Job Title
Archivist-Shenandoah County Library
Job Description
I work to "Collect, preserve, and share" the history of Shenandoah County Virginia by managing the Shenandoah County Library's local history collection held in their Shenandoah Room and Truban Archives. My job includes:
-Working with donors to grow the size of our collection and making these materials available to the public through conservation efforts, processing, and the creation of finding aids.
-Assisting individuals conducting research on their family's history, our community's history, and/or how our area's past connects with broader regional, state, and national stories.
-Educating the public about our institution and local history through programs, exhibits, digital platforms, and social media outreach.
Favorite thing about your job
Each day is a new adventure. I can start my morning processing a collection, transition to research assistance, and end with a social media post. I have the flexibility to complete projects that make a difference in the community and which have a positive impact on individuals as the opportunity presents itself.
Favorite thing about your experience in our MA program
The people of the App State Public History/History MA program are what makes it truly exceptional. The closeness of the student cohort and their willingness to support each other is second to none and facilitated my growth as a professional during my time in the program and afterward. This, combined with the faculty’s willingness to mentor me, to push me to excel beyond my comfort zone, and to focus on realistic, hands-on learning, gave me the ability to exceed in the field.
Any advice for future students
Take advantage of every opportunity the program and graduate school has to offer. While your time is a precious commodity, you need to seize on your chance to attend every activity, to attend every class, and to really go above and beyond what you think you can do so that when your time at Appalachian State is complete, you can say the program truly molded who you are as a person into the best possible history professional you can be.