Lorna Steel - BSc (Hons) Biology
Lorna Steel graduated in 1995 with BSc (Hons) Biology
“
On arriving for your interview, remember to give a good impression to everyone, including the receptionist, the cleaner, and the interviewer!
”Lorna Steel, graduate who is now Curator at The Natural History Museum.
Lorna is now a curator at the Natural History Museum.
Life after Derby
- 1995-1996: MSc Vertebrate Paleontology, University College London
- 1996-1997: Research Assistant, University of Plymouth
- 1997-2004: PhD in Palaeobiology
- 1997-2001: Various short term contracts with Isle of Wight Museum, University of Portsmouth Library, before landing my current job at the Natural History Museum as Curator.
Lorna tells us what her role as curator entails:
Lorna manages and cares for collections:
- Conservation and finding of specimens
- Record keeping
- Maintaining security
- Designing exhibitions
- Supervising research visitors and film crews
- Organising public events and publications.
Lorna describes life as a museum curator:
- Varied, unpredictable and demanding
- Fulfilling
- Opportunities for travel and research
- Unique aspects of the job, such as moving around dinosaur necks!
Tips on how to become a curator
Lorna advises candidates will need a relevant undergraduate degree, a relevant MSc or MA,and a relevant PhD. A Museum Studies qualification is desirable and museum experience, often as a volunteer is usually essential.
Lorna offers tips to students when applying for vacancies:
- On your application, be concise
- Network
- Undertake voluntary work experience
- On arriving for your interview, remember to give a good impression to everyone, including the receptionist, the cleaner, and the interviewer!
