Once you have found a job role that interests you, you can begin building the knowledge, skills and experience that employers look for. You don't need to wait until you leave school—many of these things can be developed through everyday activities, both in and out of the classroom.

Learning new skills takes time, and everyone develops at their own pace. Every project you complete, club you join or new challenge you take on helps you grow in confidence and prepares you for future opportunities.

Here are some ways you can build your experience:

• Develop your digital skills by learning to use computers, cameras, creative software or coding tools both in school and at home.
• Follow your interests. Read books, visit museums, watch documentaries or research topics that inspire you. The more you learn, the more opportunities you may discover.
• Get involved. Join clubs, sports teams, music groups or community projects. These activities help develop teamwork, communication, leadership and organisation.
• Volunteer or gain work experience when you are old enough. Helping at a local museum, library, charity or business can give you valuable experience of working with other people.
• Think about the skills you're already developing at school. Subjects such as art, history, science, English, maths and computing all help prepare you for different types of work.
• Keep a record of your achievements. Awards, certificates, hobbies, projects and qualifications can all help demonstrate your interests and abilities when applying for future opportunities.

Every member of staff featured in this resource has followed their own unique path. There is no single route into working in museums and galleries, but continuing to learn, trying new experiences and developing your skills will help open doors to many different job roles in the future.

See Supporting Links for more help on how to find and apply for a job.