Meredith Rutledge is an assistant curator at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. She took many classes in popular culture, history and music in college, which fueled her interest in rock 'n' roll history and gave her a basis to begin her career. She started working on the floor at the museum and gradually moved her way up. She is passionate about the museum exhibits she helps create and aspires to become a full curator in the future. She currently contributes to the curator blog at Rockhall.com.

What do you do, and why did you decide to pursue this career field?
I am assistant curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. I am a lifelong music fan and history buff and find that this job suits my skills and interests perfectly.

What type of preparation did you do to get into this field?
I studied music, popular culture and history in college and worked at museums in high school and again before I moved to this position.

How did your education help you in your career?
My education gave me a solid foundation in the basics of what I do.

What was your career path like in this field?
I started here at the museum, working on the floor part time as a visitor services representative. After four years, I moved to the curatorial department as curatorial assistant, then I became assistant curator after two years.

What types of skills is someone required to have to work in your position?
My job requires a knowledge of music history, current music and a familiarity with the music industry. Research and writing ability is essential.

What do you do on a typical workday?
I spend a lot of time on the phone and emailing, establishing and maintaining contacts for acquiring artifacts. I am frequently on the Internet and reading, doing research to write label copy for exhibits. I also work on updating our website.

Do you plan to advance to another position within your career field?
I plan to become a full curator, to advance my career and enhance my earning potential.

What type of person do you think is best suited for a job in your field?
A person with a lot of passion for the material does well in this field.

Do you have any advice for those who are looking to launch a career in your field?
If this is your passion, stay with it. There aren’t a lot of positions in this particular field, so you really need to be the best at what you do and stick with it.