I have applied for a number jobs for pre-qualified archive assistants but unfortunately, I have not been successful.
I am a History graduate but from 20 years ago. I have been unemployed for over two years but volunteered as a documentation assistant and archive assistant at four different museums, libraries and archives for months at a time since being unemployed. I also took a one year course in Cultural and Heritage Studies at a local college.
I immediately loved the work I did. I researched all I could about the career and professional qualifications. My application for a distance learning post-graduate course was accepted and, although sent in time, it 'fell between the cracks' and it was not processed in time for that in-take. I had a placement confirmed which I then lost as result of this. I felt very low indeed.
Apart from moaning a bit in this post about my lot (and sorry about that) I wondered if jobs advertised for unqualified archive assistants are primarily aimed at recent graduates rather than a middle-aged career changer like me? Although, I realise no organisation would ever admit to any type of bias I becoming aware that I am not the type of person they're looking for.
I live in Dublin, Ireland and the job market here in general, and in particular in this area, is extremely depressed. Most of the jobs I've applied for have been in the UK. I am fully prepared and very happy to move to find work. I wonder if there is a slight, possibly unmeaning, bias towards UK applicants rather than those from abroad. I do not think that I am being discriminated against directly at all, or in any way, but I think the jobs I've been able to apply for may actually be aimed younger and domestic applicants.
The ARA no longer has any placement opportunities listed for Ireland. I have found volunteer work by approaching organisations directly myself.
Another problem I've encountered is insurance concerns. Not all organisations willing to take on volunteers have insurance in place on an on-going basis and therefore, must seek separate arrangements. This can be off-putting to organisations due to the cost and time it takes for this to be arranged. I have found myself waiting 2-3 months for the go-ahead to actually begin working from the time I made initial enquiries. I notified the learning organisation I've applied to about the insurance issue and they were surprised by it.
I dearly love this work and was fully committed to pursuing a career as an Archivist but I wonder, given the many obstacles I face now (and will probably will face for a few years given the dismal economic growth projections), if I should simply give up? Maybe there are enough Archivists already given the jobs potentially available and I should be starkly realistic about my prospects.
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