Where Historians Work: Q&A with Dr. Stephanie Gamble, Johns Hopkins University

July 20, 2017 By Katy Lasdow in Special Features, Where Historians Work Tags: Archives, faculty, Graduate students, job search, libraries, museums, Public History, resumes, undergraduates Leave a comment

“In addition to finding the things I wanted to do or didn’t want to do [for a career], there were parts of being an academic that I was unwilling to give up, and those were just as important.” ~ Dr. Stephanie Gamble, Librarian for History & Anthropology, Sheridan Libraries, Johns Hopkins University.

Today, Katy talks to Dr. Stephanie Gamble, Librarian for History and Anthropology in the Sheridan Libraries at Johns Hopkins University. Steph explains the wide range of responsibilities she undertakes as a librarian supporting the studies and efforts of both students and faculty. She also offers some tips for turning your CV into a resume . . . or, what she likes to call a “CV-ume.” Continue reading →

Where Historians Work: Q&A with Alea Henle of Western New Mexico University

July 13, 2017 By Katy Lasdow in Public History, Special Features, Where Historians Work Tags: Archives, blogs, career diversity, Historical societies, interviews, jobs, libraries, scholarship Leave a comment

“It doesn’t hurt to have some self-knowledge about what works for you [and] what kind of environment works for you.” ~ Dr. Alea Henle, Head of Public Services Librarian, Western New Mexico University.

henle image Welcome back to “Where Historians Work: The View from Early America!” This week Katy chats with Dr. Alea Henle, Head of Public Services Librarian at the J. Cloyd Miller Library at Western New Mexico University. The pair discuss the importance of “knowing your audience” as a historian and “self-knowledge” when it comes to thinking about next steps for a career. Continue reading →

Where Historians Work: Q&A with Anne Petersen of Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation

July 6, 2017 By Katy Lasdow in Public History, Where Historians Work Tags: architecture, chinese america, food history, historic preservation, jobs, museums, Public History, SBTHP, Spanish America, Theater Leave a comment

“I went on to the doctorate because I didn’t want a ceiling on what I could achieve as a historian.” ~ Dr. Anne Petersen, Executive Director, Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation

Welcome back to the latest installment of “Where Historians Work: The View from Early America.” Today, we venture westward to California to feature a Q&A with Dr. Anne Petersen, the Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation. Katy and Anne discuss the dynamic history interpretation taking place at SBTHP, which focuses on the diverse cultures and communities that have called Santa Barbara home for centuries. The pair also consider the complexities of navigating a “dual identity” in graduate school when choosing to pursue an array of history careers. Continue reading →

Where Historians Work: Q&A with David Gary of the American Philosophical Society

June 29, 2017 By Katy Lasdow in From the Archives, Interview, Special Features, Where Historians Work Tags: American Philosophical Society, curation, library science, Print Culture, teaching Leave a comment

“During graduate school, you have to be very focused on a topic. But in libraries you’re a generalist in many ways. In all the jobs I’ve had, I’ve had to learn new skills and topics.” ~ Dr. David Gary, the American Philosophical Society

Good morning, Junto readers! As we head into July 4th weekend, what better city to visit than Philadelphia? Today, we discuss the exciting intellectual opportunities that accompany the curation of printed collections, with Dr. David Gary, Curator of Printed Materials at the American Philosophical Society.

Dave’s story highlights the vibrancy and variety of the history profession, as well as the many paths scholars can take, both during and after graduate school, to find themselves in fulfilling occupations. Continue reading →

Where Historians Work: Q&A with Margaret Bendroth of the Congregational Library and Archives

June 23, 2017 By Katy Lasdow in From the Archives, Public History, Special Features, Where Historians Work Tags: Archives, career diversity, congregational archives, libraries, religious history 1 Comment

“I’ve learned so much about how historians talk to the general public … If you tell a good story you can get people to hang in and keep listening.” ~ Dr. Margaret Bendroth, Executive Director of the Congregational Library & Archives.

For today’s “Where Historians Work: The View from Early America,” Katy chats with Dr. Margaret Bendroth, the Executive Director of the Congregational Library & Archives in Boston, Massachusetts. They discuss the importance of story telling and having an “entrepreneurial” frame of mind, when it comes to a vibrant career in history.

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Where Historians Work: Q&A with Valerie Paley of N-YHS

June 20, 2017 By Katy Lasdow in Interview, Public History, Roundtables, Special Features, Where Historians Work Tags: Interview, museums, New-York Historical Society, Public History, Where Historians Work, women's history 1 Comment

“The work I do is true to our training [as historians] and representative of what that training can be for the public.” ~ Dr. Valerie Paley, Vice President, Chief Historian, and Director of the Center for Women’s History at New-York Historical Society.

VALERIE PALEY 2015 (1) After a brief break to make room for the fantastic “Founding Fiction” roundtable series about children’s and young adult literature, “Where Historians Work: The View from Early America” is back! We’re excited to feature two interviews today and tomorrow.

Today, we bring you a conversation between The Junto’s Katy Lasdow and Dr. Valerie Paley, Vice President, Chief Historian, and Director of the Center for Women’s History at New-York Historical Society. Continue reading →

Where Historians Work: Q&A with Kenneth Minkema of the Jonathan Edwards Center

June 1, 2017 By Katy Lasdow in Public History, Special Features, Where Historians Work Tags: alt-ac, Alternate careers, career diversity, Jonathan Edwards, Public History, religion, Where Historians Work, Yale University 2 Comments

“The search for gainful employment drives a willingness to be diverse in your ways of being a historian.” ~ Dr. Kenneth P. Minkema, The Jonathan Edwards Center, Yale University.

For this week’s “Where Historians Work: The View from Early America,” The Junto features a Q&A with Dr. Kenneth P. Minkema, the Executive Editor of The Works of Jonathan Edwards, and the Executive Director of The Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University. Dr. Minkema is also a member of the Research Faculty at the Yale Divinity School.

In today’s Q&A, Katy and Ken chat about many topics, including the role that mentors and advisors can play in shaping career choices in graduate school and beyond, and how finding the right “fit” or “vocation” can be a true source of professional inspiration and purpose. Continue reading →

Where Historians Work: Q&A with Emily Swafford of the AHA

May 25, 2017 By Katy Lasdow in Interview, Public History, Where Historians Work Tags: alt-ac, Alternate careers, American Historical Association, careers, Historical Profession, Job Market, jobs, resources, Where Historians Work 1 Comment

Denver_Swafford_square200x200 Welcome to the first installment of our “Where Historians Work: The View from Early America” series. Today, The Junto features a Q&A between Katy Lasdow and Dr. Emily Swafford, Manager of Academic Affairs for the American Historical Association in Washington, D.C.[1] Emily shares her experiences seeking out varied career options after graduate school. She also provides AHA resources for readers who wish to become more involved in the conversation about career diversity, whether as part of their own job searches, or within their graduate history departments.
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Where Historians Work: The View from Early America — Welcome to the Series!

May 24, 2017 By Katy Lasdow in Public History, Special Features, Where Historians Work Tags: advice, alt-ac, Alternate careers, American Historical Association, Archives, career diversity, curation, historic preservation, Historical Profession, jobs, libraries, museums, Opinion 5 Comments

PhD graphic In February 2017, The Junto sent out a call to historians working outside the professoriate to join us in a conversation about career diversity for early American history PhDs.[1] The response was exciting and full of interesting conversations with curators, scholars, archivists, librarians, and public historians who have chosen to pursue their passion for research, writing, and teaching in a variety of settings and occupations.

Starting tomorrow, and over the coming weeks, The Junto will feature Q&A’s between Columbia University PhD candidate and Public Historian Katy Lasdow, and a range of participants.

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Reminder to join the conversation “Where Historians Work: A View from Early America”

February 8, 2017 By Katy Lasdow in Academia, Public History, Where Historians Work Tags: AHA, Alternate careers, Job Market, Opinion, Public History Leave a comment

Do you hold a PhD in early American history/literature/architectural history/art history/etc. or a related field, and have you chosen a career outside of the professoriate? The Junto wants to hear from you! There’s still time to participate in our conversation, “Where Historians Work: A View from Early America.”

Leave your stories in the comments of this post. Or, if you would prefer a less public forum, you may email The Junto (thejuntoblog@gmail.com) with the subject line “Career Diversity.” Please post comments or email by Friday, February 17. Continue reading →