Hope me, AskMe! Career edition
January 10, 2011 11:09 AM Subscribe
Another one of those help-me-find-my-niche-and-survive-while-I'm-at-it questions. (Warning: long.)
I like history enough to think that I would love to work in it for the rest of my life. But I don't know how I'd go about establishing a career, or what part of it I would be suited for. I know all this should probably be obvious, but assume that I am a complete nincompoop and advise accordingly.
Here's what I like (and am good at, according to some):
- making history accessible to people
- researching people's lives
- reading about curious incidents, people and lives and telling others about them
- writing
- uncovering the typically hidden, obscured or ignored in history i.e. beyond the history that concerns itself with the victors and the privileged
Things I like the sounds of:
- archivist
- researcher
- research assistant/fact-checker, not only within an academic setting
I am currently trying to work my way through a major graduate qualification in history (but within the confines of a different field) but due to health concerns I'm on a year out. The very idea of going back is giving me a lot of anxiety, but it's more dealing with the hierarchy and feeling like a total idiot in front of everyone than the process of studying or writing. I think there's social anxiety in the mix too. I feel like an impostor there. It's not so bad when I'm reading and writing- although aforementioned issue has sort of robbed the focus- but I seem to sabotage myself when it comes to making good on things i.e. Big Important meetings, speaking in front of others.
This qualification typically leads to what you might call the tenure track, although that term isn't really used here. I have no interest in working my way up the ranks. Status holds no particular interest for me, and as long as I have enough money to survive and pursue a few hobbies, that is fine. I just want to write, read, research and be (largely) left alone.
I am committed to this course but am wondering what else I need to do to make myself a proper candidate that won't get laughed out of town for applying for archivist/researcher/general jobs.
There are a few issues here:
- How do I find my way into what I really want to do?
- What am I suited to do, given the above information?
- Is my qualification the right way of going about it?
- Am I being completely naive in wanting to work at something I care about? Should I just stay in my office job?
If you've made it this far, bless your patience. I'm sorry for how confusing and long-winded this sounds.
For context, I am based in Europe. This is anonymous as my current employers read Metafilter on occasion. If you would prefer not to disclose your comments publicly but are amenable my MeMailing you, that would be really appreciated.
I like history enough to think that I would love to work in it for the rest of my life. But I don't know how I'd go about establishing a career, or what part of it I would be suited for. I know all this should probably be obvious, but assume that I am a complete nincompoop and advise accordingly.
Here's what I like (and am good at, according to some):
- making history accessible to people
- researching people's lives
- reading about curious incidents, people and lives and telling others about them
- writing
- uncovering the typically hidden, obscured or ignored in history i.e. beyond the history that concerns itself with the victors and the privileged
Things I like the sounds of:
- archivist
- researcher
- research assistant/fact-checker, not only within an academic setting
I am currently trying to work my way through a major graduate qualification in history (but within the confines of a different field) but due to health concerns I'm on a year out. The very idea of going back is giving me a lot of anxiety, but it's more dealing with the hierarchy and feeling like a total idiot in front of everyone than the process of studying or writing. I think there's social anxiety in the mix too. I feel like an impostor there. It's not so bad when I'm reading and writing- although aforementioned issue has sort of robbed the focus- but I seem to sabotage myself when it comes to making good on things i.e. Big Important meetings, speaking in front of others.
This qualification typically leads to what you might call the tenure track, although that term isn't really used here. I have no interest in working my way up the ranks. Status holds no particular interest for me, and as long as I have enough money to survive and pursue a few hobbies, that is fine. I just want to write, read, research and be (largely) left alone.
I am committed to this course but am wondering what else I need to do to make myself a proper candidate that won't get laughed out of town for applying for archivist/researcher/general jobs.
There are a few issues here:
- How do I find my way into what I really want to do?
- What am I suited to do, given the above information?
- Is my qualification the right way of going about it?
- Am I being completely naive in wanting to work at something I care about? Should I just stay in my office job?
If you've made it this far, bless your patience. I'm sorry for how confusing and long-winded this sounds.
For context, I am based in Europe. This is anonymous as my current employers read Metafilter on occasion. If you would prefer not to disclose your comments publicly but are amenable my MeMailing you, that would be really appreciated.
It kinda sounds like you love history but either fear or dislike the necessary evils of being a career history academic. As a complete outsider, I'd recemmend either
a) get over your fears and learn the necessary political skills to enter and survive in a university history department. You could make a career out of history, but from what I hear it may be at the price of your soul?
b) since you say you like reseaching and making history accessible to people, become a history author but for a popular audience instead of an academic one. Find something else that will pay the bills, but spend your free time writing a popular biography of Tadeusz Kościuszko or something and trying to get it published. Every few years someone writes a timely biography or historical analysis that becomes a bestseller and they win the jackpot. It may never happen for you, but you'd be doing something you like without ruining it for yourself.
posted by bartleby at 1:18 PM on January 10, 2011
a) get over your fears and learn the necessary political skills to enter and survive in a university history department. You could make a career out of history, but from what I hear it may be at the price of your soul?
b) since you say you like reseaching and making history accessible to people, become a history author but for a popular audience instead of an academic one. Find something else that will pay the bills, but spend your free time writing a popular biography of Tadeusz Kościuszko or something and trying to get it published. Every few years someone writes a timely biography or historical analysis that becomes a bestseller and they win the jackpot. It may never happen for you, but you'd be doing something you like without ruining it for yourself.
posted by bartleby at 1:18 PM on January 10, 2011
Just answering the question about what else you are suited to do:
I have a friend who worked at a war memorial, and another at a local museum. Both of them spent most of their time "making history accessible to people" and learning about "curious incidents" or "the typically hidden, obscured or ignored in history" (in order to put on exhibitions, change around displays, run workshops etc).
posted by lollusc at 3:52 PM on January 10, 2011
I have a friend who worked at a war memorial, and another at a local museum. Both of them spent most of their time "making history accessible to people" and learning about "curious incidents" or "the typically hidden, obscured or ignored in history" (in order to put on exhibitions, change around displays, run workshops etc).
posted by lollusc at 3:52 PM on January 10, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Conventional wisdom, from what I understand, is that one should most definitely pursue a career that interests him/her. The way you find what you really want to do is pay attention to the aspects that you really enjoy doing, which it sounds like you already narrowed it down to archival/researcher.
Don't know your age, but you need to learn quickly that no one is going to pursue your interests but YOU! This is YOUR life. You should not worry about "being laughed at" for doing this. Try to work through the social anxiety part of it because if it's something you like to do and good at, then hold your head high! I think it's impressive and admirable when people are "good at history".
Not sure if this is the direction you're asking for, but have you considered something in the realm of library sciences? Certifications/degrees are offered in the U.S., not sure how that stands in Europe. Librarian/archival positions currently are definitely not the image of what we probably all had of them growing up!
And what about working in a governmental archival position? One way or the other, you should get your foot in the door at a place that would offer you to explore many realms of your interests. This might mean taking an internship or peanuts for paychecks in order to gain the best exposure and experience in your field. Even if you can volunteer for a few hours a week at an organization that you are interested in~~don't know of too many orgs that would deny free work from anyone.
Also, what about making an appointment and "interviewing" a person who is currently doing your "dream" position...ask them how they got there, what they love aabout it, what they don't love about it.
Hope this helps~ Good luck and be proud of your interests and accomplishments!
posted by foxhat10 at 12:35 PM on January 10, 2011