There are perhaps just a handful of jobs as intrinsically rewarding to the true lover of the arts, than the museum curator. What is a curator? A curator is someone who oversees and educates the public about the valuable collections and artifacts housed in some of the world’s finest museums and galleries. With a median salary of around $40,000, museum curators are not in it for the dough, but are truly passionate about the subjects they engage with.

Unfortunately, with cuts in federal funding having deeply hindered museum expansion and completion, the job market for museum curators is a lucrative and highly competitive field. There are many more individuals qualified, than there are curator positions available. This is true even with the infinite number of museums, both large and small, across the globe. The following are both bare essentials, and added pieces of advice for how to adequately compete in such a tough employment field.

Educational background is highly significant in remaining competitive in the curator job market. One must start with a bachelor’s degree in history, or preferably art history. A master’s in the area of specialization is also essential. This, of course, is an educational bare minimum to be considered for a curator position. It is increasingly beneficial to double your masters in your specialized area, as well as in museum studies to give yourself a leg up. While there are a wide variety of universities offering this particular major, some programs are more respected than others. New York University, for example, has a highly regarded museum studies program designed for the double master’s, along with connections to internships in some of the greatest museums in the country.

Interning in a museum during your college experience is absolutely crucial. While working toward a Ph.D is only truly essential for those interested in the more science oriented fields of museum study, this is another rigorous educational opportunity that allows you to stand out amongst competitors.

Another important thing to take note of is a willingness to work your way up the curatorial ladder in order to secure a position. It is extremely common for museums to recruit new curators from within, often advancing members of catalog and restoration departments as well as curatorial assistants.

Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that museums like the Met or the Smithsonian are not the only museums out there. Many curators start at small galleries, or localized museums, and work their way up the ladder through reputation and the work they do. There is always hope that a trustee or a director will hear good things about you and come calling.

If you are looking for more information on what exactly the curator does, and the kind of person this job attracts, check out Danny Danziger’s spirited “Museum: Behind the Scenes at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.” It is a truly inspiring book, and should give you a real feeling of the love these passionate individuals have for their jobs, as well as some great insider information on the job hunt.