I am a psychology professor looking to get out of both teaching and psychology. After 4+ years of dodging layoffs, I can't be certain I'll even have a job at the end of the year. So I need to change careers as soon as possible, preferably to something more suited to my interests (I'm pretty burned out on teaching).
After working through a few career tests, I've discovered what I really want to do is become an archivist. I've been archival-type stuff most of my life -- collecting photos, tapes, movies. I was recording TV shows on audio before VCRs became widely available. I love collecting artifacts from the relatively recent past (1950s - 1970s primarily), and have to keep myself from buying too much stuff on eBay. My favorite website is InternetArchive.org. When I was a kid I would spend hours at various libraries digging out information about the quiz show scandals, the origins of the Ferris Wheel, various actors, etc. Hunting down articles or photos or other types of media is the greatest fun for me.
I'll continue to enjoy this as a hobby, but since I do need to find a new career, I was wondering if there was a way to make a living at this. I've looked at some of the archivist websites, and they all seem to say that you need a graduate degree in library science and/or archival studies. Unfortunately, this is not an option for me. I'm 56, I already have an advanced degree in psychology that I'm still paying off, and I just can't afford to go back to school right now.
Is there a way to get into this field without going back to school for yet another degree?