Finding Fulfillment as a Federal Historian

Every day at work, I teach, research, and write history. My drive to the office takes me through the solemn, grave-filled sections of Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), where I serve as senior historian. I often drive past a funeral or see a grave covered in fresh flowers. Each time, I reflect on the mix of feelings aroused within me—sadness, for the loss of life being remembered, and gratitude, that I have the privilege to work at ANC.

Allison S. Finkelstein discusses ANC history with French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron after their visit to the grave of Pierre L’Enfant. Elizabeth Fraser/US Army/public domain

This position is a dream job. Though the federal government may not be the first employer public historians think of, jobs like mine can be a fulfilling, exhilarating, and constantly challenging way to practice history.

Since childhood, I have loved visiting museums and historic sites, and my undergraduate experiences instilled in me a passion for public history. My time as a history and theater double major at the College of William & Mary proved pivotal for my ultimate career choice. The history department opened my eyes to public history. With the National Institute of American History and Democracy, an interdisciplinary program focused on American history, material culture, and public history, I dove into public history. I learned from prizewinning scholars and public historians who taught me the value of material culture, architectural history, and historic preservation. During a thrilling summer at an archaeological field school in Colonial Williamsburg, I dug my trowel into the remains of an 18th-century structure and used my theatrical skills to interpret our excavation to curious visitors. By my senior year, I began discussing graduate school with my advisor but was not yet ready to commit.

Instead, I received an incredible opportunity to spend a year as a history and drama teaching assistant at Lord Wandsworth College, a boarding school in England. That year was both personally and professionally fulfilling. I learned that teaching at the secondary school level is not for me, but I confirmed that I wanted to be a public historian as I explored museums and historic sites across Europe. My time in a British history classroom also sparked a new interest in the First World War. While taking students on field trips to the Western Front battlefields, I wondered why that war’s memory did not have the same hold on the United States as it did on Great Britain, a question that eventually led to my book.

After several months in England, I began applying to graduate programs where I could combine a traditional history PhD program with public history. I chose to attend the University of Maryland, College Park, where the history department faculty had diverse areas of expertise and, most importantly, I also could study with the historic preservation department. UMD also gave me easy access to the National Archives and the opportunity to apply for internships at museums in the DC area. When I arrived at College Park, I quickly learned—to my surprise—that I was one of only a few students pursuing a dual-track degree. Most of my peers were set upon a “traditional” academic career path. While my department supported my goals, I got the sense that I was going against the grain and was encouraged to consider academia after graduation.

As professional historians, we are trained to read and gain expertise in any area of history.

Being just outside DC turned out to be critical for my career. Each summer, I secured a paid public history internship, starting with a National Council for Preservation Education internship at the Department of the Interior Museum. I found my dissertation topic during two internships at the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC). I joined the Society for History in the Federal Government (SHFG), which offers job workshops, welcoming conferences, and networking opportunities. Even while ABD, I maintained my foothold in federal history and earned extra income through an internship at the Federal Judicial Center and a consulting job at the Department of Defense Vietnam War Commemoration Office. I loved working as a federal government historian, even as an intern: I could use my skills to support an agency’s mission, teach the public, and have an impact on policy.

Finding my first full-time federal job, however, did not come easily, and as my dissertation defense neared, I got nervous just like my friends on the academic job market. Despite applying for dozens of jobs, nothing came through. In my final semester, ABMC offered me a full-time, temporary consultant position. It would last only two years, but it provided a salary, health insurance, and work I loved while I searched for permanent employment. Between working, managing the commute, and completing my dissertation, I was exhausted that final semester, but I counted myself as fortunate. I got to research and write exhibit content and online articles connected to my dissertation and expertise in World War I!

Getting a foot in the door, even in a temporary position, was vitally important. Before my ABMC position ended, I secured a permanent job as a historian at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) History Office and Library (within the Department of Homeland Security). I initially worried how I would fare without being an immigration history specialist. But as professional historians, we are trained to read and gain expertise in any area of history. I did a comps-like set of reading in US immigration history, and it fascinated me. I found this field meaningful on a personal level, as I connected it to the immigration stories of my family. From genealogy to immigration policy, I loved the work and my colleagues—I even organized a Department of Homeland Security–wide project to commemorate the World War I Centennial. Our team created an award-winning documentary film about Ellis Island and began to envision a museum exhibit for the agency’s new headquarters. Each day brought new inquiries from USCIS staff, genealogists, researchers, and scholars that took me to the National Archives or our own library, research that expanded my own knowledge of immigration history.

I loved working at USCIS, and it was only the opportunity to apply for a job at ANC that took me away. As an ANC historian, I could use my expertise to honor our nation’s veterans, and the position combined military history, memory studies, historic preservation, and museum curation in a way I could not resist. Changing jobs as a federal employee is thankfully simple—all your benefits remain in place.

At ANC, I joined a team composed of two other historians and a curator. Our office works on standard army history projects like the Annual Command History, but we also have public-facing duties. We curate two exhibit spaces, write a blog and social media (follow us @ArlingtonNatl), organize webinars, lead public programs, provide tours to dignitaries, and more. I continue to do archival research and write as part of my job. My current book project is an official history of the origins and creation of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, using primary sources from the National Archives and other repositories to dive deep into the specifics of this story and the Tomb’s many meanings.

We curate two exhibit spaces, write a blog and social media, organize webinars, lead public programs, provide tours to dignitaries, and more.

If it sounds like I love my job, I do! But I don’t want to downplay the challenges of working as a federal historian. The good days are really good, and the bad days are very hard. At ANC, our team has been confronted with interpreting controversial history, with all the negativity associated with the current culture wars. It is difficult to find time at work to do required writing and archival research in such a fast-paced environment, and we cannot always get the days away from the office or money needed to travel to repositories. As federal employees, we don’t have as much intellectual freedom as academics, and we must gain approval for all outside-of-work scholarship. While I managed to revise my dissertation into my first book, it had to be completed entirely outside of my jobs at USCIS and ANC. My supervisors supported me, but I had to accept that I would have no social life until the book was done.

If you’re interested in having a direct impact on policy and the American public, consider a career as a federal historian. With millions of visitors each year and hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, the history my colleagues and I write at ANC reaches far more people than any book I write or classroom lecture I might give. Our work matters—to the families of those buried here, to visitors, and to colleagues. I can delve into any topic that connects to ANC, and I am part of important projects to diversify the narratives interpreted at the cemetery. And I sometimes get to mentor interns who are exploring federal government careers in history and historic preservation just like I once was.

Where to start? Get involved with SHFG and network with federal historians. We are a friendly bunch and happy to talk! If you’re still in graduate school, take courses outside the history department, seek internships, and develop other skill sets. These choices made me a better scholar and were essential to helping me get federal employment.

As I enter the grounds of ANC each day, I am thankful for the journey that led me here. Whether I’m speaking to tourists or dignitaries, writing a blog post or a book, I have opportunities each day to use my historical skills for the benefit of our nation.

The views in this article are only those of the author and do not represent the federal government, US Army, or official policy.