The following reasons are why I chose genealogy for a career...
1. Job Flexibility: As a genealogist I can be my own boss, or I can work for other companies. I can (a.) work from home, (b.) start my own business, and/or (c.) work for other employers. For a list of job opportunities available to genealogists, please click here and read the article "What Professions are available for Genealogists."
2. Income: Genealogists usually start out making $20-25 an hour. Although, the most sought after genealogists have made $50-100 per hour. It might not pay as well as being a doctor, but it's far above minimum wage!
3. The Price of becoming a Professional: To become a professional, one must pass the requirements given by one of two different organizations, ICAPGen or the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG). Both facilities are similar, however, neither require degrees in order to become a professional. However, their methods of testing are rigorous and will weed out the hobbyist from the professional.
According to Sister Jensen (who oversees a major portion of the Family History Library in Riverton, Utah), accreditation from ICAPGen is the "equivalent of a Masters Degree." She even expounded that employers are more willing to hire an Accredited Genealogist with no degree over an unaccredited genealogist with a degree any day of the week. Jensen said she had seen this happen many times.
In other words, I can pay as much,or as little, as I want for my education in order to accomplish my goals. At the current rate, I will become a professional with no debt and for the price of a college certificate. How many other careers provide that?
4. Education Flexibility: I can choose the educational methods I want in order to accomplish my goals. College and formal education are not requirements for testing at ICAPGen or the BCG. If I wanted, I could just learn on my own until I was ready for testing. I could watch webinars, join historical and genealogical organizations, and/or take classes (credit or non-credit from colleges and/or other organizations). If I wanted I could get a degree, a certificate, or neither. I choose the right path for me. (Although I have not verified this, I heard from a credible source that BYU has done away with genealogical degrees, but their student's may get genealogical minors with their degrees.)
(NOTE: a similar post can be found in the "About" section of my website.)
1. Job Flexibility: As a genealogist I can be my own boss, or I can work for other companies. I can (a.) work from home, (b.) start my own business, and/or (c.) work for other employers. For a list of job opportunities available to genealogists, please click here and read the article "What Professions are available for Genealogists."
2. Income: Genealogists usually start out making $20-25 an hour. Although, the most sought after genealogists have made $50-100 per hour. It might not pay as well as being a doctor, but it's far above minimum wage!
3. The Price of becoming a Professional: To become a professional, one must pass the requirements given by one of two different organizations, ICAPGen or the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG). Both facilities are similar, however, neither require degrees in order to become a professional. However, their methods of testing are rigorous and will weed out the hobbyist from the professional.
According to Sister Jensen (who oversees a major portion of the Family History Library in Riverton, Utah), accreditation from ICAPGen is the "equivalent of a Masters Degree." She even expounded that employers are more willing to hire an Accredited Genealogist with no degree over an unaccredited genealogist with a degree any day of the week. Jensen said she had seen this happen many times.
In other words, I can pay as much,or as little, as I want for my education in order to accomplish my goals. At the current rate, I will become a professional with no debt and for the price of a college certificate. How many other careers provide that?
4. Education Flexibility: I can choose the educational methods I want in order to accomplish my goals. College and formal education are not requirements for testing at ICAPGen or the BCG. If I wanted, I could just learn on my own until I was ready for testing. I could watch webinars, join historical and genealogical organizations, and/or take classes (credit or non-credit from colleges and/or other organizations). If I wanted I could get a degree, a certificate, or neither. I choose the right path for me. (Although I have not verified this, I heard from a credible source that BYU has done away with genealogical degrees, but their student's may get genealogical minors with their degrees.)
(NOTE: a similar post can be found in the "About" section of my website.)