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Is there anything you wish you were told about or knew about your job when you got it?

When heading into a history-focused career, were there things that didn't make sense that should have or that should've been explained better to students?

career college-advice career-advice history arthistory
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Brittany’s Answer

I studied Art History and graduated in 2012. In retrospect, I wish I had spent more time asking my professors for direct referrals to professionals in Art world. The practical applications of what I studied were not covered in my courses--so when looking for an opportunity or even a grad school program, I was a bit lost. I will also recommend that you be flexible with what success looks like post-grad. I struggled in NYC for years trying to get into an art history related profession that actually paid. Ultimately, I found a mentor that pushed me to expand my career search to just looking for smart folks to work for and with. That's how I ended up working for a Start Up and eventually, Microsoft. At first, I felt like I had "sold out", but to be honest, I see more art and am able to support artists more now than I would have ever been able to do if I stayed on the path I was on. I also still write about art, because I have time to do that.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for sharing your story! I'll be sure to keep in touch with professors in the future. Aurora
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Justin’s Answer

This job does not have to be your forever job. Spend time and invest yourself, but if it's not for you (after you've given it a shot) then it's okay to move on
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for the wise words-I'll keep that in mind! Aurora
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Samantha’s Answer

One of the biggest pieces of advice that I wish someone would have shared with me when entering the career world is to "Constantly expect change." Whether that be change in technology, change in structure, change in teams, change in industry, etc. no matter what the change is, change is constant.
And there are two things you can do about it:
1) You can become rigid and spiteful and do anything to avoid change. It may keep you a float doing the same thing you were doing day to day for a little while, but over time the only place this will get you is lack of respect, a negative brand, and a short life span to your career.
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2) You can embrace change and look at it for what it is meant to be: growth! If you go into a career already expecting that change will happen, you can be ahead of the game. Lean into professional development - learning new skills, stretching current skills, and being open minded. THAT is what will get you far.

It is no longer enough to be "good at your job" or to be an "expert in your space" - you have to be someone who can problem solve their way through change.

Samantha recommends the following next steps:

Look at how AI could potentially impact careers you are looking at and find ways to use that to your advantage!
Talk to people in careers you are interested in and ask them what change they had to endure
Showcase your ability to adapt to change and to grow on Linkedin and in your resume
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Jerry’s Answer

This was not a problem for me as one picks up things in classes both as an undergraduate and then on to graduate school. And there were certain professors that I deeply admired and one that I was his graduate teaching assistant. Learned a lot. So knew what I was going to do when I entered my first classroom as an instructor. Made many mistakes of course, but corrected and managed for forty-eight years.
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