Here’s the deal: My gf and I are living in Nunavut to save up a bunch of money and then we’d like to be able to move…wherever. My career (lab tech) is pretty portable internationally and she’s looking for something that is likewise portable. She has an art history degree with good enough marks to pretty much get into whatever grad program she wants (so long as we can afford it). She really likes researching things/academic stuff and is contemplating a masters in library science. We’re looking for suggestions as to what she might be able to study in order to get an ‘in-demand’ career. She has experience working in art galleries and with a film commission.
So what do you guys think?
Love,
Nunavut Boy
How about a research librarian at a college or university Library?
Research librarian would probably something she would like. What qualifications does you need for that?
Also, suggestions about jobs that are only tangentially related to the OP are welcome…she’s starting to feel like a hopeless case since we’re getting so few responses!
Well, I know nothing about that career, but I know we have some librarians here on the dope. Maybe they will pop in to give some advice.
I’m not sure librarians are “in demand”. They might be in 10 years or so as the average age seems to be in the 50’s, but right now it isn’t easy to get a good library job in a desirable location.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you can’t escape doing what you love as a career… picking out one for money hardly ever works. What does your GF love, and what does she love doing?
Clarification: the examples you gave sound rather like “job” oriented tasks she might love. What does she love that isn’t related to work at all?
She likes:
-painting/art
-working out/fitness
-fashion
-home decorating
-drinking expensive coffee
-Working independently
-Travel
She dislikes:
-Public speaking
-Working under pressure/feeling harassed
-Math
What about something along the personal trainer/ fitness instructor/ physical therapist line?
Depending on if you plan on living in urban areas…
An art conservator could be a viable career option. If she does, she may have to challenge her math phobia as some of the material is fairly science intensive, but not in the “solve this quantum effect” thing. She will have to learn how to measure and interpret things like light intensity, pH, humidity and such. The formulas are well etsablished and all she needs to be able to do is measure and plug in data. If she likes shows like CSI she will like this sort of thing… Coupled with her art history background (assuming knowledge of materials/techniques used by various artists in various times and places) she may actually enjoy the process of preserving art’s physical history for future enjoyment and interpretation.
I will close with a conservator joke.
How many Conservators does it take to change a lightbulb?
NONE! Light Levels were “Way too high already!”
regards
FML
She’s already looked at art conservation and decided it’s not for her. When I asked why she told me that in high school her intro chemistry teacher told her “your paintings are lovely, you should focus on that. I’ll pass you if you promise not to take any more chemistry classes”. She is smart enough to maintain an A+ average in art history at U Vic, but somehow cannot process science/math. I just looked at the requirements for art conservation at Queens (apparently the only place in Canada with an art conservation degree) and a year of regular chem plus organic chem are required. Even with me helping (those are some of my favorite classes, there) she doesn’t like that idea. She’s picky, I know. We appreciate all the suggestions so far though, keep 'em coming!