Historian, people person, single mama -career advice! (San Jose, Santa Barbara: student loan, public schools)

[dzdaniel]

Hello everyone. I'm a single mother about to graduate from UCSB (Santa Barbara) with a BA in History. Originally I was going to pursue an MA in education with a teaching credential but now I am kind of exhausted and so ready to be done with school! If I go to grad school I will continue stacking up student loan debt and as it is, I am so tired of being broke (since I only work part-time). Besides, I love working with kids but was not really looking forward to the bureauracratic side of teaching in public schools.

So... any career ideas? I just thought I'd throw it out there because the wealth of collective experience cannot be underestimated. I've done some random google searches but one on one personal exchanges can still accomplish more than search engines sometimes.

About me - I love people more than anything else. I have a lot of administrative experience but I really don't like shuffling paper and sitting on my bum all day. I've looked up Park Ranger careers because I love being outdoors and moving around, but I think I might be a little lonely out there with the squirrels.

I love politics but I have quite a "personal history" and I don't want to be out in the public eye where I would be scrutinized (hee hee). I'd love to be involved somehow, maybe as an analyst or assistant to a politician or goverment branch. Hmm...


Here's some of the careers I know a little about or have already researched:
Archivist, Museum (something-something specialists :-) Librarian, etc.
I have civil service experience and was in the military... so I'm going to keep the USA Jobs in mind.

Anyone know how people get jobs in think tanks? I think it must be something you go through the University to get to and I really haven't networked in that direction...

Anyhow!! Any ideas would be helpful... just thought I'd give it a try! Ciao.

[kidcanaduh]

Many, many cities in LA are right now looking for Librarians. The job pays extremely well. 50 - 90k a year. You need your masters though.

[shanethree456]

I can understand the "burnout", I (too) am about to graduate with a Masters in history that has an option dealing with being an Archivist. The work is interesting, but the public history sector has been hit hard by funding going into the war(s). Best work would be with NARA, if they get their own funds back. You live near a major military Archivie at the Seabee Base, as you have a military background you might ask about part time work there to get more on you CV. There is a new library program at CSUN as a Masters. The next might be in San Jose CA.Shane

[harhar]

You can become a librarian in LA if you get your MLS (master of library of science) and possibly can get the job even before you complete the degree.

For think tank jobs, you'll most likely need a PhD with some experience.

However you can get a job at RAND for example, as a research assistant (entry level), and I'm sure you'll start from 29K-40K, and have a decent chance of moving up/obtaining contacts.

I would do the RAND thing or something like it, but the pay would be low (DOE). Especially for L.A. with a child.

Being a Librarian would pay well, but you might not work in the best of areas and deal with stuff not really in your job description.

Also you could try LACMA as they have some archival positions from time to time, however the pay might not be that well.

Try Law Firms. Some need "librarians" or glorified administrative assistants who also do some research and help find information.

Lastly, you can look at federal jobs, I forget the website off hand, but I'm sure there are a few jobs available especially ones that prefer military experience.

If you have trouble finding a job, try substitute teaching in the meantime to get your feet wet, and to make some money, during your search.

[edwardius]

Have you thought about applying for a fellowship in State Government?

Nathan Barakin is (was) the spokesman for Bill Lockyer. Hillary McLean was the spokesman for Governor Gray Davis and now for is the official spokewoman for State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell. What qualified both of these people for those positions was one of these fellowships.

Capital Fellows Programs

[SandyCo]

FYI, everyone, the original post is almost a year old.

[edwardius]

Good catch thank you!

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Guess she got scared off and never came back, unlike the rest of us that haven't found the exit yet, possibly don't have a life, or are just so addicted to City Data Forum that we don't care that we don't have a life.

[dzdaniel]

I'm still here people... I was kind of bummed that people stopped replying because I love hearing new ideas. It's been over a year but I'm still in limbo, so please feel free to share your ideas with me! Thanks.

[uptown_urbanist]

Look into a development (fundraising) job. You're not likely to get a museum or library job without an advanced degree (and I know plenty of historians/archivists/curators with degrees, extensive resumes, and oodles of professional contacts floating around LA right now looking for work of any kind), but development work is one of those fall-back jobs that often has many entry-level positions. I have a friend who just got a job doing donor research for a nonprofit: she didn't expect to put her (two!) advanced degrees researching living people, but hey, it's a job. It's a really bad time to be trying to raise money, but there are still development positions to be found. As someone starting low in the field you might actually be at an advantage in this economy; directors of development usually get big salaries, and some places are trying to get by with more or only lower level development staff who can at least keep things afloat. Once you prove yourself it's possible to move up quickly. It's a good fit for someone who likes people and research, and if you work in a nonprofit related to one of your interests (history, politics, whatever) you'll also get to work with others who share your interests, and get to feel good about what you're doing. If you want people-focused and not paper-focused there are jobs where people spend a lot of time schmoozing with donors.

National Park Service is a great career, but it's not easy to get a job, especially if you're staying local. And unfortunately California State Parks are not exactly in a good hiring position right now.