I am thinking about moving my career into the area of Historic Preservation. I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering and have worked in the corporate world (product development and CAD) for the last few years. I think I would like to work in the area of restoring and maintaining buildings and structures, or converting an old building to a new use. Stuff along those lines where I would still be able to use my engineering background.
So, do any dopers have any experience in this field? Can anyone recommend a university with a good graduate program that matches my interests? Is there anything I should do to increase my chances of getting into grad school or getting a job? Or do I even need to go back to school (mind you I have no expereince in this field, or even in construction), should I just start applying for jobs? How competivie is this field (the engineering part)? Is there anything I should know about the profession?
I’d appreciate any help or advice anyone can give me. Thank you in advance.
Histo Presto programs are usually contained in School of Planning or Architecture (it all depends on the school - my graduate program had a Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse track). You can contact the American Planning Association to learn more about the varioius Planning programs across the country and find one that’s close to you. You may want to take a course or two before you make any final choices.
The job search can be iffy. Most histo presto types work either in local government managing the review and permit process in historic districts, or for non-profits that actually own properties (the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Anitquities, for example). Most developers don’t have histo presto folks on board - they use their usual architects and engineers, who consult with the preservation-types in determining what can, or can’t, be done to a building.
Again, I’d contact the APA, who has a whole professional section devoted to this end of the profession. I can also give you the name of a couple of people who do this for a living. Email if you’d like their names (just put some sort of identifier in the subject line so it doesn’t get junked).
Thank you plnnr . I will send you an e-mail. Is there anyone else out there w/ some info?
Perhaps I wasn’t clear enough in my OP. I already am an engineer and want to work in the engineering part of Historic Preservation – such as Building Conservation/Rennovation. So, I could be the engineer on board and the “histo presto” consultant rolled into one. Or, at least, that’s my hope. Does anyone have any experience w/ that, or any tips on how to move from product development to this aea?
Again, thank you in advance to anyone who can help me out.
You engineering background will put you in good standing for the technical end of the job duties (what to do to keep the Truman balcony from falling off the White House, for example). You also have to be able to articulate why the particular building, site, etc. is worth saving or preserving in the first place. As I’ve had to say to more than one person who wanted a local government to support historic designation of a property, “Just because it is old doesn’t mean that it’s historic or worthy of preservation.” Sort of an anti-corollary to “Bad architecture and old whores gete more respectable with age.”
How are your political and diplomatic skills?
There are architectural and engineering firms that specialize in histo presto work, and you can find a partial listing of them in the professional directory at the back of “Planning” magazine (the quarterly magazine of the APA). You should be able to find bound copies of it at any good college library.
ryanbobo, my background is primarily in museums. I have an M.A. in Public History, and some friends who do historic preservation work. I respect and admire folks who work in the field.
However, given the current economic climate, I wouldn’t switch careers. If you do, be prepared to take a hefty paycut. Most non-profits and government agencies are cutting their budgets, many fairly severely. Do you have a family to support? Could you current lifestyle sustain a big whack in the bank account?
If you’re seriously interested, I’d start by trying to get on the board of a non-profit that does historic preservation. It would give you a chance to get your feet wet without wholeheartedly committing?
I know that Goucher College offers a degree in Historic Preservation, and I believe the University of North Carolina at Greensboro does as well.