A Historian is someone who professionally researches, teaches and writes about past events to contribute to a shared understanding of how humankind has developed. Their duties include seeking out primary resources, interpreting documents and sharing hypotheses about the past.
Một Historian phải có khả năng hoàn thành nhiều nhiệm vụ và trách nhiệm khác nhau. Sau đây là một số nhiệm vụ và trách nhiệm mà một Historian phải có khả năng thực hiện:
- Research: Most Historians spend their careers performing research. The research compiles information from the past, supporting the Historian’s role in their place of employment. They create their own papers, books and write for historical journals. The Historian may also be contracted to conduct research for private individuals or businesses.
- Preserve artifacts and archive information: Historians may be involved with archiving documents and finds for access to those performing research. They can also work in a capacity where they could be preserving these artifacts for museums and private collections.
- Educate the public: While many Historians are employed with colleges and universities throughout the world, some are contracted with museums and historical sites. In each capacity, the Historian relays the significance of the document or artifact to the class or to the visitors, igniting an interest in the past and pieces associated with it.
Một Historian cạnh tranh sẽ có một số kỹ năng và trình độ nhất định, bao gồm:
- Attention to detail: The Historian should have a strong attention to detail in almost every capacity. Whether researching written documents or combing a private collection, the ability to note the slightest detail will enhance their research and uncover a more well-rounded story of the past.
- Determination: The dedication to the role and determination to see it through is important as a Historian. Many answers are difficult to find and can be buried in the past. Sticking to the goal and the determination to find the answers benefits the Historian and will help them to become a better researcher.
- Advanced communication skills: Whether teaching or presenting to museum-goers, the Historian should have strong communication skills. The ability to relay a thought and tell a story is integral in this role in both verbal and written capacities.
