How to Become a Ship Museum Curator 

When the history channel did history, ouch, but true.

Imagine saying your a curator for an Iowa class Battleship to people. I mean you are one of like four people who can say that. Social life be damned.

5:50 You're so wrong! You're a great communicator and an awesome teacher ! Wish I had more passionate people like you teaching history in high school !

As a museum professional myself, I always love to hear how people got to where they are. I love where I’m at now, but am definitely jealous that your office comes with some 16inch guns!

This is probably in the top ten most interesting videos on this channel. Such a cool, niche career. Must be a fascinating job.

You can tell Ryan has given a lot of tours. There's no other option but to keep going when you're leading a tour. No one on RU-vid has longer takes than him. ;-)

You are awesome and the museum is lucky to have you.

You're doing a tremendous job. I can't stop watching your videos.

You're not even half my age but you have become my hero through battleships!

Ryan, I admire you for your passion for battleship history and your tenacity in managing a museum ship. I wish I have the boundless time and limitless money to help you in your job and share your passion. I wish you all the best. With love from Malaysia!!

Pretty lucky to get that ship being so young and just a few years of experience.

I enjoyed this one. Interesting background you have. Congrats on working your way through College

Soon to be 15 years. Very good. Lucky to have you.

I've been a fan of the channel since it appeared in my RU-vid recommendations a few weeks ago. And now, I think I've met you. Because I toured Constellation, Torsk, and Taney a few years ago when you were working there. Seems like we have a bit in common. I've always been interested in ships. I fell into history as a major in college for a few reasons and ended up not knowing what to do with that. I tried graduate school, didn't complete it for a variety of reasons (might try again at some point in the future). Now, I'm looking at getting into IT, back in school taking classes for that.

I'm only on my 1st year with a museumship, very interesting

Always love vintage ships my dad was on the Lexington and Ranger a oiler and tug boat

Excellent video, thank you for doing it.

Great video, than you so much for sharing! You ooze passion for the history of this ship, and naval history in general. I’m a skilled machinist, how do I get a work visa in NJ to help keep this old girl going? 😂 I’m not kidding, if you told me I could work my trade in a museum setting(or even active navy; but I love the old stuff), and get the visa to move across the Canadian border to the USA, I’d likely jump at it. I thought for a number of years of being a naval machinist, it just didn’t pan out. Many years later as a civilian machinist, I still dream of being near the navy. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous that you found a navy-focused career that allows you to stay at home(I gave up my plans to pursue a family life that didn’t work out), but I’m happy that you have it. I’d love to work with naval ships; you have one of the best jobs in the world, and thank you for doing it so well!

Hello Ryan, I’ve been really enjoying your videos, as a radio geek I was wondering just what the ships like New Jersey had for comma?

i have to say just how inspired this video made me.

Great parents

I was working on the LST 1166 sadly it fell through the cracks and probably getting scraped also helped restore the LCI 713

Nice tutorial

As a curator, have you ever been faced with structural or conservation issues that were a major challenge, and were you able to find the right people to assist if necessary? eg I once spent an evening stuffing towels into a major water leak on an old ferry, whilst talking on the phone to a senior peer!

Fun stuff thank you for sharing!

Me and my dad came to big j and he wants to come back and so do I she is so beautiful

How many Curators have there been for the New Jersey?

To think I new you then.

What kind of feminine hygiene products did the Gedunk carry when women were integrated into the crew ?

I dont want to be come a Curator, we just want to see more of the Battleship lol, yes all 1000 rooms lol on Video lol

You could of joined the navy. Could of got your ship fix

The flag display in the background is out of order. Marine Corp is to the right of navy

Man, you know we all want to know everything about Ryan Sandwichki! Get outa here with all that “boring” nonsense 😜

As a disabled person, I had the privilege of volunteering for over 10 years at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum (where we keep the Spruce Goose) before I had to retire from my 'career.' I saw fascinating things behind the scenes and met amazing people who were always glad to see you. There are a lot of things museums need help with and I would encourage any interested to ask their local museums if volunteers are welcome as well. At my museum I started out doing data entry of the guest books then helping staff process membership renewals in administration. But after a time I found myself operating the Charitable Donations department helping schools and charities with tickets for fundraisers and organizing their library. It was an incredibly rewarding experience.

I've worked with a few different museums (including ships) in the past few years. All the ship curators I've met so far are some of the most devoted and invested historians I've met. I have a great amount of respect to everyone who chooses to go down that path.

I have never seen a person more perfect for the job they are doing than you as curator of the New Jersey! I am saddened about you being furloughed because of economic conditions. I sure hope that sorts it self out. I have become addicted to your historic vids on this great battleship. I sure learned at lot from you about the things our fathers did during WWII. Thank you sir!

I recently started working (part time) in the exhibits department of an Essex-class aircraft carrier museum ship. I went back to grad school in my 40s, got a Masters in Museum Studies, and was looking for a museum job doing exhibit design and development. Thisl museum ship got my name through our close-knit alumni network, and I started work a month ago. These videos from New Jersey have been an incredible resource, helping me learn basics about warships from this era, and what the hell everything is (except the big guns, we don't have those. But we have a hangar deck, airplane elevators and a giant catapult). I'd agree that there are many paths to working on a museum ship, even within the museum studies grad school route. I work with alumni in development (fundraising), curatorial, management, exhibits and collections. Internships, at every level of education, are a great opportunity to test the waters and make solid contacts. As Ryan's story illustrates, the museum field is extremely network-driven. You can't help but make connections at every step in your career. I never seriously thought about working on a museum ship, but I'm thrilled to be on board! I learn something new every day, and I get to work on an old warship!

I know we could always tell Ryan is great at his job and seems like a natural. But this insight into his backstory really shows he was literally born for this stuff.

Thanks for sharing your personal history with us. I have become a huge fan. Not only of the ship as an Engineering masterpiece but also of the way that you tell your stories. Very entertaining! Watching it really helps me to calm down after an exhausting day at the Office. Thanks again from Germany.

Congrats on your 14 year anniversary! 😀

Kudos to the lady wiping down the handrails behind you!

I work in the public history field. Thank you for sharing your story. It is an important career field that doesn't pay well, but is a way to channel your passions. Thanks again.

Interesting to hear your story Ryan, thanks. I work as a volunteer in a maritime museum here in the Netherlands. Feel very priviliged working in the library and archives sections. Made descriptions of pictures in centuries old books, entered data from ship drawings and scanned them and photographed small items in the collection (think ashtrays, cups and saucers from ocean liners etc,). All in all, the look behind the scenes of a museum is priceless. So much to work on and learn for this former archivist.

You are a video Rock Star. Every one of the videos you produced since being Jersey’s curator are highly informative and tremendously help build the brand of museum. Keep up the great work. Dr Mark Felton and you are top of my list on RU-vid.

I would like to see the US Navy offer a 2 week stint to all of the Curators of museum ships. It might not bring back the days of these mighty battle ships but it would provide a valuable insight as to how the new ships operate. We also need more Veterans of these ships to come forward and provide the public with their experiences on these ships as well as trying to explain their main job on board.

I started as a Museum Volunteer and Tour Guide. And later was recruited to a larger National Museum, here in San Francisco. Good to hear your story! TM retired but still interested.

Thank You for adding your story to this channel. I can’t think of a better example of what to do when you don’t know what to do when you grow up.

You've mentioned living and working in Baltimore in other videos.... are you native to Baltimore? Born and raised in Baltimore myself, tho we moved to Hagerstown in 95, when i was 13

The videos are wonderful. Keep em' coming! I have written a book on naval history (U-Boat Assault on America: WHy the US was Unprepared for War in the Atlantic -December 2017 Seaforth publishing) and one of my first book signings was aboard the New Jersey. I was also a docent for a very brief time. I have just entered into a PhD program in naval history and would love to know how I can become professionally involved with the NJ or other museum ships. What source(s) could you recommend to learn about career development?

I'm 8 years in an amazing career in the Navy. I don't care what class of ship. Curator of a Navy museum ship sounds like a complete dream.

I wish I could get this job on the Texas. Love y'all's videos!

Maybe an interview with one of the other museum people who work on the NJ? Maybe like showing some of the maintenance that goes on?

Man thx for sharing. I think people that follow you can understsand this kind of passion. So happy for you, I wish you the best!

Doing a great job Ryan! Hoping to get up there with my brother, who was an officer in the Navy, this summer. The New Jersey was part of one of his deployments.

I feel that a lot of people will be inspired to seek out employment with museum ships after watching this video. You are a great recruiter Ryan.

Thanks for answering the questions that I'm sure many of the channel's followers had been asking. Making videos during the pandemic was a great opportunity, and now you're probably the most famous museum ship employee on the Internet!

Mr Szimanski, you are doing a terrific job as a curator of a battleship. The thing you talk and the technical knowledge you impart would put a naval architect to shame.

Very curious to hear about what the other positions working at the ship are like...

I have enjoyed hearing about you're special passion Ryan.

I have a similar history but with computers, awesome that you do something that you've always loved and supported for it. Good for you!

Decided to be a history major in high school early because of History channel

Ryan is such a brilliant and extremely smart person. I was in the Army but always took an interest in ships. I have watched at least 50 of the 200 great vidios that Ryan produced for the New Jersey. Every one was very intetesting. We used to go down to the Philly Naval yard in the 1960's during open house every summer. Best part was burning our feet walking the deck of a WW2 air craft carrier. Also walked down to open house at old Frankford Arsrnal to climb on an old tank.

Love this video!

8:12 heart warming beautiful photo, I also a few favorite photos, my municipal ID card and my Commercial DL (2001) card I was so happy when I was made permanent Love of a career a getting that dream job

Ryan, you sir are a great American. I envy you and consider you one of the coolest dudes on YT...and I sub to a good deal of stuff. But that said, I learn a lot about something I think is very interesting and historical here. I hope it never changes because there is a ton of stuff to talk about with battleships, or any Navy vessel. Thanks man for doing this! Oh and thanks for not pulling the ships down and breaking parts rofl

Ryan, if you haven't already, would you do a segment on the Admiral Hipper? I apologize that this is pretty off-topic! At any rate thanks again for a great production!

You have the most amazing dad

Rayn you rock man. I ran the Southwest Aerospace Museum for a short period of time, 503C, we, especially me, total amatures, what you guys are doing you are doing so well, thanks to all for saving our history, especially you for talking about it.

I would love to see more interviews with other staff at the museum! You can start with Libby!

Saw that guy in azur lane commens under NJ, maybe fake, but hats off to the man of culture

very interesting, I thought for sure you had served in the Navy on large ships.

Do you 4 Iowa's meet sometimes to share knowledge?

Interesting video but I was surprised you never served in the Navy !

I found this very interesting, Thanks!

You are an authentic communicator!

Great story 👍😀

A social life is overrated. Hands down id rather do what you do. I keep busy enough dealing with me myself and I.

Awesome video!

The history channel was always questionable... just slightly less questionable. Back in the 90’s and early 00’s I did love that channel though. Especially the World War content.

"Back when the History Channel did history"; how often do I hear that in YT video? Is it symbolic of the sinking of the "House On The Hill"'? nb Ryan's delivery is very measured; very few humms & ahs, so good English!

He built you your own model ship to break after you broke his? Damn I should never have kids. I'd almost whip myself if I managed to break of landing gear parts when moving. Hate that feeling.

On another video, I commented that Ryan had the best job in the world. Little did I know he would do a video on how he got that fantastic job. Congratulations Ryan. Just to be immersed in the sacrificial patriotism manifested in preserving these relics of noble warfare is so incredibly inspiring.

0:53 No video about the NJ or you on this Channel is boring. They are *all* entertaining in their own unique way.

Great video, I have been wondering what your background was. I didn't think you were ex navy but have knowledge of different ships. Keep the videos coming.

Way cooler than the "how to become the pope" video I watched elsewhere.

Now I know 👌 thanks

Office on a Battleship. SOLD!

I bet you played a lot of Battleship when you were a kid.

Fantastic video. By chance is there room on a Battleship museum for a Mechanical Engineer? (Asking for an idea about my future)

With you guys being in Camden have you ever run into Earl or Randy?

Worked hard and got LUCKY. Well done, congratulations on winning big, what a great great career. PS. Behind you on those "shells" what are those "blades" around them.. they kinda look like "cone head" hats.

Not to pry but with your love of ships did you ever entertain thoughts of joining the Navy ?

Needlessly long video. You are what you eat. Next question.

You lucky bastard. I can only dream what it would be like to have your office/place of work to be a historical warship.

Great job describing your career path. This is very helpful to young people who have no idea how to reach their goals.