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The First Mile Marker

Well, it hardly seems possible that it's been one year today . . . on my Mom & Dad's (dec.) wedding anniversary. . . that I set out to chronicle my research explorations. I'd like to give a special thanks to Julie Bartlett, archivist of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum, and of the Hampshire Local History Room at Forbes Library in my former hometown of Northampton, MA.

Following my relocation from Western MA to Western NC, I had shared with Julie my desire to one day become an archives tech, library tech, or public records clerk, and asked:
So, the big question is: without going back to school for a Master's degree, how can I best prepare myself to be marketable from what you see in the field?
This was her response:

This is so perfect for you so I hope it works out! The best advice is to volunteer. Sign up for Genealogy Random Acts of Kindness. Find out if you can get on a researcher for hire list at public, academic, state libraries and historical societies. Since you have a full time job with varying schedule, volunteering would be tough. Try for events or projects that don't have to keep to certain shift. Indexing is one that is always needed and can be done on your own schedule. Start going to library and archives conferences--state and regional ones. They usually have special rate for the unemployed which in Mass we define as a non-library job. Having a finished product such as an index or finding aid to show off at an interview is necessary. Does your family reunion group keep a website or blog that you contribute to? Maybe start a blog of all your genealogy research as a way to show off your skills? We recently interviewed someone for a reference job who had little experience but she kept a blog of what she read alone and with her kids proving her readers advisory would be fantastic and her writing skills were great. Of course, I would always be happy to give you a glowing reference for your research skills, knowledge of and love of genealogy, newspaper research, persistence, helpful, friendly, customer service attitude! I wish you all the best!
Thank you Julie for all your support over the years!
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Comments

  1. Root DiggerOctober 30, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    Happy Blogversary Day!!! YOur blog is excellent and I look forward to more posts of your research. Julia gave you excellent advice, and I know you are on your way!!! Look forward to Year #2!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Andrea KelleherOctober 30, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    Happy Blogversery to you! I have so enjoyed reading your posts and look forward to what is to come.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Debra Newton-CarterOctober 31, 2011 at 3:25 AM

    Thank you for your well-wishes Yvette and Andrea. Blogging has certainly helped me to focus. Year two is very promising as I work toward more well-defined goals. Thanks for following! I appreciate you as well!

    ReplyDelete

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