Well hello, Internet, I have missed you! I am sure you have forgotten all about little ol’ me. I am that dude that sometimes (like every 8 months or so) writes something about being a new archivist. As you may have noticed, I have been kinda blog-MIA lately. While I have been super busy, that has not been the only reason for my lack of posting. I have also been suffering from part blogger-block and part identity crisis. Well, a blogging identity crisis anyway.
You see, I just don’t feel that new anymore. Oh sure, I have only been out of grad school for a little over two years, and I know I have a lot, a ton, to learn about our complex profession. However, I have also recently found myself thinking a lot more about general archival questions than questions specific to just us new professionals. I think a lot of this is based on how rewarding I am finding my current job, and the fact that I am working on some complicated questions and treated as a colleague, not a newbie.
To be honest, this has made me feel a bit guilty about writing blog posts. Even though I mentioned earlier that I want to write about some wider issues, I was not sure what the reaction would be. “Who does this guy think he is,” I had you saying in my head. But, I had an epiphany while working on my presentation for SAA on internships. I realized that I was not viewing my presentation as one aimed at new professionals or students, but all archivists. Issues that face new archivists are issues that face the profession as a whole, and vice versa. So what is my problem?
So, I want to get back to writing on this blog. I find it so rewarding, and I miss it greatly. If something comes into my head, I am going to write about it and leave it up to you, readers, if you read it or not. That is what this is all about in the first place, right? I will also continue to write about challenges facing students and new professionals. In fact, in addition to presenting at SAA on the impacts and ethics of internships and unpaid labor, I am also part of a team working on getting your feedback on starting a SAA roundtable for new archivists. Please check our blog! And, as always, I encourage anyone and everyone to contact me if you are interested in writing a guest post.
Thank you for reading, and for sticking with me during my downtime.
*For you young’uns out there, the title of this post is in reference to this song. And, just as Sir Elton says, it is not referring to anyone in the audience, but me 🙂
New Archivist 
Does this mean that you are also outing yourself as @archivesbitch? Cause I didn’t have you pegged as one of the suspects, but if so, congrats on your success in bitchery!
And I hope you follow through and start blogging again. Maybe you’ll be an inspiration to me and I’ll get back into doing it more regularly too.
I wish I could take credit for @archivesbitch, but my bitch was based solely on Elton. And thanks for the support, I think we both need to get back to posting more regularly, although you are clearly keeping up the good work with your totally awesome Spontaneous Scholarships!
Great post! I can totally get behind that tone, heh. But then, I’m not a good role model. I go out for lunchtime walks with my iPod and find myself strolling along with nonchalant insolence. Maybe that’s just what working in DC does to me.
Welcome back. Will add your blog to my blogroll!
I’m also feeling the transition from newbie to professional, sounds like I got my degree about the same time as you. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head this time. We all face a lot of the same issues and questions, regardless of how long we have been in the field. And if you are willing to tackle them, then this is as good a place as any. I look forward to seeing what you come up with as we all grow in our chosen profession.