Hi all

I guess the only thing left to 'debate' is whether you went to Public School, Oxbridge or the Old School Tie your father wore. Of course these considerations would never impact on your employment prospects, we are a meritoractic, egalitarian society now; therefore things like gender, race, connections and background would never colour a potential employers' decision ;o)

Stephen

  
-----Original Message-----
From: Brass Paperclip <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
To: Brass Paperclip <[log in to unmask]>

Sent: 21/10/2010 6:17:19 a.m.
Subject: Re: Male spanner in the works re the job market debate



Okay, so I was going to sit on my hands and hope that this discussion would
fade out but seriously. . . Snarkiness, sniping, and now gender bias? Really?


People who go on to do post-graduate work in Archival Studies do so of their
own volition. We all go through the same expereince of looking for work,
selling our qualifications (and to an extent ourselves) and working our way up
the ladder. It can be wearying, frustrating, and full of heartache looking for
work. And ooh, do you really want to pity be pitied as the poor males in the
profession because they find themselves up against more women than men? Poor
men in archives, so sad for you to have one of few fields where you're
out-numbered. Of course, not getting a job has nothing to do with one's personal
demeanor, one's ability to sell themselvs or to self-promote. Rejection is
hard, no one likes having to queue up at the Job Centre, and yes, it does chafe
a bit when experience does not win out over the next ingenue but that is how it
goes. There are so many metaphors to mix and so many cliches I could type in
response to a huge amount of the whinging and sniveling I've heard on this list
of late.


I can only speak for myself about why I became an archivist (I'm nosy, am
addicted that smell of dust and acid-free boxes, knew from experience that
neither a corporate life or military career were for me) but I certainly knew
enough about the profession I was going into to know that the pay wouldn't
always be great, the commutes to some jobs would be worse than others, and
that there might not even be a job straight away after finishing my course.
But I also know that is true of a great many professions and that our
profession is far from unique in that respect. I have chosen to make the
compromises necessary to do so in my professional and personal life and can
only speak for and of my own experiences as an archivist. Yes, there appear to
be a rise in the number of people studying in the profession and yes, that
means there is going to be more competition for the work that is out there.
But no more so than in more conventional sectors. And yes, we're in the middle
of a recession. And yes, the belts will have to be worn a bit tighter this year
for those of us who are currently out of work or are looking to move into (or
even break into the profession). But, I have to agree with Rachel Hardiman:
after years of having too few of us in the profession, if we have to go through
a few years of waiting for even ground, then so be it.


Last time I checked, people go into the profession AFTER completeing a first
degree and know full-well what they are getting into. And if they don't know
full well, the information is there for them to do the research. They choose
to apply to the course (one assumes, knowing what the job market looks like)
and they choose to spend the money on pursuing their chosen vocation. The
profession makes no promises about there being space at table and nor should
it.


Respectfully
Brass Paperclip


________________________________
From: Alan Davies <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wed, 20 October, 2010 17:09:05
Subject: Male spanner in the works re the job market debate

Hello fellow disillusioned qualfied archivists (especially males),
 
Considering 70% of archivists are now women;
 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/nov/21/archivist-career-by-numbers
 
the inbalance between the bums on seats production line of archivists,
with declining chances of a job afterwards looks even more bleak for us poor
males!
 
After working as a museum curator for fifteen years, then six years in charge
of a local authority archive and deciding to have a change for a year or so
(three years ago) I have not been able to get back into the profession. I had
studied by distance learning at Liverpool.

 
I have had five interviews, and in all the posts women were appointed,
including one fresh off the archives course with no experience.
 
All I can say is that there are going to be a lot of back injuries in the world
of archives in future if male archivists decline in numbers. We do have our
uses!
Grim Up NorthContact the list owner for assistance at
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