[VM1138]

My wife and I just found out we're going to have a baby next year, which is great, exciting news. But it also means my dream of leaving Michigan and finding work in the historical field is pretty much on hold for now. I haven't had much luck (had opportunities in DC I had to turn down due to low pay, plans to move to Ohio fell through as well) so now I'm looking around Michigan, where I'm highly unlikely to find a job.

But I don't think I've ever asked for this forum's help before. Do any of you know of any firms or companies or non-profits that hire historians in Michigan? I have an M.A. in History and also a B.S. in Poly Sci. Any sort of entry-level research, policy analyst, political liason, historical or genealogical research, museum interpreter, writing, etc. jobs? I'm not finding much online, but of course not every job gets posted on the Internet. I also have some experience volunteering in museums and archives and would like that kind of work.

I had planned on pursuing my Ph.D if I could get funding somewhere, but it appears things are getting worse in the field in that regard, and either way it won't help my immediate situation.

Right now I'm working full-time retail that pays me just enough to not let me quit and seek other jobs, but not enough to really live comfortably or pay off debt, and I hate the job to boot. It's a waste of my talents and a soul-sucking experience. I'm seeking a change to escape the retail field, but thanks to it I do have that all-valuable customer service experience as well.

[zthatzmanz28]

Have you tried the state of Michigan?

[canudigit]

You don't say what part of Michigan you live in, but if you live in the Detroit Metro area or remotely near it, The Henry Ford in Dearborn has some part-time/seasonal positions posted for an exhibit specialist and a historical presenter. I realize you probably aren't looking for something that is part-time or seasonal, but if you could maybe do that and then work only part-time in retail it might get your foot in the door for when something at The Henry Ford opens up full-time. Or maybe if you contacted them and sent them your resume' they would have something that just isn't posted on their website yet.

Job Postings

IDK if this helps, but I hope so. THF is such an awesome place!

[danielj72]

The State of Michigan does have paid historians at the state history museum in Lansing and at several off site locations like the mining museum in Marquette area, Mackinaw, the indian petroglyphs in the thumb area etc. What about the Frenchtown battlefield in Monroe??? that was just made a federal historical site I believe. Canudigit prob has the best suggestion with Henry Ford in the Detroit area, I know they always have some jobs available for those with a history background. I sympathize with the OP, I know jobs in the social sciences are tough to come by.

[canudigit]

Here's one I found on the Michigan Works! Talent Bank page. It's for an executive director of a museum in Alpena:

https://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/p...iew_type=PRINT

I had never heard of this museum, but it sounds nice:

Besser Museum of Northeast Michigan

I don't know if Alpena is remotely a possibility for you, but it's a full-time job.

Here's another one, and it says at the top of the page that it's full-time, but if you read through the job description it says it's a 24 hour/week part-time position. It's for a registrar's position at the Cranbrook Museum in Bloomfield Hills:

https://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/p...iew_type=PRINT

[Coldjensens]

Insurance adjuster?

[mostie]

Is there a possibility you could get a teaching credential and maybe teach?

[danielj72]

Originally Posted by mostie

Is there a possibility you could get a teaching credential and maybe teach?

Teaching is a very very tough market in Michigan these days. Many holding teaching degrees are leaving the state to find work these days. Teaching history is even tougher, many many people have teaching certificates and history majors.

[mostie]

I meant more along online teaching, like an adjunct instructor to one of the kazillion (lol) online schools.

[VM1138]

Sorry for not responding sooner, it's been a busy few days.

I have already tried the Henry Ford. I applied for the same position relating to exhibits at other museums and got call-backs with it, but ultimately the long-distance move for a part-time job wasn't in the cards. For some reason THF wasn't interested in that same resume that interested the other two facilities that responded.

Teaching was something I considered for a while, but I haven't been able to find any history teaching positions, and the job market seems to be getting worse. I keep seeing and hearing about history teachers losing their jobs and being replaced by science and English teachers.

Online teaching as well interested me, but they seem to all require a Ph.D, probably in an attempt to bolster their credentials. Unless you happen to know of any in particular, I know Phoenix and American Public University require Ph.D's.

Thanks for the input, everyone. I'm not sure I'm qualified to be an Executive Director for an entry-level job, but it's worth looking into at least.

And I did see the last Michigan job opening for the mining museum in the UP, but unfortunately I followed a link online and it was past the deadline to apply. Haven't seen a new one since, but I keep my eyes open.

Again, I appreciate everyone's help and am going to follow some of them up.