getting into a good PhD program if you
decide to continue.
A PhD program (usually 5-6 years or more) is
probably right for you if...
* you’re committed to a career in academe (college teaching
and scholarship)
* you have a specific area of interest and feel able to undertake
intensive, original research
* you’re prepared for a considerable investment of time,
money, and energy
Looking...
These things are especially important if you’re looking
at PhD programs, but they will help you find the right MA program
as well.
Find a person you want to work with. Ideally,
s/he should be tenured, active in the field, and well regarded
as an advisor, and there should be some evidence that her/his
former students have been successful. Identify scholars whose
work you admire; find out where they teach and whether their schools
have graduate programs. Initiate contact by email (share your
interests and ask a focused, intelligent question about their
program or work) and meet them if possible. Ask the department
chair to put you in touch with some of his/her current graduate
students.
Consider language requirements. The ability
to read German is required by many MA programs and virtually all
PhD programs. Depending on your proposed area of study, you may
also need other languages. Some programs require language exams
during the first semester, others allow preparation time, and
some provide or fund language courses. Find out what you need,
when you need it, and whether they will help you get it.
Ask about funding. Some programs fund all graduate
students with tuition and stipends, others require you to compete
for limited funds, and many require you to teach in exchange for
support. Be realistic about your financial needs and the risks
you’re willing to take.
Ask about teaching. Students in most graduate
programs are encouraged (sometimes required) to teach (or assist
in teaching) undergraduate courses. This is important experience,
especially for those on a PhD track, but it can also get in the
way of your scholarship. Ask about the opportunities and expectations.
Consider the resources. Your work may benefit
from access to particular museum, library, or archival collections,
commercial venues, or communities. Think about whether the institution
and region you’re considering will be a stimulating place
to begin your research.
Applying...
An application usually includes a resume, statement, writing
sample, undergraduate transcript, 3 letters of recommendation
and GRE scores; you may wish to include other materials that demonstrate
special achievements. Don’t send the same statement to every
program; tailor it to fit the strengths of each one.
Play by the rules of good writing. Be focused, clear and well
organized. Make sure the syntax, grammar and spelling are correct
and all materials look professional.
Define an intellectual position. Discuss specific
scholarly interests and influences and explain how they developed.
Define the methodological approach(es) you find most compelling.
Especially in PhD applications, propose a direction for research
and show that you already have some knowledge of the subject.
Be focused but realistic; don’t propose working in a field
in which you have no experience or for which you have not begun
language acquisition. Choose a writing sample that demonstrates
strong research skills, critical thinking, polished writing and
(if possible) relates to your proposed specialization.
Avoid generalizations and work your evidence.
Assume that every applicant loves art and has good credentials.
Focus on what makes YOU especially qualified. Discuss specific
things you have done and address key aspects of the other materials
in your application (resume, writing sample, etc.).
Don’t tell them what they already know.
Don’t generalize about the merits of the program—they
already know why they’re good! Show that you’re a
perfect match for them by discussing interests and goals that
mesh well with their strengths. Suggest a specific way in which
your work might engage resources in their institution or region.
Prep your recommenders. Well in advance of the
deadline, provide your recommenders with copies of your resume
and application statement and information about deadlines and
submission format. If it has been a year or more since graduation,
also provide an account of the courses you took with them, the
work you did, and the grades you received.
In the meantime...
Not sure you’re ready to take the grad school step?
There are lots of things you can do to stay involved with the
field and boost your credentials.
* work at a museum or other art-related venue, even if only as
a volunteer
* take a German for reading course or one in another language
you may need
* polish your best undergraduate paper into a strong writing sample
* become a member of the College Art Association or another professional
organization
* attend the annual conference of the CAA or other organization
* read! stay abreast of new publications in the field and look
for prospective mentors
* stay in touch with your Skidmore professors—it will yield
stronger recommendations!
And most of all...
Talk with your Skidmore professors while you’re here. Take
advantage of our experience, networks, and desire to help you
find the path that’s right for you!
