Some background:
Over the past 1.5 years I've been working as an archivist. This is major because I don't have a degree (usually you must). It is honestly the best-paying job I've ever had ($23/hour in a non-major city, which I know is not at all typical for the work type), and has allowed me to build a house outright. I live on family land, so I don't have rent or to pay utilities. Generally, my money is spent on my phone bill ($40/month) and paying for my/partners food for the month. The past has not been so kind, and I used to make a lot of bad financial decisions, but I have a savings account in my bank for the first time in my life. My situation is good for as long as our house doesn't burn down or something.
I recently gained a lifelong dream internship, for museum collections, in the local area. It has inspired me to try to go back to college. After all, my archival work is a contract position, and the work will eventually dry up. Paper is hecka boring to me. I wanted to use that experience to gain access into my real passion (museum collections). And I did.
...But now I'm thinking that I would must go back to college to get a Bachelor's degree in Art history and conservation or a Master's in Museum studies. I've spoken with many industry professionals, and it really boils down to the fact that as far as hire-ability, the lack of degree really ties their hands, even with thoroughly capable people.
Eventually I would like to have (an ultra specific focus) and work for a well-known museum overseas. I would like to learn the language. I would like to live there. That's a ten-year goal.
The rub: I already have $25,000 worth of federal college debt from a degree I don't use. I just recently got it out of default (past bad habits and all) and am doing really well with timely payments. My college of choice is about ~$14,456 USD per year. It would take at least 4 years to get a Bachelor's degree. Add two if I'm going for a Master's.
That would make the grand total ~$80,000 USD with my past debt included. Last time I attended college, I was a 17 year old girl from a bad family with little real world knowledge about my options concerning scholarships, aid, work-study programs (not offered by my first school), etc. My student advisor steered me towards what was best for their barely-accredited school, instead of working in my interest.
This time is different, as an adult student, but I'd like to be realistic.
It is the humanities, after all. At a federal institution (museum), a person in a collections specialist position makes ~$47,588 annually. A collections manager makes ~$78,230 annually.
Add to your knowledge that this is a hard industry to get in to. I hear it all the time. I've always been willing to humble myself, start from the bottom, and work up as opportunity arises.
Thank you for your thoughts!
Edit: Thank you so much for your advice about the Masters and pre-requisite options. It's a really confusing system, but apparently it's workable. I will also continue to pick the brains of professionals that I work with and around.
Submitted October 10, 2017 at 11:25AM by urinalcakewhatinthef http://ift.tt/2i1A1uI
