philanthropy manager

human resources assistant

retail assistant manager

associate

technical support specialist

The Metropolitan Opera

I have been working at MET as a proofreader of operas translated from English to Polish.It is a correction of grammar as well as translations themselves. My contact with my superiors takes place via phone conversations or e-mail exchange. In this very fast pace, very detailed oriented job. My superiors always understand how demanding my assignments are and always understand if, occasionally, I extend the hours of my translations. They are extremely helpful if any problems arise and ready to help me solve them. Their help and understanding of my work have always been available without any delay. Not only that, their instructions are always deliver in an extremely friendly and understanding matter. They always appreciate and value my work and let me know about it. It would be hard to imagine a better manner of communication with your superiors. Despite fast and often stressful nature of the work, they create a friendly, relaxed atmosphere making everybody's job a great experience.

At the Met, the focus, including money and resources, is on the performances. The administrative and customer service leg of the Met is overlooked and not run efficiently.  You process transactions and try to solicit donations from operagoers.  You see how an arts nonprofit is run and this is a dying breed. Our union lawyer stated in meetings that arts organizations nationwide were suffering before Covid. Hours are cut, raises are few and far in-between, but the duties will increase and that will escalate because the customer base for a dying artform is shrinking.  Hardest part is dealing with rude, picky  opera lovers and mgmt who has not realized that effective, seamless customer service is key to sustaining contributions from members.  The enjoyable part is working inside the opera house, getting a backstage tour, possibly running into artists--some famous-- and of course comp tickets.

It was a fun place to work because you got to work a different show each night. Supervisors were brutal. If you weren't on their good side you were picked on until you cried. I have never seen grown adults cry more at a job than this one. (This was years ago so this may have changed) 

The policy a the time was if you couldn't do 1 show even a rehearsal you couldn't take the contract for the whole run. that meant the loss of thousands of dollars. It was a very harsh policy. And you were not guaranteed  work. You could get 1 show for the whole year or 12. very random and not by seniority. 

The calls were long and each department has its own rules. Sometimes its a 12 hr opera and you cant touch your cellphone for the whole thing. 

It is a great learning experience and the amount of people you meet is incredible. Everyone who works there works somewhere else in the industry and they are just great at helping you later on. It was this that pushed me forward. If your looking to break into theater and have a tough skin I highly recommend it.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The interactions with people with so many diffrent backgrounds and the family atmosphere 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
While the company is trying to cut back on overtime and it isn't always mandatory. Some complain long hours. Sometimes for obvious reason overtime can be bitter sweet

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Depends on the department you work In. There are offices and construction shops. Skilled and unskilled labor. Enviorment can be fast paced. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Cleaning setting up meetings moving boxes or equipment sometimes furniture

The only thing that is not good at the Met is the pay. Other than that it's a TERRIFIC job but it's not a career for customer service representatives. We work in the call center and even though we are in the  same building as everyone else, the customer care representatives are not recognized as "full"  employees. We are eligible for health benefits but not 401k's or FSA's, and certainly not a pension plan. It's really hard to feel good about all the hours I put in knowing I am going to be a pauper in my golden years.

Mornings and afternoons are spent rehearsing. Evenings are spent performing. 
I’ve learned invaluable knowledge of music and performing under high pressure situations. As well as working with a team. 
Management is constantly trying to strip salary and benefits.
Workplace is plagued with body shaming and abuse/harassment by those higher in the power structure. 
Hardest part is the workplace culture. It’s toxic. 
Most enjoyable is the magic of high performance art you constantly experience. 

The costume shop is a great place to intern or start as a first job out of college. You are trained on-site in a fast paced environment that prepares you for the chaos that will ultimately ensue working multiple productions at once. You will work with talented designers and tailors/seamstresses that are miracle workers.. and see your hard work come to life on the most famous opera stage in the world. Great place to work if you can handle all the unexpected craziness that comes with working in theater!

I was a union employee, yet I was treated inhuman. The union representation was in agreement with management not the union employee. I asked to see the union contract and was denied the requests. I watched new employees being abused by older employees. I saw management pile 3 times the work on people that were not in their circle. I was threaten to   be sent home if I didnt work fast enough. The venue provides entertainment for patrons from all over the world and always has good reviews but from an employee perspective they treats workers like slaves with no rights.

A typical day at work started by checking e-mails, and fixing people's accounts before the mail got brought to the office so we could start inputting Patron info, mailing out dress rehersal requests, or putting orders into the computer. Depending on how important it was, it could take all day or a couple of hours. The supervisors were mostly efficient. Sometimes the day could drag, but if you kept up the work it would fly by. 

I was paid decently at The MET, but I was in that building more than I was at home. It can be a fun place to work, but is very toxic for a number of reasons. Your Union is your best friend when you work for The MET.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Philanthropy manager 1 salary reported	$48,500 per year
Human resources assistant 6 salaries reported	$57,250 per year
Retail assistant manager 2 salaries reported	$20.75 per hour
Associate 1 salary reported	$21.50 per hour
Technical support specialist 1 salary reported	$55,000 per year

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