Education and route in:
Graduated from the LSE in July 2008 where I studied History and International Relations.
Shahalom’s viewpoints:
Now is an exciting time to begin a career in this sector. With the onset of the digital age, the role and responsibility of Archivists is changing. It is no longer just about managing documents but also dealing with digital records. Archivists are at the forefront of digital preservation and are addressing increasingly complicated issues. There is an excellent work-life balance and opportunities across the country. The hours are pretty healthy, flexi-time is available and jobs are available in the public and private sectors.
I LOVE THAT I GET TO PICK AND CHOOSE MY WORK EXPERIENCES
I’m on a two-year scheme offered by the National Archives and UCL. I complete a paid work placement at The National Archives and go on to study an MA in Archives and Record Management at UCL. The scheme is offered annually and is open to graduates from underrepresented groups. Once I’ve completed the programme I hope to get a full-time job in the private sector, but I’d also like to gain more experience in the public sector.
The placement so far has been very enjoyable and I’ve worked in three departments. My tasks have including transcribing Home Office correspondence from the 1820s, cataloguing Chancery Pleadings from the 16th century and working on a webpage project to list details of relevant records for social scientists. On one memorable occasion I helped transfer a document worth $8 million, which a reader had discovered, relating to American independence.
One of the best things about the programme is its flexibility. There is no fixed schedule and I can choose what departments I’d like to work in and what experience I’d like to gain. As a result, the programme gives me a sense of control and I can tailor it to suit my career goals.
What’s next?
I will go on to study an MA in Archives and Record Management at UCL. But the experience here has fed my desire to learn more about digital information management and undertake further historical research.
Best bit about my job:
I don’t spend my entire day sitting at the desk. In the past two months I’ve spent time at the Camden Archives, participated in conferences on information resources on Asia and digital preservation. I hope to visit the Royal Asiatic Society and the Rothschild Archives to see their collections and on top of this I hope to spend time at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, the British Library and work at the Parliamentary Archives in Westminster