How I Made it in Social, featuring Karen Vidangos, Senior Manager of Social Media at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Karen Vidangos, the Senior Manager of Social Media at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, shares how she landed the dream job of all dream jobs, her favorite post, and so much more.
Welcome to Make It Go Viral’s weekly interview series, How I Made It In Social. Every Wednesday, Pennant Digital Social Media Director Anna Fogel talks to the best and brightest people working in social media about their career journey.
Next up: Karen Vidangos, whose resume will make art lovers everywhere wildly jealous. From the Guggenheim New York to Smithsonian Institution and now currently working for The Metropolitan Museum of Art as the Senior Manager of Social Media, Karen shares what has changed since her career started, valuable lessons she's learned, and the impressive personal brand she's built along the way. If this edition resonated with you, please share it with someone you love.
What was your first job in social?
My first job doing social media was as Communications Coordinator for Glenstone Museum. I was there a year before the expansion opening and essentially worked to build and grow their newly created accounts. This was way back in 2017.
What has changed about the industry since then?
Since 2017, video has been evermore present and prioritized on all channels outside of YouTube. TikTok, of course, changed everything for social media managers. Suddenly our scope grew and new skills had to be acquired if we didn’t have them already.
First piece of content you ever hit publish on?
My first post must’ve been for Glenstone Museum; I believe announcing the expansion opening. To be honest, I don’t really remember. Perhaps some social media managers save it as a special moment to look back on, but to be honest, I didn’t think twice about it.
What was the most valuable thing you learned early on in your career?
Networking is one of the most invaluable skills for career growth. Early in my career, I connected with professionals whose work I admired, and many of them became friends and mentors. These relationships not only enriched my professional journey but also opened doors that directly contributed to my success.
How did you showcase your body of social media work?
My social media portfolio is available on my website, where I showcase key projects at all the institutions I’ve worked for (not publicly accessible though, sorry). Additionally, I maintain an external hard drive that serves as a comprehensive archive of my work, organized into folders by museum to trace my contributions over the years.
What is your current role?
I am the Senior Manager of Social Media at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
What do you think was the key factor in getting a foot in the door to your new role?
I focused on work that not only made the institution shine but also reflected my own values and professional standards. I connected with key leaders in my industry and made an effort to attend talks, artist walkthroughs, and conferences whenever possible. I sought feedback on my resume and cover letter from trusted friends, ensuring I presented myself in the best possible light. My career has been built on a strategic and multifaceted approach, leveraging connections, continuous learning, and intentional self-presentation.
Did your own social media habits or ‘personal brand’ help (or hurt) your job search?
I've cultivated a personal brand that aligns with my work, focusing on being a Latina in the arts and navigating the field authentically. From the start, I decided not to filter my content for institutional acceptance—it's a take-it-or-leave-it approach. My content, often described as 'hopecore,' is honest about my journey and struggles, aiming to show my community they are not alone. Over the years, I've been heartened to see that my approach has resonated with the institutions I've worked for. They've appreciated how my perspective complements my professional work, particularly in highlighting underrepresented works in museum collections.
Do you think brand building is something social pros should set aside time for?
Absolutely not. Building a personal brand as a social media professional can be incredibly rewarding, but it's not without challenges. I chose to do it because I’m passionate about the arts and my community’s representation within it—this was and continues to be a deeply personal endeavor. While it has helped me in the long run, your merit as a social media manager should ultimately be judged by your ability to effectively represent an organization or institution and align with its guiding mission—not by how you brand yourself personally.
Favorite piece of content you’ve ever created?
I coordinated a filming with Lin-Manuel Miranda in front of the portrait of Alexander Hamilton, where he had a conversation with a curator. This was in preparation for the National Portrait Gallery’s 2019 Portrait of a Nation Gala. It was such an iconic moment, and I feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of it. To date, it’s my favorite piece of content I’ve created, but I know The Met will bring plenty of opportunities for equally, if not more, extraordinary moments. The museum’s unparalleled collections and global influence open the door to content that can inspire and connect with audiences in ways I’ve only dreamed of.
