Computer Literacy for Job Applicants

Ann M. Benning, Graduate Research Assistant, October 13, 2009

To assess what kind of computer proficiency is required of prospective job applicants, I have surveyed several dozen job descriptions.  These job descriptions can be found under the Job Openings section of the Resources for Museum Professionals document, which is on the Current Students page on the KU Museum Studies website.  Almost all of the museum job position descriptions mention that the applicant must have computer skills of some kind.  While some descriptions specify which programs applicants should be proficient at, many just refer to computer skills in a general way.  In these cases, it will be up to the applicant to demonstrate his/her knowledge somehow.

Specific Programs:

• Almost every job description that requires proficiency in specific computer programs includes Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, etc.).
• Some institutions also require the applicant to be familiar with the system used for their collections database (particularly for collections managers).  PastPerfect was the most commonly named system, but a few institutions use The Museum System instead.
• Other software programs frequently mentioned include Adobe programs, Publisher, Blackbaud (fund-raising), and FileMaker Pro.
• Certain job positions require proficiency in particular computer programs: archivists should be familiar with EAD (Encoded Archival Description) and exhibit designers might need to know how to use programs such as Illustrator, Photoshop, Vectorworks, form Z, Sketch-Up, or AutoCAD.

Where can you go to familiarize yourself with these programs?

• KU Libraries Instructional Services offers workshops throughout the year on many of the computer programs mentioned above.  Their offerings include Access, Acrobat, Dreamweaver, EndNote, Excel, GIS, Outlook, Photoshop, PowerPoint, and Word.  KU Libraries Instructional Services also offers workshops on graphics, statistical analysis, multimedia streaming and casting, digital imaging, electronic portfolios, and blogs, wikis, and RSS feeds, among other topics.  Their website with dates and times of available workshops can be found through this link.  Workshops fill up quickly and new schedules are posted regularly, so if there is something you are interested in, you should check the schedule often.
• The Museum Studies Program will be offering a workshop on Photoshop and Illustrator during November.
• The Museum Studies office also has PastPerfect and Publisher on an open computer, which can be used by students anytime that the Museum Studies office is open.
• You can also find tutorials for most computer programs online by Googling.  One example of an online tutorial directory can be found through this link.  Or you could buy a how-to book from the bookstore. (ex. Illustrator, Vectorworks )