I can't comment on the mobility of the newly qualified but work I have done over the last 5 years with an annual postgraduate record keeping student questionnaire suggests that whilst the 20-25 age group is the biggest category, year in, year out (except
last year where 26-30 was), the majority of students are actually 26+.
A couple of other points;
* Rising student debt has forced many graduates to remain at the family home, with reduced financial ability to set up somewhere else
* Distance learning is an increasingly popular avenue in light of those student debts but those who go down this route are usually older and more fixed than those doing the full time option
* Record keeping graduate job expectations are shaped by the work experience and education they received, which is still heavily focused towards local government and higher education - two sectors that are not in any position to meet the demand for jobs anytime
soon.
There are ways that the domain can address the situation that doesn't rely on a shrugging of the shoulders and saying that is just the way it is. Hopefully ARA's new Careers & Workforce Reference Group / Standing Committee, set up the Members Services portfolio,
can look at this and start thinking the unthinkable with the postgraduate qualification, career entry and competency levels.
Yours,
Henry Sullivan
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:23:19 +0100
From:
[log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Fw: Re: Fw: Current Job Market - an observation re a current vacancy at The Women's Library
To:
[log in to unmask]
Well...if most or all candidates are not mobile, my argument wouldn't of course apply. I'm visualising people in their early 20s who haven't settled down yet - or am I guilty of stereotyping here?
I'm not deliberately trying to patronise anyone, and I'm sorry if it came across that way, but am trying to get the point across that you may not get that permanent dream archive job as soon as you might like...but new graduates
should try not to be discouraged by this (I know, that is easy to say when I am in a permanent job).
The current state of the job market isn't exactly fair on new graduates who have worked hard to get on courses and get qualified, but sadly that's the situation at the moment. We all wish it was not so. I'd argue that knowing
and accepting the situation, and adapting to what's available (at least for now), is better than developing a victim mentality and feeling that you've not got what you deserved?
You may well have to commute, and live somewhere you don't want to - at least to start with. I hated the places I lived in for my first couple of years with a passion (I won't say where they were!!) but told myself it wasn't
for ever. The main thing was I had a job in Information Management at all and could build on that starting point.
(And yes I was mobile and in my early 20s! Maybe from what 'The Poet' says the demographic has changed?)
Steve
Steven Davies
Archivist / Archifydd
Flintshire Record Office / Archifdy Sir y Fflint
Tel./Ffôn: (01244) 532414
Hello all,
This is another interesting thread. I'd like to know how many of 'us' qualifying archivists are truly mobile? By the time we're on a course like this we're probably in our thirties, by which time most of us have ties of one kind or another binding us to a place,
whether it's family or even just where we happen to choose to live for preference?
Yes, it's good to be mobile, but that's not always easy. Long commutes seem to be expected.
On Thu, Oct 14, 2010 at 9:43 AM, JON SHEPHERD <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
There does seem to be a somewhat patronising tone creeping in here (in my humble opinion). As you said yourself '(and still mobile) graduate' and 'that was in the (ha ha) "good times"'.
I take it you were still mobile and in your early twenties when you got your first job? Happy to be corrected though.
Jon Shepherd
Well...start at the bottom and work up! This sounds ideal for a newly qualified (and still mobile) graduate doesn't it?
My first job after qualifying was a 6 month contract in RM doing very basic work; then a one year contract in RM doing slight;y less basic stuff; then a permanent contract in RM doing 'real work',
then finally after a total of 6 and a half years, I got the permanent archive job I had always wanted.
And that was in the (ha ha) "good times" for the public sector.
Get whatever's going guys, and get the experience under your belts...this is not the time to be picky about semi-permanent or part-time jobs 'cause that's mostly what's on offer at the mo.
Apply. Apply. Apply. Be patient! Get experience! Don't give up!!
Steve
Steven Davies
Archivist / Archifydd
Flintshire Record Office / Archifdy Sir y Fflint
Tel./Ffôn: (01244) 532414
But as you said Teresa 'it's part time and a 12 month contract'.
Jon Shepherd
--- On Wed, 13/10/10, Teresa Doherty <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
From: Teresa Doherty <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Current Job Market - an observation re a current vacancy at The Women's Library
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Wednesday, 13 October, 2010, 13:27
Dear All
re the various discussions about the job market facing archivists, I am a little bemused by my current position as an employer.
A month ago I advertised a Librarian post here at TWL with a 2 week closing date. With 2 days to go I had 70 applicants (of which 7 were random unqualified/experienced chancers).
I am currently advertising an Archivist post which has had a 3 week closing date. With 2 days to go I have 8 applicants (of which 6 are chancers).
That's right! So far there are just 2 applicants I can consider.
Maybe there will be a deluge of applicants between now and the closing date of this Friday 15th October.....? Full details are below, it's part time and a 12 month contract, good post, good pay, wonderful collections, great professional development, close
to transport links in London..... roll up! roll up!
Teresa
Teresa Doherty wrote, On 12/10/2010 18:10:
> Just a reminder that the closing date is this Friday 15th October. This has also been advertised in ARC. By the way, men are encouraged to apply!
>
> Library Services (Special Collections) The Women’s Library at London Metropolitan University houses the most extensive collection of women’s history in the UK. In addition to the Reading Room, the library provides exhibitions, talks, events and an education
programme. In 2007 the collections were awarded Designated Status as being of national and international importance.
>
> Archivist Salary: pro-rata of £24,435 to £27,849 per annum (inclusive of London Weighting) Fixed-term for 1 year, Part-time (21 hours per week)
>
> We are seeking a qualified and enthusiastic Archivist who is able to undertake the full range of professional duties. You will focus on the management of the archives; from dealing with depositors and accessions, through cataloguing (using CALM) and preservation,
to provision of access in the Reading Room, in our online resources and in our events programmes. You will also have responsibility for archive volunteer projects and you will provide advice and support to users by contributing to the Library’s enquiry service.
All members of the Library team undertake evening and Saturday work as part of the Reading Room rota. You will have a first degree; a recognised postgraduate archive qualification and a good knowledge of collections management and documentation issues, including
professional cataloguing standards. Experience of working in an archive, library or similar institution is desirable, as is a demonstrable interest in women’s history, women’s studies. As the Archivist you will have opportunity to develop your skills across
a range of activities. It is an ideal position for an enthusiastic professional who can contribute to the work of the team.
>
> Closing date: 15 October 2010. For further details and to submit an application please log on to our website at
http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/staff/e-recruitment/ If you have a query please e-mail [log in to unmask] </cgi-bin/webadmin?LOGON=A2%3Dind1009%26L%3DARCHIVES-NRA%26F%3D%26S%3D%26P%3D156496>
quoting the reference number 10B0760. Please note we do not accept CVs. It is necessary to complete an online application form.
>
-- ________________________________________________________________
Teresa Doherty
Collections Manager
The Women's Library
London Metropolitan University
Old Castle Street
London E1 7NT
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t +44 (0)20 7320 3513 (direct)
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For our online catalogues see www.thewomenslibrary.ac.uk/catalogue and
www.thewomenslibrary.ac.uk/archivemuseumcatalogue
For Genesis, a resource for women's history maintained by The Women's Library, see
www.genesis.ac.uk
For the Women's Web Archiving Collection at the British Library see www.webarchive.org.uk/women
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