Jumping Ship in Midstream
November 6, 2010 6:47 AM
Please give me your suggestions on putting my career skills to work in a more altruistic or public-serving way.
I have been working as a digital archivist/records manager at academic institutions for several years now. I love the process of bringing order out of a chaotic mess of knowledge and making it usable, but I have begun to really tire of the academic crowd. I've begun to feel the need to go out into the world and get my hands dirty, so to speak. I think I'm at that point in my career where it's time to try something really brave/stupid, and see if it sticks.
From time to time, I've volunteered in situations where I was able to use my technological and information-organizing skills to serve the community. Helping a local church manage the logistics of a huge hurricane relief effort, for example. I would love to do this sort or work full time. I am still devoted to history, but if I continue working with historical records, I want to be in a job that interacts with the public.
I have some money set aside, so more education is not out of the question. Nor is working overseas. I would be honored to serve my country in some way (the US), but my health precludes military service, unfortunately.
So hit me with your ideas!
I have been working as a digital archivist/records manager at academic institutions for several years now. I love the process of bringing order out of a chaotic mess of knowledge and making it usable, but I have begun to really tire of the academic crowd. I've begun to feel the need to go out into the world and get my hands dirty, so to speak. I think I'm at that point in my career where it's time to try something really brave/stupid, and see if it sticks.
From time to time, I've volunteered in situations where I was able to use my technological and information-organizing skills to serve the community. Helping a local church manage the logistics of a huge hurricane relief effort, for example. I would love to do this sort or work full time. I am still devoted to history, but if I continue working with historical records, I want to be in a job that interacts with the public.
I have some money set aside, so more education is not out of the question. Nor is working overseas. I would be honored to serve my country in some way (the US), but my health precludes military service, unfortunately.
So hit me with your ideas!
Call your United Way and ask where you might fit in. Also, a great place to start right where you are until you're ready to leave your current job is to get on a board. Let your local non-profit management center know you are interested. Get volunteering more so you can link up and get to know a non-profit you'd like to work with.
I've gotten several jobs by volunteering. You get connected with the whole non-profit community and will see lots of new opportunities.
posted by sleeping beauty at 12:29 PM on November 6, 2010
I've gotten several jobs by volunteering. You get connected with the whole non-profit community and will see lots of new opportunities.
posted by sleeping beauty at 12:29 PM on November 6, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ouke at 7:08 AM on November 6, 2010