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Public history and heritage

Jobs in public history and heritage are focused on preserving and recognising the past. This sector is suited to those who like to apply academic interest in their field to a practical educational or commercial environment.

Typical jobs in this sector include:

  • .

Key skills that are useful in this sector include:

  • attention to detail
  • ability to explain complex concepts to non-specialists
  • an understanding of the commercial environment and context of your role
  • research skills, including those that help facilitate access to materials
  • a sincere interest in preserving material for future generations.

Contents

How to get a job

To prepare for a career in public history and heritage, you should research the sector carefully. You should also talk with people who are in the sector already.

Though academic achievement is crucial, work experience is an important requirement for gaining employment in this sector, and will help set you apart from other applicants. You can get this through volunteering and internships or placements.

The (ICON) offers and emerging professionals who are interested in conservation.

Make a connection

To connect with people already working in the sector, consider joining Saint Connect, the University of St Andrews’ exclusive, global, online community for networking and career mentoring.

You could also consider joining the , to connect with those with similar academic and career interests.

See more ideas for making a connection.

Volunteering

Voluntary work is a common route to gaining work experience in this sector, regardless of the size of the employer you would like to work for:

  • is a useful source for finding volunteering opportunities in general, as is the charity and voluntary work page.
  • offers volunteering opportunities in Scotland, as does the (the offers the same in England and Wales).
  • For museums, consider volunteering with .
    • In ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, the offers year-round opportunities for volunteers interested in any aspect of museums and heritage, while other opportunities are available with the museums of the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.
    • In Fife and Dundee, , and advertise opportunities. In Dundee, you can consider the , , and the .

Internships and placements

Internships are less common in this sector than in others. However, there are some, often unpaid, internships with larger organisations:

  • offers unpaid student placements and other kinds of work experience in their document services department.

Find internships (Careers Centre)

Finding a job

Check out our job listings for vacancies or see the resources below for jobs in the public history and heritage sector.

Find jobs (Careers Centre)

Jobs in the UK

Jobs outside the UK

Applying for a job

When applying for jobs in this sector, you can expect to do at least some of the following:

In addition, for some applications, you can expect to take psychometric tests or attend an assessment centre.

The application process for public history and heritage jobs may vary according to which organisation you are applying to. Research the organisation to understand the skills, competencies and values they are looking for. Also check the organisation's website, as many provide details on their recruitment and selection processes.

If you would like personalised help on any aspect of applying for a job, you can book an appointment with a careers adviser. â¶Ä¯

Applying for a job

Additional resource

  • (Heritage Futures)