Hello my name is Murray and I have just completed my work experience with the East lothian council museum service, which I have thoroughly enjoyed and believe has been of great use to me. As the title suggests work experience is when a school pupil ventures out into the adult world for a week in my case, to gain an insight into a prospective career path perhaps or simply to understand greater their strengths and weaknesses in relation to which job they are best to adopt in the future. I remain uncertain about my future occupation, however realise I have a great interest in both art and history two broad subjects which relate to this job and so regardless or whether or not it was for me I would understand greater what suits me.
At the begining of the week admitedly I felt somewhat anxious about going into unfamiliar surroundings as I am not the most adept to change. However from the outset I felt at home after meeting Sarah ansd the rest of the staff, followed by a tour of the museum. The first day I spent at Musselburgh Museum, strangely despite living near I had never actually noticed it. That day there was two school visits arranged in order to teach them about royalty, and so I had to ensure after the initial talk by Mr Fairnie that every young pupil had a quiz sheet and then went around the museum helping them find the answers. I found this task paricularly enjoyable and rewarding as I had obviously been through that stage of education in my earlier years, experiencing similiar scenarios and so felt I could relate to them well and obviously tried to help where I could.
Then the following days my time was spent in Haddington museum, with one more brief tour of Musselburgh museum with the primary children. This museum was far larger with rooms packed with old artefacts of great interest. After being introduced to the building and Sarah’s lovely colleagues, my first task was to create a Roman helmet an opportunity I relished as being an art pupil I felt I could contribute with my creativity. Following this I was set the task of discovering the history behind an old milk bottle a woman found in her garden and handed into the museum, intrigued to know its origin. My third day with the museum service entailed going to Musselburgh museum in the morning for one final tour with the children from Campie, primary 6. Then in the afternoon I returned to Haddington with Sarah where I helped to wrap up large landscape paintings for transportation to a new exhibition opening down the road, followed by sorting out loan boxes which had recently been returned from schools. One thing in particular I liked about this work experience is there are many old items of historical value which you get to deal with and also there appears to be many different features of the job meaning you are not doing the same tedious thing all the time.
On thursday my last full day with the museum I created contact lists to send leaflets and ask for various companies to advertise the museum, for example local primary schools who may be interested to come visit or need help with workshops. After that task I sent away bundles of leaflets to the local primary classes who had recently visited the Royal exhibition in Musselburgh saying thank you and welcoming them to return soon. Then in the afternoon after my lunch break, I went out to Haddington infant school(primary 1-3) with Sarah to watch their show celebrating their final days in the school and the immenent step up to the older primary, visiting the John Gray centre briefly en route. The show was very good for children so young with some funny bits which stick in my mind and following it Sarah handed all the children leaving a certificate of merit for their time at the school.
