So you like History, but where can it take you?
This is the question the IW Branch of the Historical Association wanted to help answer at a new drop in session for students organised in Newport recently.
Lectures for students
We have a growing number of ‘A’ level students attending lectures – a fact we are enormously grateful and proud of – but it is almost entirely down to the efforts of a local history and classics teacher, who is also on our board.
We are additionally mindful of the need to support their subject areas and to that end we’ve asked the high schools what their subjects are with a view to trying for a few lectures that will support their study too.
What careers you can get into with a history degree
For most students choosing a degree there is pressure to pick a subject that will lead to a job and help pay off the student debt, but what is out there if you love History?
We offered a relaxed afternoon of tea, biscuits and chat with people who are working in heritage related jobs that they love. We hoped to offer volunteer connections, alongside ideas and inspiration.
Local bursary scheme
It was also a chance to promote a local bursary we have available here, for any Island student who wants to go on to university and study History, Archaeology, the Classics or any combination of those.
The money can go towards any costs associated with study from books to computer equipment and even travel. A recent recipient of the award Issac Lethridge, who is studying at Oxford, joined us to offer students his thoughts on applying to study his favourite topic and jobs too.
A wide variety of careers
The other professionals who came along, enjoy a wide variety of careers from county archaeology and archive management to public relations and even journalism.
We were lucky to be joined by a museum curator and conservator, a volunteer manager and an interpretation specialist.
Annual event
The afternoon was well received by all and it is hoped this will now be an annual event aimed at students aged 16 or over. It also taught us a great deal to about assumptions we make about the breadth of employment that can fall out of a degree in the arts.
It may sound daft, but we assume everyone knows what is meant by the title ‘curator’ or ‘archivist’ and jobs like ‘interpretation’. It was great to explain the hundreds of job skills required to conserve, explain and protect old buildings and their contents, and we have many of them on the Isle of Wight.
What students said
One commented,
“I realised that there are opportunities to volunteer here on the Isle of Wight, which will benefit my CV and personal statements and may even assist in the application to university.”
Another said,
”It was useful to meet a range of people/experts and good to have them available to talk to both on the day and in the future.”
Join the Historical Association
To join the Isle of Wight branch of the Historical Association (It is free to students!) or to find out more about the bursary, please contact Caroline Jacobs on [email protected] or 07988 171 708
News shared by Jacqueline, in her own words. Ed
