I first learned about the Brooklyn Museum during a presentation by Shelley Bernstein at the Brooklyn Beta conference. Shelley presented on the museum's use of technology and social media to enhance their connection to the community. Like everyone else in the room, I was stunned. I don't think any of us had ever seen an organization that just got it the way that the Brooklyn Museum seemed to. Shelley talked about using social media to build genuine relationships with the community. Rather than trying to steer and control the conversation, the museum chose to be an active participant in the conversation that the community directed. Afterward, I found myself telling friends that this organization was the first I had ever seen to take a sincere approach to social media.

A few days after the conference, I noticed that a job opening at the Brooklyn Museum that I was well suited for had been posted. I decided on the spot that I would apply because I believe that my skills in web development coupled with the Brooklyn Museum's inspired use of the web could lead to new and exciting experiences for museum visitors, employees, and the Brooklyn community at large.