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BWD1998 t1_iz0ov8d wrote

Reply to comment by zpool_scrub_aquarium in How did Native American tribes indigenous to Yellowstone National Park (e.g., Shoshone, Blackfeet, Crow, etc.) perceive the land (e.g., thoughts on geothermal activity) and what was their relationship like with white/European trappers and explorers entering the region in the early 1800s? by electricdresses

Is this a valid career path for people? I’m 25 and this is a huge passion for me, but I didn’t go to college for it or anything. But I do have a lot of knowledge on it. I’m wondering if I can turn it into a career

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nothalfasclever t1_iz0u9hj wrote

You might need to get a degree if you want to do some of the most interesting archival work, since a lot of those are funded by the government and/or prominent universities. It's absolutely a valid career path, though, and it's a deeply important one.

Most universities that offer a Master's of Library Science will have courses in digitization & archive management. If that's not a plausible path for you, there might be other ways to get the connections & experience you need- it's certainly worth investigating.

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banjo_hammer t1_iz1aewb wrote

This may seem obvious, but I would also add that these positions can be competitive, in the sense that there are more potential candidates than open jobs, so a degree would definitely be an advantage if not a requirement. Also, in my experience (mid-level universities), these jobs are sometimes grant-funded and project-based (read: only for a few years). Not all though, it depends on the institution.

I certainly don't want to be discouraging, but want to make sure folks know the potential entry barriers, which are sadly common in archival and library work.

Edit: It would be worth looking at potential jobs at historical societies and related non-profits to see what's out there and the qualifications needed

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Thecinnamingirl t1_iz1erbe wrote

If you want to do more advanced work, yes, you would want to pursue a degree. However, it's pretty common for museums and historical societies to have roles for digitization assistants that doesn't require a degree, so if OP wanted to try it out first, that would be a good start. Also, you can find MLS programs that allow you to do coursework in related fields. For example, one of my cohort at Indiana University Bloomington focused on informatics, but she also did a bunch of courses in anthropology (IU has a big anthro program), because part of her interest was in digitization of indigenous/native music.

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grandsatsuma t1_iz0pq2k wrote

If you can find someone to sponsor you then anything is a career path.

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_Apatosaurus_ t1_iz0vr7z wrote

It's a niche career, but absolutely possible. I think the best place to start with something like this is to contact someone from a local museum or university and ask if you can do an informational interview to learn more about their career path. Let them know your interest and that you are considering going back to school (whether that's true or not, it's a good way to make it clear you are not asking for a job).

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LouQuacious t1_iz17ttp wrote

There's internships in this, my wife did one for an oral history project gathering stories from survivors of India/Pakistan Partition.

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