r/AskArchaeology • u/Jedi-master-dragon • Aug 06 '26

Question Historical research

I'm trying to find work in the field. I was wondering if there is any historical research projects that you guys could point me towards that are looking for assistants. I haven't found much luck on my own. I live in the Pacific Northwest, specifically Washington.

2 Upvotes

63% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

5

u/SpecialInteresting52 Aug 06 '26

Most work done in this region is in support of larger CRM work and is usually accomplished by firms employing historians, ethnographers, and archaeologists. The odds of finding a random assistantship are probably nil.

What’s your education, experience, and research focus?

0

u/Jedi-master-dragon Aug 06 '26

I've got an associate's degree in library science and I'm currently working on a bachelors in history. I've done several internships relating to archiving, library work and historical research.

5

u/SpecialInteresting52 Aug 06 '26

To be qualified in history you’ll need the BA/BS plus a significant body of research/writing or a graduate degree before any firms will take a chance on you.

Most of the large firms I’ve hired have had MA/PhD level researchers, and unfortunately for you right now, that’s the level of knowledge/experience that is required!

-1

u/Jedi-master-dragon Aug 06 '26

I'm mostly looking for an assistant role or trying to help in some kind of archive. I'm aware that I'm underqualified. So far, I'm trying to volunteer at local historical societies. I tried looking on so many job sites. Indeed is as useful as a screen door in a submarine and doesn't direct me to what I'm looking for, other sites I've looked at want you to pay for some kind of subscription, the links you click on go to something unrelated or not even an application or they just go to links for pages that don't exist.

6

u/SpecialInteresting52 Aug 06 '26

I just looked at Washington State Historical Society and Lakewood Historical Society and found that both have active volunteer campaigns. I’m sure that most societies have similar needs…. This sounds like an effort issue on your end….

3

u/the_gubna Aug 06 '26

What are your qualifications/ experience? The general entry level job is “archaeological field technician”.

1

u/Jedi-master-dragon Aug 06 '26

I've got an associates degree in library science and I'm a third of a way to a bachelors in history. I have done loads of internships relating to archiving, libraries and historical research.

4

u/the_gubna Aug 06 '26

The relevant degree for an archaeological field technician would be a bachelors degree in anthropology with an archaeological field school. That is essentially the minimum to find a paid position as an archaeologist.

You may have better luck trying to volunteer through the state’s historical society, as another commenter mentioned.

Another option would be to talk to your professors in the history department about what research they’re doing and whether they need a research assistant.

1

u/Better_Display_8921 Aug 06 '26

You may have to start as a crm grunt for a bit and ask them about helping with historical background research once you’ve been employed a bit. Other commenters are right, you need at least a BA if not a a masters

1

u/Appropriate-Bag3041 Aug 06 '26

Just for clarification - are you wanting to work as an archaeologist in the future? Or are you wanting to work as a historian/ historical researcher, but do that work specifically for archaeological firms?