With increasing competition and a shortage of opportunities, how can Emerging Museum Professionals (EMPs) move from entry level jobs to more senior positions? How can they remain engaged in the field? To move across the border between entry and senior level positions, EMPs should seek out unconventional opportunities to grow their knowledge and skill sets. The learning outcomes for this session are for EMPs to recognize their current experience and skills, to identify areas they should develop and to learn how to seek out opportunities that will help them achieve their goals. Speakers will discuss: different museum career paths, finding professional development funding, how to market yourself, building a personal brand, consulting, taking initiative in entry level jobs, seeking challenging volunteer opportunities and the value of mentor-mentee relationships.