Thanks very much to everyone who reached out – I was very pleased to receive lots of responses from all over the country.

 

To sum up for the list, most of the sector seems to be in agreement that a PGDip will suit most archive professions, and that the full masters is only really necessary if you want to go down a more academic route, or you have a precise specialism. It is of course still possible to gain those things without a masters! It just appears to be the more obvious route.

 

Word of warning to fellow cash-strapped would be archivists of course is that while you can get a postgraduate loan for a masters, no such provision exists for a PGDip. So while cheaper in the long term, it does require short term upfront money.

 

Feeling warm and fuzzy at the kindness of everyone on the list for offering their advice, so thanks again to all and have a lovely week. I heard from several others in a similar position to myself, so don’t be afraid to get in touch if you want to share advice/woes!

 

Kind regards,

Jasmine

 

 

Good morning,

 

I apologise in advance if this is not a list appropriate query – but I wasn’t sure of the best route to go down for advice.

 

Known to my current employer, I would like to move beyond my current work in libraries and into archives. I am at a very early stage in my career, so flexible enough to move around. I currently work in copyright in a university library, but am on a fixed term contract and looking to make moves towards archives when my contract comes to an end.

 

I wanted to ask the list’s view on whether I should undertake a full masters postgrad in archives, or whether it is possible to move into the field with a PGDip or PGCert. The majority of job postings I have seen ask for a postgraduate qualification in archives, but rarely detail which level of qualification this is expected to be. I ask largely because the full masters is of course much more expensive than a lesser qualification. I would love to do the masters if I am able to fund it, but wanted to look at other options in the event I am not.

 

Any advice for someone at this stage in their career would be greatly appreciated, or indeed referral to a more appropriate forum for this kind of question!

 

Many thanks in advance,

Jasmine

 

 

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