For the past two months, I worked as a Gallery Host Volunteer at The Hepworth Wakefield.
At the end of March, I received an email with upcoming job opportunities at THW. I decided to apply for the visitor experience assistant role. As a result of my application, I received an invitation for an interview, which took place the following week and went very well, even though I woke up in the morning full of cold, with muscle ache, cough, blocked nose and couldn’t speak or breathe. The worst possible case when going for the interview.
To my excitement, the day after the interview, I received a phone call from one of my duty managers saying that they were impressed with the interview and offered me a part time contract as a Visitor Experience Assistant. What a fantastic news, I was very happy to accept it!
As an employee, I will have a lot more responsibilities than when I use to volunteer. Before, my job was to help the visitor experience team, to engage with the visitors and make them feel welcome, to answer their queries and most importantly to ensure the safety of the visitors and the art work. Now, as well as all the above, my duties will be to have up to date knowledge about the gallery, exhibitions, displayed collections and public programs; to respond to phone calls and email enquiries; to deliver informative and engage guide tours and much more. Guide tours will be challenging and means a lot of research. I became familiar with the exhibited art at The Hepworth Wakefield however, I am not ready for it yet. Thankfully, I will be given the training.
I am looking forward to becoming part of visitor experience team and also to my first shift on Thursday. As I stated in a blog about my volunteer job, I adore this place and the friendly people who work there. As a photographer it’s also a great opportunity to be part of the creative community, to build connections with other artists and people who have similar interest to mine.
I was planning to look for a job after the graduation however, as the opportunity arises, I’ve done my best and already have it! I am very proud of myself and as I am only going to work part time, I will have a lot of time to be freelance photographer.
If you haven’t been to The Hepworth Wakefield, you should pay a visit. It’s an amazing place, with a variety of incredible art. From Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore’s famous sculptures to contemporary photographs and Magdalene Odundo’s The Journey of Things exhibition which contains modern, contemporary and ancient pieces that influenced her work and many, many more. I can assure you that there is something for every art lover.
Additionally, if you want to change your career or know the company you want to work for, I advise you to apply for a volunteer role. You will find out if it’s the right job for you, as well as the possibility of leading to permanent position.
Marlena Sierota 