FULL STEAM AHEAD: STEPS TO A SEAMLESS GRAD TRANSITION

Grad School Guide | Melissa Mertsis 

---

Happy March everyone! Can you believe we're only 5 weeks away from the end of the semester? If you're in your second year of the Master of Museum Studies, or your third year of CDP, you may be feeling a mix of stress, excitement, anxiety, and a million other emotions at once (I know I am) because this is the year that we graduate! With classes and commitments slowly wrapping up, and convocation in the not-so-distant future, it's time to start thinking about what's next, however scary that may be. The future is full of unknowns and can cause a lot of anxiety and stress, especially in a field like Museum Studies that is constantly changing. However, there are a few tricks to make the transition to graduate a little easier — keep reading to find out how! 

Image courtesy of Melissa Mertsis. 

If you're graduating this year, a quick and easy step to check off your "To Do Before Graduating" list is to submit your Intent to Convocate Form. Similar to how some of us were required to "Apply to Graduate" in our undergraduate degrees, this form submission lets Student Services know that you are intending to graduate at the June 2021 Convocation Ceremony. It's really important that you submit this form before April 1st, 2021 — don't wait until you receive passing grades from your Winter courses! Once you submit your Intent to Convocate, there are a couple more administrative steps to follow to make sure you're good to go — check out this comprehensive list that the Faculty has compiled. 

After you've gotten all of your administrative ducks in a row, it's time to start thinking about work. Even though we've still got 5 weeks to go, job hunting can be a long and strenuous process — it doesn't hurt to start early! The first step to getting yourself job-hunt-ready is to take a look at your resume and Curriculum Vitae, or CV (and yes, they are different). Your CV can be prepared far more generally than your resume, so this can be done ahead of finding a job you'd like to apply for. Include volunteer and work experience, relevant educational experience and projects, publications, and other certifications on your CV, and only include this in your application if they specifically ask for it! Your resume should be prepared "to order," meaning you'll need to change the wording and alter which experiences you want to highlight based on each job. 

Image courtesy of Melissa Mertsis.

Before prepping your resume for a job, you'll need to find a job to apply for. For those of us interested in museum and culture work, there are a ton of places to look. If your Ontario Museum Association (OMA) membership is still active, check out available jobs under Resources > Job Postings. OMA typically has at least a handful of job postings at any given time, and they update them quite frequently! If you're not exclusively interested in Ontario jobs, the Canadian Museums Association also has a free job board with opportunities from all over the country. If you're looking for something less museum-focused but still sector-adjacent, you might have some luck on WorkInCulture or CharityVillage finding not-for-profit and cultural heritage opportunities. The LinkedIn Jobs page is another great place to look for all kinds of jobs, and don't forget about websites like Indeed and Monster! 

Once you've applied to graduate, spent some time prepping your CV and resume, and looking through job boards, there's only one thing left to do —  graduate! Although it's tempting to slow down and focus on the future (the Senioritis is real), try to keep the focus train rolling for these next 5 weeks. Get those assignments in, finish up those exhibition projects and theses, but, most importantly, enjoy what's left of your time at the Faculty of Information! Participate in as much as you can over the next few months, whether it's submitting your work to the iConference, chatting with recent grads at MUSSA's Alumni Panel on March 18th, or even scheduling your own hangout sessions in the Virtual Inforum. 

Image courtesy of Melissa Mertsis.

The last few months of any school year are always stressful, but when this might be your last school year ever, the stress is definitely a little higher than usual. If you're feeling like you need some extra support right now, check out this article that I co-wrote about mental health resources on campus! Graduation is a time of goodbyes and new starts, but don't forget just how small the museum sector is —  the class of 2021 will undoubtedly meet again. 

WE ARE GLAM-OROUS: MMST STUDENTS TAKE ON THE FIELD

Special Edition |  Melissa Mertsis and Jordan Vetter

---

We asked Master of Museum Studies (MMSt) and Combined Degree Program (CDP) students about their experiences across all years of the program and received many empowering responses. Through coursework, theses, internships, student organizations, and work experiences, students have grown personally and professionally, and have contributed to the field. The value that MMSt students can bring to the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives & Museums) sector is clear, and we want to celebrate all that we have accomplished and are capable of!

The MMSt program is small but mighty—relationship building and networking among peers is a great advantage of being in a cohort of only about 100 people. This could be peer-to-peer “inspiration, support, [and] advice” on a difficult project, or, as Georgia McKee states, it could be cultivating friendships that turn into career connections down the road. Dominica Tang and Denise Tenio also describe the “sense of belonging” that came out of meeting other “[like-minded] people” in the program, fostering a sense of community and support. As Jefimija says, “museum people are good people!”

Relationship-building also occurs between MMSt students and the communities they work with. Cassidy Latimer, Amanda Marino, and one other student, who all work at small museums, describe their roles and institutions as directly contributing to the members of these communities—whether it’s helping visitors understand local histories, or coming together to support one another during the pandemic, these roles directly impact their communities!

Museum Studies students at the MMSt 50th Anniversary Conference. Photo courtesy of Melissa Mertsis.

Imposter Syndrome is something that so many of us go through in grad school. Fortunately for MMSt students, this program and the experiences that come with it have been a big confidence booster! In completing a fellowship with the Aga Khan Museum, Rebecca has “learned to trust [herself] and [her] ideas”, while another student working on a capstone project recognized just how capable and resourceful they are. Surprisingly, the pandemic has also produced opportunities for students to become more aware of their capabilities. Lauren Ulbricht, intern at the Billy Bishop Museum, found that independent work due to COVID-19 caused her to be more “confident in [her] knowledge and abilities.” No matter the experience, as Brooke Downey so aptly put it, this confidence allows us to “show prospective employers what we're capable of!”

With so many possible areas to study within the museum field—everything from collections to exhibitions and programming—it’s easy to get overwhelmed with what direction to pursue. Fortunately, many of our peers have found that courses, guest lectures, and other opportunities in the program have allowed them to discover new areas of interest or guide their career path. With open-ended assignments, students say they are able to explore topics they are passionate about, expanding their knowledge base and resulting in strong portfolio pieces for future endeavours.

Students on a tour led by the National Gallery of Canada's Educator of Indigenous Programs and Outreach Jaime Morse. Photo courtesy of Melissa Mertsis. 

In addition to course material, experiences like internships and Young Canada Works positions have helped students find their passions. Rachel Deiterding explains that the range of activities she participated in during her internship with the Doris McCarthy Gallery helped to “solidify the kind of museum work that [she is] most interested in.” A CDP student’s experience as a Collections Assistant with the Art Museum at the University of Toronto “made [them] realize that [they] really want to work in the museum field,” and a work position even led Jefimija to find her thesis specialization! This validation that we are on the right track, and can find meaningful work in something we’re passionate about, is reassuring for our futures as museum professionals.

Not only have we been able to grow our networks, confidence, and passions in this program, but MMSt students have also discovered how their experiences make them well-suited to contribute to the field. With many projects in our program being grounded in what we would do in practice, we are more prepared to apply these concepts and learnings to our work. Both Julia Barclay and Tiffany mention how their work and internship experiences have allowed them to contextualize their coursework and apply theory into practice. Lauren McAusland similarly explains how knowledge from her classes helped her to create educational videos and lead an evaluation of an online learning platform with the Royal Botanical Gardens.

MMSt students installing their exhibition wall for MSL2370. Photo courtesy of Jordan Vetter.

On top of our growing practical knowledge base, students have been able to build and apply a variety of new skills—from grant applications, formative evaluations, and storytelling, to Photoshop, collections auditing, and event planning. These provide a solid foundation of transferable skills that we can easily translate into new roles and contexts.

In this program, we have been exposed to different perspectives and critical museum discourse, which students have consciously carried into their work. Christina explains the importance of telling stories accurately and critically, and how she has encouraged others “to think critically about ‘artistic genius’ and what that meant then and what that means today” during her time at the McMichael. Through research and interpretive planning, Vicky Jamieson strives to highlight BIPOC histories with Halton Region Heritage Services, reframing the history of Halton and its communities. Similarly, as a research assistant with the Indigenous Virtual Living Archive, Amanda Berardi has practiced prioritizing Indigenous knowledge and people.

Master of Museum Studies students looking ahead to our bright futures! Photo courtesy of Melissa Mertsis. 

The recentering of diverse narratives is so important in the field. Bold thinking on how this can be brought to our professional practice led to the formation of student-led group Museum Professionals of Colour (MPOC). MPOC works to “[address] the lack of racial diversity and representation” both within the faculty and beyond. By continuously asking questions, centering underrepresented narratives, reading, and learning, graduates of the MMSt program can bring fresh perspectives to a changing field.

Grad school can be a time of stress and uncertainty, but it is also a time of exploration and tremendous growth. Armed with incredible experiences, a well-rounded and diverse skill set, and a drive to innovate, we have no doubt that our peers will continue to make a difference in their respective corners of the museum field. Look out, museum world, here we come!

GET OUTSIDE, STAY HOME: VIRTUAL NATURE AND MENTAL WELLNESS

 GLAM Gets Mindful | Melissa Mertsis 

_______________________________________________________________

Anyone else battling a case of the winter blues these past few weeks? Finding yourself itching to go outside, but wanting to stay safe at home? Missing the glorious rush of serotonin that comes from being immersed in nature? Never fear — virtual nature is here!

Being outside immersed in nature is always fun, but also has proven benefits. Research shows that exposure to nature and the outdoors might help reduce stress, increase attention span, and improve overall emotional wellness. Green, tree-filled spaces are also known to have an impact on blood pressure, lowering it as well as other stress-inducing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Even though we're all stuck at home (for good reason, of course) it's still important to get your fix of nature and all the good things that come along with it. Take a look at some of the tours and experiences below to get you outside, while staying home. 

A Clipper butterfly (Parthenos sylvia). Image retrieved from Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory website.

Visit the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory through a 360-degree YouTube video featuring beautiful greenery, tons of natural light, and, of course, butterflies! If you want to venture a little further than Cambridge, Ontario, the American Museum of Natural History also has a 360-degree tour of their conservatory (complete with classical music, of course). 

Butterflies aren't your thing? No problem! Parks Canada has put together an extensive list of National Parks and Historic Sites to explore, powered by Google Street View. Venture all over the country, from Terra Nova National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador to the S.S. Keno National Historic Site in the Yukon. 

Terra Nova National Park. Image retrieved from Parks Canada. 

If you're less about the trees and more about flowers and foliage, you can also tour botanical gardens from all around the world. Check out the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens in New York with a virtual tour, or head across the ocean to the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland and take a peek at their herbarium or Palm House. 

If you're more of an animal person, we've got you covered — after all, "nature" can mean a lot of things! Lucky for you, places like The Toronto Zoo are also bringing nature to you. You can watch live streams of gorillas, giraffes, penguins, and meerkats on The Toronto Zoo's Twitch, TorontoZooLife, with zookeeper talks every weekday at 2pm EST. If you want more options to watch your favourite furry (or non-furry) friends, Explore.org offers live videos from all around the world — when else will you be able to watch Brown Bears fish at Katmai National Park in Alaska? 

A Brown Bear from Katmai National Park in Alaska. Image retrieved from National Park Service.

No matter your interests (or the state of our stay-at-home advisory) it's never impossible to enjoy nature. One of the benefits of operating online is that institutions and organizations are getting more and more clever with how to bring their in-person experiences to you at home, so take advantage of these amazing digital experiences.  Let's not forget the benefits that nature (virtual or otherwise) can have on our wellbeing —  get outside, stay home, and take care of yourself!

BATTLING BURNOUT: BEATING THE BLUES

GLAM Gets Mindful | Melissa Mertsis 

_______________________________________________________________

For this edition of GLAM Gets Mindful, I found myself struggling to come up with a pertinent topic to write about. We're almost at the end of the semester, everyone is exhausted, busy beyond their means, and is burnt out... so what better thing to write about than burnout itself?

Burnout is that feeling right before you finish something really big, whether it's a project at work, a semester at school, or planning an event (virtually, of course). You've been working hard for weeks, probably not sleeping well, and you're just tired, both mentally and physically. That's burnout, and it's usually caused by excessive stress. I know what you're thinking -- this just sounds like "being a grad student," right? I get it (and it's true) but it's also something to keep an eye on!

Signs of burnout from Help Guide.

  

Burnout and stress are similar but not the same. The main difference between stress and burnout is that when you're stressed, you still have faith that you can complete the tasks you need to. With burnout, everything feels impossible, not only because you're exhausted, but because your motivation and desire to exceed have both dwindled. A little bit of stress in your life is normal, especially in grad school when we're all trying to set ourselves up for success. If you get to the point of burnout, it's time to change something. Here are some tips to avoid (or recover) from burnout, and finish what you need to before we get a very much needed (and extra long!) Holiday break. 

Check out Dr. Craig Dike's summary of stress vs. burnout.

The most well-recognized approach to recover from burnout is the 3-R Approach: Reorganize, Reframe, and Rebalance. 

Reorganize: Figure out what are the goals you need to accomplish. Would it be nice to finish 3 assignments in one day? Yes. Is that a realistic and attainable goal? No. Figure out what goal is the most important, and focus your energy there. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day. 

Reframe: If your mountain of "to-do's" has suddenly become unattainable, that's okay. Take a step back, and reframe. Have you been avoiding a certain assignment or a certain task? We've all been there, but things cannot be avoided forever. Take a mental note of your "approach vs. avoid" mentality, and try that daunting task with as positive an attitude as possible.

Rebalance: Rebalancing (in this context) is also synonymous with being realistic. Despite popular opinion, humans are bad at multi-tasking, so focus on finding a better balance between your "wants" and your "needs" and being better at both of them on their own. 

In addition to reorganizing, reframing, and rebalancing your priorities, it's okay to take a rest. Taking care of your mental health is more important than being what everyone tells you is "productive enough." If you feel yourself slipping somewhere past burnout and you need some help, there are a ton of resources both on and off-campus to help you get back on your feet (check out the last edition of Grad School Guide where Jaime and I shared a ton of mental health resources).

As we progress into the last few weeks of the semester, remember: take the breaks you need, reorganize/reframe/rebalance, ask for help when you need it, and have some faith in yourself — you got this! 

Image retrieved from Runaway Juno.

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS: RESOURCES FOR GRAD STUDENTS

Grad School Guide | Melissa Mertsis and Jaime Meier

_______________________________________________________________

CW: anxiety, depression, therapy 

Grad school is full of many wonderful moments that make us excited to enter the field and at times it can also feel overwhelming and difficult to get the most out of classes without the proper support. Accessing Mental Health services, in particular, can feel daunting, so Melissa and I are here to share resources that can be utilized at the iSchool, University of Toronto, and off-campus. One of the most important things in ensuring your success is finding a resource that works well for you — whether that be a psychologist, a counsellor, or an app-based service. We have either personally used and benefited from these services, had friends benefit from them, or have heard stellar recommendations from others.

Feelin' like this lately? We've got your back.

The iSchool offers support via student services and an embedded counsellor. When you’re struggling with your mental health, school can quickly become overwhelming. Thankfully there are many great folks at student services who can help out! For example, Sherry Dang, the MI and MMSt academic advisor, is a great contact to have in mind if you need support or assistance with academic planning, academic progress, financial aid, and scholarships. If you are having a tough time managing deadlines, she is wonderful at taking the time to discuss your options and find a solution that works. If you’re looking to reach out to the iSchool for a different reason, here is a list of all the contacts who are always happy to help whenever they can. The iSchool also has an embedded counsellor, Tracey Doyle, who can help MI/MMSt students for FREE with transition issues, anxiety and depression, and much more! She can be booked through the Health and Wellness Centre.
 
The University of Toronto also has a great variety of resources, such as Navi, a new app that helps UofT students find mental health resources on and off-campus based on their specific needs. Not only does it provide possible sources for therapy and counselling, but also “tips, strategies, programs, and resources.” The Health and Wellness Centre also offers everything from short-term counselling to psychiatric care. I personally attend the centre and would encourage anyone with any interest or questions to call their wonderful receptionist team and they can get you booked in where you need to be.

Our reaction because MMSt has such great in-house support!

Other than student services and Navi, all of these resources cost money. Luckily, student benefits through the UTGSU cover $500 worth of psychologists and therapists per year. Not to mention that OHIP covers psychiatry services because they are doctors able to prescribe medicine. While these forms of payment have worked for Melissa and I, make sure to talk to your psychiatrist’s/therapist’s office to ensure that you are on the same page about billing and coverage.

If you’re interested in going outside of the University of Toronto for mental health support and assistance, there are a ton of options for you to explore. If you’re not ready to see a professional yet (which is okay!) there are some great resources to check out on your own. BounceBack is a free online resource offered by the Canadian Mental Health Association, “designed to help adults and youth manage low mood, mild/moderate depression and anxiety, stress, [and] worry.” Video topics include problem-solving, balanced thinking, and how to deal with unhelpful behaviour, and are offered in 7 different languages! These videos were a great segway into getting comfortable with getting help. 

If you're feeling stressed, anxious, or alone, chances are someone else is too! 

Check in on your pals to see how they're holding up.

If you’re ready to start getting support outside of your own means, there are a number of ways to find someone to connect with. Shift Collab helps you connect with therapists virtually, offering 15 minute free meet-and-greets with their practitioners to make sure you are a good fit before getting started. They also have compiled a “Starting Therapy” package which is a great resource to reference when you’re first starting out. Good2Talk is another confidential support service for students in Ontario (and Nova Scotia!) offering phone counselling, or text-based support if you’re in crisis. ConnexOntario also offers support on the phone, over email, or online chat. Hope for Wellness Helpline and Talk4Healing are similar services geared towards Indigenous folks, so make sure to check those out if you’re looking for someone to talk to.

Online psychology databases like Psychology Today, Toronto Psychotherapy Group, and Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists are all good starting points when trying to find a therapist. These databases allow you to read about a ton of practising professionals, sort by specialization, availability, and more. The UTGSU also has a list of walk-in counselling resources that do not require appointments or fees; just be sure to check on their COVID policies before going! Although most professionals, in our experience, offer free consultations, there are hourly charges associated with seeing a therapist or counsellor. Be sure to check out pricing, affordability, and government or benefit coverage before committing! The Canadian Association for Mental Health has a document describing the differences between OHIP-covered assistance and paid assistance that may be helpful.

Taking care of your mental health can be a lot sometimes, but keep pushing through — you can do it!

If you’re looking to get started on your own mental health journey, whether within the University of Toronto, the Faculty of Information, or externally, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, give yourself a pat on the back! Taking care of your mental health is a hard thing to accomplish, and admitting you might need some support is even harder. Second, patience is key. Take your time reaching out and testing multiple providers to find what is best for you; don’t give up! As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, different resources work for different people. Find what works best for you and focus on that. Your mental health is important — we hope you have a chance to explore some of the resources we've shared today!

--- 
If you are in crisis or physical danger call 911. 
You may also contact a Telehealth Ontario nurse at 1-866-797-000, or contact Distress Centres of Toronto at 416-408-HELP (4357). 
Telecare can be contacted at 416-920-0497 and offers service in Mandarin & Cantonese.
Other crisis contacts can be found here. 

0 RESULTS FOUND: TIPS AND TRICKS TO OVERCOME JOB SEARCH STRESS

 GLAM Gets Mindful | Melissa Mertsis

_____________________________________________________________________________

As I'm sure many of us know, even in normal times the job search process is stressful. Factor in COVID-19, the fact that graduation is a few months away, and the generalized anxiety and stress about the state of the world... it seems basically impossible. But, I have some good news — it is possible, and you can do it! Although job applications are a ton of work, you can take some stress off of your plate by following some of the tips and tricks I've come across in my own job search journey. This list is by no means exhaustive, and I encourage you to capitalize on the tips and tricks that work best for you — anything you can do to make this stressful process easier is a success in my books! Let's get started.

This article, where the image is from, also has some helpful tips about job search stress!

My first tip is to make a LinkedIn account, if you haven't already, and to frequently update it. It is way easier to monitor and update your account regularly than to scramble and try to remember everything you did the past few months at that one time when you need it during the job search. LinkedIn isn't just about job experience — you can also highlight volunteer experiences, internships, and notable projects which are all interesting to potential employers. There's also a section at the bottom where you can describe some of your best skills, similar to a "qualifications" section on a resume, so make sure you are taking advantage of selling your skills in as many ways as possible on LinkedIn — employers will look at your profile, and the more well-rounded you are, the better!


Another function on LinkedIn I think is especially helpful is the "recommendations" section. Essentially, this area on LinkedIn allows people that you have worked with in the past to write you mini reference letters, detailing what they enjoyed about working with you, endorsing important skills that you have, and sharing any other information they think people should know about you. Something I did last year was a "recommendation exchange" with some of my friends and peers where we all wrote each other recommendations based on experiences we've had with each other, and it was really successful! This is also a great way to source people to write you a reference letter in the future (it also doesn't hurt to know what people think you do really well).

The image above is from this article on the importance of networking.

Something you hear a lot in the program is that networking is important in the job search. When I first heard this I was extremely intimidated — I had no idea how to network with someone in person, let alone online during a pandemic. However, I have found that networking is actually not as scary as you think! "Networking" can look like a lot of things. Most recently I have gotten into the habit of connecting with guest speakers from class on LinkedIn to thank them for their time and referencing something I really enjoyed about their presentation. Many speakers also share their personal emails — so use it to your advantage! Your professors are also great opportunities for networking, so don't be afraid to reach out to them on LinkedIn or through their e-mails to start conversations that expand beyond your courses. Professors are usually happy to connect and help out, and it doesn't hurt that they usually know a ton of people in the field!

Another tip I have is keeping a baseline CV and/or resume and cover letter prepped to go at all times. A successful job application is a specially tailored job application, but that doesn't mean you can't make it a little easier for yourself. I have a "template" resume that has a lot of my experience on it that I adjust as I apply to different jobs. Although you still have to put the work in to tailor the resume and cover letter, it's a lot easier if the resume is already formatted how you like it. I also find it helpful to look back at how past-Melissa described some of my jobs; sometimes I really like how I worded something, or sometimes the time passed has made me realize I'd like to change something. Either way, having baseline documents from which to work frees up a lot of your time to spend on advertising your skills, instead. If you need help writing a strong CV, resume, or cover letter, check out some of the great resources that the Faculty of Information offers.

This image by Toby Mac is important to keep in mind when job hunting!

Finally, my last tip for this article is to give yourself time and try to keep morale up —"if it doesn't open, it probably isn't your door." If a job doesn't work out, try to frame it as a positive experience; it just simply was not meant to be. Jobs that you don't get can be just as valuable as the ones that you do get, and rejections, although sometimes tough to handle, are a great way to reflect on your practices and experiences and figure out how to improve. Don't hesitate to ask for feedback from the employer you were not successful with, most times they are happy to share and they might have extremely valuable feedback! There's another saying that "good things fall apart so better things can come together" — maybe you have something great just around the corner, so keep your LinkedIn updated, your mind open, and your resume ready to go!

THE UNFAIR ULTIMATUM: UNPAID LABOUR OR NO EXPERIENCE

GLAM Gets Mindful | Melissa Mertsis

________________________________________________________________________________

In a call for transparency early last year, a spreadsheet was started by Michelle Millar Fisher and colleagues at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, highlighting the salaries of museum and art workers from around the world. The importance of this conversation was inspired by Kimberly Rose Drew, who only realized she was being underpaid at The Met because of the openness of her colleagues to share information about their compensation. The spreadsheet has now reached over 3000 entries, sharing museum and art workers' salaries from all around the world. This initiative has helped in opening up an extremely important discussion — what is our labour worth?

Courtesy of Melissa Mertsis.

In the arts and culture sector, especially as students, we are all too familiar with the most unfortunate ultimatum — you either are willing to work for free, or you risk not gaining enough experience to eventually get a job. At the University of Toronto, internships are heavily emphasized by the Faculty and alumni as being integral to the success of Museum Studies students. The part that is not as openly advertised is that most internships are unpaid. Although some financial support is offered by the Faculty, students are essentially expected to commit full-time hours to an institution for zero compensation, with the internship being "for credit" considered sufficient payment. Since students are paying for their own tuition, we are essentially paying out of pocket to gain experience so we have even a slight chance of employment after graduation.

Courtesy of Melissa Mertsis.

ARTNews shared an article about how museum workers can "Just Say No" to unpaid interns, including refraining from reposting ads for unpaid internships or donating funds to needs-based internships. For students, "Just Saying No" is not an option. The museum sector is one that is heavily based on experience and networking, and for students, we don't really get this exposure until we get to this stage in our education. Passing up an opportunity to work for a reputable institution, for reputable folks, in a department that you really enjoy, just because it's unpaid would entirely be seen as a mistake.

At this point, some people may still be thinking that an internship is a privilege, and students should be grateful for the experience, whether or not it's paid. Trust us — we are — but we also have other entirely financial things to worry about. For example, the living wage in Toronto as of November 2019 was $22, with an average rent cost of $2103 a month for a one-bedroom apartment. This year, tuition for the Museum Studies program is $12,038.65 with a post-secondary TTC pass ringing in at $128.15 a month, and a single round-trip GO fare charging around $10-12 a trip from most places in the GTA to campus. A student at Western University described her internship as a choice between gaining experience or making rent, painting an entirely negative picture of interning and the working world.

Courtesy of Melissa Mertsis.

If you currently work in a gallery, museum, or other institution, there are a few steps you can take towards promoting fair labour. First, and arguably the easiest, is to pay your interns. If it's not in your institution's budget, take some time to explore grant opportunities like the Summer Experience Program; a small amount of paperwork for you means that your intern can afford rent this month. You can also use this checklist created by the Ontario Nonprofit Network to see how your institution fares in providing decent work, and hopefully recognize that doing the bare minimum is not sufficient anymore. Take some time to review this research report titled "Interrogating Institutional Practices in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion," and pay special attention to the concept that not paying your interns entirely excludes candidates that simply cannot afford to work for free. You can also read this community forum (created by Faculty of Information PhD students!) speaking about how contract positions and unstable work in the museum sector contributes to poor mental health and security.

Courtesy of Melissa Mertsis.

The unfair ultimatum — either work for free or gain absolutely no employable experience — is toxic to student mental health and well-being, and promotes accepting inappropriate compensation for your labour. If we start students in the workforce thinking that their efforts and contributions aren't worth any money, we can only expect unlivable wages and unfair working conditions to continue — and we, the students, think this is no longer acceptable.

TOUGH CONVERSATIONS: MENTAL HEALTH AND MAKING CHANGES

GLAM Gets Mindful | Melissa Mertsis

________________________________________________________________________________

In recent weeks, our world has opened up to new conversations that should have been going on for a while. Our communities have initiated tough conversations on pertinent and meaningful topics. From examining our own biases and understanding types of racism, to mourning the loss of Black lives and following the world-wide protests. Though these conversations are necessary for change, how do we take care of ourselves and our well-being, while still keeping the conversation alive?

@ablackfemaletherapist outlines witnessing trauma online, trying to control the way someone else behaves, and attempting to change people as being emotionally draining, things I'm sure we're becoming increasingly familiar with.

The first thing you might want to try is cutting yourself some slack — 2020 has been a tough year for many of us. Stress and anxiety were already high because of COVID-19, and have been on a steady rise. It's okay if you feel more on edge than normal, so try and be kind to yourself and to others. Check in on your friends, family, and loved ones, and ask how they're handling the events of 2020, and lean on your community for support. There is power in numbers, and some of your community may be more affected by what's happening than you are. 

Check out @hellaamelanin's guide on "How to Practice Self Care." This account is a wonderful addition to your Instagram feed, with pertinent content about protests, white privilege, and the Black Lives Matter movement. 

Social media can also be used as a support for minding your mental health. I have recently found some great accounts sharing tips, tricks, and therapeutic support on how to care for yourself. Some personal favourites of mine are @hellamelanin, @ablackfemaletherapist, and @minaa_b. Although social media accounts are not a replacement for professional support (check out some Toronto resources here) they do act as a great reminder on how to take care of yourself and others. 

If you're overwhelmed by social media, news outlets, or just in general, that's okay. It's important to understand that there are ways to work towards anti-racist praxis and activism that don't require mental stress and strain — you can take a step back. You can sign a petition (like this one motioning for the Faculty of Information to do better), support Black businesses with some retail therapy, watch a movie, or read a book. There are lots of ways to keep the end-goal in mind without sacrificing your mental health and well-being as a result. Museum Professionals of Colour and MUSSA have compiled lists of resources you can consult on your own time to further your education about combatting anti-Black racism.

If you're not a member of the BiPOC community, it's normal and expected to feel stressed, angry, upset, and confused during the protests and other anti-racist movements. Despite this, it's your time to listen and learn. A lot of personal growth towards allyship can be done behind the scenes even as you're taking a break. Don't forget that your mental health is just as important as the next person, and shouldn't be sacrificed for a social media trend — the necessary work can happen no matter what your mental availability is. 

OPERATING ONLINE: TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF IN A DIGITAL WORLD

GLAM Gets Mindful | Melissa Mertsis
________________________________________________________________________________

Welcome back to the first summer post of GLAM Gets Mindful — I'm excited to be back! In my last article, "Mitigating Loneliness by Moving Online," I shared with you some of the coolest online exhibitions, digital tours, and museum resources for curing that quarantine loneliness. Two months later,  the GLAM sector continues to operate exclusively online. Although many of us are grateful to be able to experience our favourite institutions digitally, the internet is exhausting. How do you balance staying connected to your sector while still being mindful of your well-being? 

Social media is just one way we've been able to stay connected in the GLAM sector, especially during times of distancing and isolation. Instagram has been an especially useful tool for many of our favourite institutions, providing a great platform for new online campaigns. For example, you can check out the Royal Ontario Museum's (@romtoronto) Instagram campaign "Ask ROM Anything" where they share expertise from their curators and staff, or Bata Shoe Museum's (@batashoemuseum) Trivia Thursdays. Museum twitter is also especially active and generates some incredible content (we're looking at you, Museum of English Rural Life) that you don't want to miss out on.

Told you @TheMERL's twitter was great. Go check it out!

Unfortunately, as the saying goes, you can have too much of a good thing. Social media can easily exhaust its users and cause them to feel even further away from their community. Social media fatigue results in people visiting social media less because of feelings of anxiety and overstimulation. If you're starting to feel this way, it's okay to take a step back and take a break! Museum Twitter will still be there when you get back, and you might be able to enjoy it more with a rested mind. 

Zoom and other video platforms have also become an asset for collaboration during COVID-19. Museums and other GLAM institutions have been implementing webinars and digital talks about professional development, online engagement, and more. The Group of Emerging Museum Professionals has compiled a list of online resources, including an extensive list of webinars, that you can check out here. 

Learn more about the Group of Emerging Museum Professionals here. 

Although we can learn a lot from the experts in our sector in an online webinar, it's important to consider the impact these calls have on our mental health. Zoom exhaustion is real, and the quality of our attention differs in an online lecture. Often we are multitasking while online, visually over-stimulated, and - quite frankly - that much eye contact is not normal. If you've been feeling Zoom exhausted, simple tricks like turning your camera off or relocating outside while taking a call can help you be more productive, and feel less drained. Give it a shot on your next conference call, it can make a world of a difference. 

You can also turn to the GLAM sector for assistance with mindfulness tips and tricks (while keeping the previously mentioned suggestions in mind). The Rubin Museum of Art has been sharing a number of resources on Instagram TV (@rubinmuseum) including guided curatorial object tours, musical performances, and philosophical discussions. The National Museum of Asian Art is offering free online meditation workshops with no previous experience required - take a look at their workshop schedule for the next session. Our own Inforum has also transitioned their Mindful Moments workshops to a digital format, which you can find on their Instagram  (@uoftinforum) every Wednesday. 

Times may be tough, confusing, and uncertain right now, but two things we know for sure: 

1) Pay attention to your well-being, and don't hesitate to take a break or a step back.

2) We sure are lucky to be a part of the GLAM sector. Thanks for reading everyone — until next time!

MITIGATING LONELINESS BY MOVING ONLINE

GLAM Gets Mindful | Melissa Mertsis
________________________________________________________________________________

Humans are inherently social creatures, but with social distancing and isolation in full swing, many of us are bound to have creeping feelings of loneliness and anxiety. These past few weeks have been a drastic change from my average social life; instead of visiting museums and galleries, I'm stranded at home, and it's only a matter of time before boredom prevails. GLAM institutions are aware of the effect that closures have on the publics that typically enjoy them, and have come up with many ways to mitigate loneliness, curb your boredom, and keep your mind active. Here are some of the coolest online activities to explore when you're feeling especially restless. 

Digital tours are a great way to satiate your need to visit your favourite museum, especially since many institutions have closed their doors. The Museum of Modern Art in New York offers more than 84,000 of its artworks through online collections; from Van Gogh to Picasso, you really can see it all from the comfort of your living room. Always wanted to see Musée d'Orsay, but never been to Paris? Never fear. You can sift through the museum's collection index to see some of your favourites (or perhaps discover a new one!) 

One of my favourite fossils at the Royal Ontario Museum - the T. Rex! You can check this guy out on the ROM's online collections page while the museum is closed. Photo Courtesy of Melissa Mertsis.

If you're more of an auditory learner, the GLAM sector's got you covered. Many institutions offer free videos on their websites, from artist interviews and exhibition previews to collection highlights. The Met Museum has over 1400 videos available to watch on their website, in addition to audio guides of different exhibitions (available in 10 languages!) Some institutions are also on YouTube. The National Gallery of Canada's YouTube channel offers short video clips about exhibition installation, the curators behind your favourite exhibits, and more. 

Social distancing also allows time for picking up a new skill or a craft. Although many museum craft tutorials tend to be geared towards children, adults are free to try too! The Children's Museum of the Arts offers free online resources for crafting, including how to emboss with foil and painting with ice cubes. The #MetKids series on YouTube offers a variety of video tutorials at different learning levels. Try your hand at weaving on a hand-made loom, or learn some comic illustration techniques - the possibilities are endless. 

I tried my hand at weaving with some help from the #MetKids YouTube series - it's for grown-ups too! Photo Courtesy of Melissa Mertsis. 

If you're worried about losing out on learning opportunities while you're at home, there are plenty of opportunities to move this learning online. For example, you could try enrolling in an online lecture series such as the one John Walsh (Director Emeritus) of the J. Paul Getty Museum offers. This lecture series on the art collection at Yale University has a "syllabus" of its own, with recorded lectures and even a suggested reading list. Just because you're not in school anymore, it doesn't mean the learning needs to stop! 

We're certainly living through an interesting period in history with many of us spending more time at home than ever. The good news is that you don't need to stop interacting with museums just because you're at home! From arts and crafts, to tutorials, to exploring a new collection - moving your discovery online is one way to mitigate loneliness and boredom in our current climate, all thanks to museums.