The role of the volunteer within an institution can vary greatly depending on the size and expertise of the museum's staff. The possibilities are as diverse as the talents and interests of the individual volunteer.
Museums rely on people with special training to carry out their programs.
The number and variety of job types in a museum depend on its size and financial structure. Medium-sized museums usually omit or combine jobs in accordance with their resources and collections. A small museum may have only a few people who must be able to command a wide variety of museum skills. A number of colleges and universities have established graduate museum studies programs leading to a certificate or a master's degree. The majority of museums now require an upper level degree, either in museology or an academic discipline, for professional positions.