Careers in Genealogy: Charting Your Own Course

Part two of the Genea-opportunities discussion series focuses on careers in genealogy. Yes, people actually get paid to do this. Here's the sounding point from Geneabloggers:

We'll discuss the "traditional" genealogy careers and look at some genealogists and family historians who are thinking "outside the genealogy charts" to carve out their own career path.

Here's my story: in library school I took the special libraries track, studying all the things necessary to run a library in a company or other organization. When I moved to Houston, I did some paid and volunteer work for a non-profit as well as some independent research stuff. I found AIIP and others like me who ran their own research businesses. While doing general research for people, I realized that I enjoyed genealogy more. Even though it pays less, I decided to make what I thought was a lateral transition from one subject to another. Boy was I wrong. There is no neatly marked trail and you must alter your expectations and adapt to the conditions should you decide to tread this path. This leads to my first point:

There is no such thing as a traditional genealogy career. There are just too many facets, and one facet alone won't pay the bills. "Because you like the hunt" is not enough. You have to be proficient in several areas. Naturally, you have to have knowledge in a certain aspect of genealogy be it location, language or something else which you acquire through classes and hands-on experience. On top of the "looking-stuff-up" part, you need the latest information on running a business, new research tools, updates in the world of archives, marketing opportunities, etc. You may also need to speak or write in order to supplement the research income, thus needing resources in those areas as well. This leads me to my second point:

It's difficult to find information on the field of professional genealogy in the field of professional genealogy. Hopefully I can eat these words in the future, but as it stands there is little information out there on how to run a "genealogy business." Bigger societies of note provide links to other resources, but there is no consistently published content on business issues. The book Professional Genealogy (affiliate link) is in need of an update that brings technology into the fold, though I still highly recommend it and the unaffiliated ProGen Study Group offshoot. Genealogy business events and meetings are sparse and inaccessible for most. Webinars are becoming more prominent in other facets of genealogy except the professional part. This leads me to my third point:

Sometimes you need to leave the Small Town of Genealogy to take the steps to Big City Success.
Some of the better resources for running a genealogy-based business are found in other areas that have nothing to do with genealogy. Seek information outside this subject and it will really help you inside this subject.

Use the resources of the Small Business Administration to draw up a business plan. Don't fudge on this task, either. Once you have a plan your path becomes smoother.

Study how other independent researchers in various subjects highlight their businesses. Join in on discussion to see how they handle customer issues, support issues, etc. 

See how local small and one-person businesses market their services. Even if your customer base isn't where you live, this sample will give you some ideas that are outside the traditional genealogy box. 

Read some textbooks about research and information. No, really. Genealogy research is just a piece of the information pie. When you understand how content is created, organized and stored, you can tackle research problems quicker and with more accuracy. You will also see that some of the best genealogy information is actually outside the genealogy radar. Some people will scoff at this, which leads to my fourth point:

The professional genealogy field can be a mean friend sometimes. I've been openly laughed at for my approach to genealogy research, and don't even get me started on the email discussion lists. The point is that you have to be confident and believe in your abilities. There are many professionals in various aspects of genealogy who are working "off the charts" with creative approaches to their craft. Go forth and find them. They are wonderful people. This leads me to my fifth point:

Changes to professional genealogy are coming and we have front-row seats. New and innovative ideas are popping up all over the place and they're gaining support in significant numbers. There's going to be a tipping point eventually. But even if that happens and the flood gates open spewing copious amounts of practical information you still have to keep one thing in mind, which leads to my sixth point:

The path to becoming a professional genealogist starts with you.

If you have an interest in exploring genealogy as a profession, do not sit back and wait for ABC or XYZ conference to offer up some classes. Tell your society you're interested in certain subjects, but don't delay your own learning while they get the courses together (assuming they even decide to do so). Owners of other small business don't wait around for education to fall out of the sky. They either go find the information they need or learn by doing. Clueless about marketing? Find the facts to fill that information gap. Want to improve your report writing skills? Scour the BCG website and practice what they preach. If you have no clue where to start, ask a colleague for advice. Whatever it is you want, it is up to you to go out there and get it. Believe in yourself. This leads to my seventh point:

It's ok to forge your own genealogy path. This is how you find your professional identity. 

A big THANK YOU to all who have read this far. This is my opinion and experience. In order to make my way, I've had to do things differently than the current fuzzy definition of professional genealogy. No two stories are the same. This one is mine.

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