Dr. Murray: I first heard about the National Museum of Language from a few colleagues at work who were involved with it. However, after I retired, Gregory Nedved, the President of NML and a former colleague whom I had known for over 30 years, contacted me and asked if I would consider becoming a Trustee. I asked him what he had in mind for me to do. He explained that he wanted to expand the museum’s reach after it had transitioned to an all-virtual format during the pandemic lockdowns. That broad mandate really appealed to me. Having developed several large programs during my career (more on that later), I had some ideas on how to move forward. I liked the challenge and the opportunity it provided for a meaningful project in my retirement years.

Dr. Murray: I spend a lot of time thinking about the strategic goals for NML in the coming years. One of our major goals is to expand awareness of NML to a broader audience while staying true to our mission. Realizing the impact of our SEO efforts has shown me that we are reaching a much larger audience than we initially thought. This suggests that we should be able to increase our impact on language education by partnering more effectively with organizations like ACTFL and by boosting community engagement. However, to achieve this, we need a more robust financial foundation. We can no longer rely almost exclusively on volunteers. Ideally, we should secure enough funding to hire more staff to support projects like Virtual Field Trips.

Dr. Murray: My favorite project that NML has done in recent years was our in-person presentation on poetry and song with social justice themes from Africa and the Diaspora, held at the Greenbelt Library in May 2023. This event combined unique content, community engagement, visual elements, music, and outstanding organization of all the materials. We had very positive responses from those who attended, which was very satisfying. 

Dr. Murray: The idea for an exhibit on poetry with social justice themes was originally proposed by a short-term contractor who worked briefly with NML before moving on to better employment. Once again, lack of funding to retain employees is a big problem. After she left, it fell to me to take on the project, but I approached it with enthusiasm for the topic. At that time, a few years ago, there was a strong trend toward promoting social justice in U.S. society. I felt that the topic was a good fit for our mission statement, and it resonated with my own belief in the importance of breaking down barriers between people by highlighting the common yearning for social justice shared by diverse communities around the world.

Dr. Murray:
Poetry has been an important form of communication for thousands of years, spanning widely dispersed cultures and countless languages. In many cases, poetry has served as a vehicle for expressing discontent with economic unfairness, political oppression, and discrimination. The study of poetry—both ancient and modern—can reveal common themes that highlight the deeper yearnings of humanity, showing that, despite cultural differences, people share many of the same concerns.

Languages convey essential insights into the worldviews and cultures of the people who speak and write them. Preserving languages is vital not only for safeguarding linguistic diversity but also for protecting the cultural heritage of humanity. This is especially critical in our globalized world, where a relatively small number of languages often overshadow the messages and wisdom passed down by our ancestors.

The National Museum of Language (NML) supports these goals by highlighting efforts to preserve and revive languages on the brink of extinction, through initiatives such as speaker programs, blog posts, Language of the Month features, and other exhibits.

Dr. Murray: My past experiences working for the government in several roles, where I managed large-scale language training programs and coordinated efforts across multiple agencies, allowed me to build a valuable network within the government language community. Launching the STARTALK program expanded that network into the K-12 and college language teaching communities. I was able to leverage these networks to establish the NML Language Leadership Council. Throughout my career, I believe I built a positive reputation for informed and reliable leadership, which has carried over into my work with NML in retirement. My awareness of the language needs in both the government and academic communities has helped me suggest goals for NML that address the needs and interests of both sectors.

Dr. Murray:
The federal government offers many employment opportunities for language professionals. While entrance requirements vary from agency to agency, applicants generally need to demonstrate strong proficiency in reading, listening comprehension, and speaking in more than one language, often through standardized testing as part of the application process. Experience in professional-level translation and interpretation is also a significant advantage. One challenge for those interested in intelligence-related positions is obtaining a security clearance. Having close and ongoing relationships with foreign nationals from certain countries can be an issue. This is particularly challenging for those who have lived overseas, as this often contributes to their language learning, but it can be managed.

Once hired, new employees will receive extensive training—both in language skills (which may include learning new languages) and in the specific work requirements of their position. This training takes place during work hours as part of the job. The best advice is to understand the requirements of your role and remain open to taking on new tasks as directed. A positive attitude and conscientious completion of assigned tasks will pave the way for new opportunities and advancement.

When considering any job, it’s important to assess your own priorities and how they might align or conflict with the work requirements. In general, government jobs offer stable employment, opportunities for advancement, and generous benefits. However, some positions may require frequent travel or extended shifts, which could be difficult for those with family responsibilities. For example, I turned down a job offer from an agency for a program that promised rapid career advancement. I declined when I learned that it required extended paramilitary training and frequent travel, as my daughter was in elementary school at the time. Later, when I interviewed for the position I ultimately accepted at a different agency, I made sure to confirm that I would have regular hours and no travel requirements—at least not in the beginning.

Dr. Murray: Wow! I’m impressed that you looked up my dissertation. To answer your question, the research and writing I did for my dissertation were excellent preparation for the work I later did on the job. In much of my government work as a linguist, I was required to scan large volumes of foreign language material, identify critical pieces of information, translate them rapidly and accurately, and put them into written reports. This was essentially the same process I followed for my dissertation. I had to identify useful sources on my topic, scan through large volumes of books written in Classical Chinese (which is not the same as modern Chinese), extract the key data points, analyze their significance, and organize them. I even had 100 statistical tables in my dissertation.

Dr. Murray: As with any career in a large bureaucracy, there were ups and downs, triumphs and disappointments. The main thing I would do differently, with the benefit of experience, is not allow myself to get too upset about things that happened at work.

Dr. Murray: I’ve had several pivotal managerial experiences throughout my career, each presenting its own unique challenges. I spent three years working in Japan, supervising a small bilateral team of analysts who were Japanese nationals. I also managed large units of mostly military personnel in a different location and worked at the national level for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. One of the most rewarding experiences was launching the STARTALK program.

These experiences were complemented by my participation in a three-year developmental program focused on mid-level management. The lessons I learned during this time, along with the insights gained from my various roles, have shaped the way I approach leadership. Some major takeaways include: getting to know your subordinates and key leaders as individuals, focusing on listening to their concerns and building trust, and helping them with their own career development.

I also learned the importance of ensuring that everyone on the team understands the team’s goals and their role in achieving those goals, as well as making those goals as concrete as possible. Showing genuine appreciation for team members’ contributions, staying positive, keeping my word, and promoting kindness and generosity were all essential qualities that I tried to embody in my leadership style.

I see a direct application of these qualities in my work with NML, and I truly hope I am achieving that.

Sahara: How important is networking in your field, and what strategies would you recommend for building meaningful professional connections?

Dr. Murray: This is particularly important for a small organization like the National Museum of Language. By partnering with other organizations that share our goals and challenges, we can significantly expand our impact. For instance, we had a highly successful collaboration with Howard University on the African poetry project titled Social Justice Themes in Song and Verse from Africa, which was held in Greenbelt, Maryland. I’m optimistic that our new membership with the American Alliance of Museums will enhance our reputation and help solidify our status as a recognized, “real” museum.