Calling any historians!

[Buddy80]

Hi,

My background is in law but after a time staying at home with the children, I am looking a new career.

I have always been really interested in modern history. I am really lucky that I can study for a history degree now and have the time to volunteer in the field.

However, I do think, that I will be 40 by the time I have completed the degree (yes, that old chesnut ) and it does make me stop and think would it be just a pipe dream?

Ultimately, I would like to lecture or research.

I would love to hear from any historians.

[Madcatgirl]

I'm in year 2 of my history degree, so following this post with interest, I'll be 37 when I'm done (doing this year over 2 academic years) and starting to think about what's next.

[Buddy80]

Hi Madcatgirl brilliant! Have sent you a PM.

[Buddy80]

Are there anymore of you out there?

Madcat and I would love to hear from you!

[Queenofknickers]

I have a history degree which I didn't really use - 20 years in financial services - had nervous breakdown and now want to do what I really love ie History!

[Buddy80]

Hi Queen

Which area of history are you interested in?

I worked in corp law but now have the (fortunate) chance to try a career in history.

[Hedgehog1977]

I have a history degree then I did a one year post grad in archival studies and now work in an archives, so I look after old manuscripts for a living. Love it (most of the time!). Have a lot of friends who did the same but with museum studies.

[Buddy80]

Thanks Hedghog your career sounds very interesting. It's great that there seems to be different careers open. Quick question...do most historians specialise once they have completed their masters? Or is it common to change roles?

[NapoleonsNose]

I got my History degree last year at the tender age of 41. I would love to do something that directly relates to my degree but am finding it hard to get into something that would utilise my skills. Considered teaching but the stress of a PGCE puts me off! I would love to do a postgrad but not sure our finances would stand it. Hedgehog's job sounds exactly what I'd want to do.

[Buddy80]

Hi Napoleon great to hear from you .

Congrats on getting your degree! Have you looked at funding for your postgrad?

I still have not chosen for definate but I will probably do some voluntary work in the field. Is that a possibility for you?

Is there a particular period of history that facinates you?

[Madcatgirl]

I had a job in mind when I began my degree and I found a paid internship in that role so I'm applying! Eek!

[Buddy80]

Good luck *Madcat". How long is the internship for?

[Madcatgirl]

12 months, paid!

[hugoagogo]

I graduated this summer and am older than napoleon (there is a history joke in there somewhere)

I too would like hedgehog's job, although going back to studying is less appealing. I may do it though, if and when I am kicked out of the library service to be replaced by all the lovely volunteers willing to do my job for free.

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

You'll have a better chance of getting a job if you can build on your previous experience as well as the new degree. Can you specialise in legal history? Even if you don't do that specifically, I would think there's quite a lot of research where a legal background would be useful. Jobs are incredibly hard to get either in universities or museums/archives, but if you can leverage your previous career in some way you might be able to make yourself stand out above the pack.

[Hedgehog1977]

There are jobs available like an archives or museums assistant, which you wouldn't need a professional qualification for. You'd probably need to get a bit of experience though by volunteering as they are quite hard to come by. X

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

Starting pre-qualification in a museum and then doing a MA or Museums Diploma by distance learning isn't a bad way to go, if you can manage to get a job in the first place. Better than chucking everything to do the MA full time and then finding you can't get a job because you're competing with hundreds of new graduates with a similar amount of experience to you.

[Buddy80]

TheCountess thank you for your post. Yours is very good advice. I am thinking of mixing history with another more practical course I am starting.

Oh, I don't doubt that jobs are very hard to come by in this field. You are quite right, it is about making yourself stand out.

[Buddy80]

Hedgehog thank you. Funnily enough, I am not looking to work in a museum at this stage . I know !

On the plus side, it's one less person competing for a job at a museum.