Alumna Elisha Scott graduated from the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies with her Master of Arts in History with a focus in public history in 2016.
Scott answered a few questions about her current position, her experience studying at SHPRS and advice for current students.
Tell us a little bit about your current position and how you found yourself there.
I have been working temporary positions in various careers to learn more about the possibilities of a career in public history. All my work experience until now was in the service industry, and while I have gleaned some amazing and marketable skills, my resume shows no “professional” or “academic” experience except the few I have for college requirements. With all the positions I have had since graduation, my employers have been so excited about the skills my public history experience gave me. I worked as a children’s librarian, then in human resources for multinational food delivery service, and am currently in the development department at the zoo. Not only has this given me professional experience for my resume and taught me about different industries, I am also able to teach employers the value of hiring history majors!
What is the most fulfilling part of your career?
Since I am doing temporary positions, I am able to pick and choose the types of positions I take on. It’s like being able to try on a new career every few months. I am still looking for a full-time position in my field, but this allows me consistent income and the freedom to write and volunteer in my spare time. From someone who gets bored with new jobs quickly and has other passions outside of my career, this is the way to go, especially if you are unsure of how to make the next step into your career.
Growing up, were you always interested in history?
Very much so. We would always go to the same museum every year from kindergarten to 5th grade, and by 2nd grade, I would stand in the back and tell everyone what was coming next (by 3rd grade, I had to walk with the teacher). In high school, my parents bought the History Channel and Discovery Channel packages for our TV for my 16th birthday and I sobbed. I sat in front of it for weeks watching documentaries. With both the museum tours and documentaries, I was captivated by the ways in which history becomes more interesting than anything fiction
writers could dream up.
What attracted you to SHPRS at ASU?
I was most attracted by the enrollment process. My enrollment coach made the process simple to understand from the moment I expressed interest in the program, and I knew where to turn for the hundreds of questions I felt I had. My success coach helped me learn accountability and how to ask for help when I needed it. From step one, I felt like an individual that they actually wanted at their school and that I had a reliable person to turn to during the difficult times.
Tell us about your time with SHPRS.
Throughout the whole program, I always felt like my educational experience was built around what was best for me as an individual. All my academic progress, across my entire program, was weighed against myself, not the class average. My professors cared about my progress, and encouraged me throughout the course. The sense of community within the online graduate program was stronger than that at my on ground undergraduate program at another college! Most of my professors were very personable and encouraged us to have group discussion (not just as part of our grade!) because they also value the hive mentality. I always felt that I had multiple options of people to turn to for help, both personally and academically.
Did SHPRS and your degree help in preparing you for your current position?
The professional experience portion of my degree helped me the most. Professional Experience taught me how to seek out desired employers and pitch prospective positions to them. I was able to share the merits of my academic experience and even if they were not receptive to employing me, thanked me for enlightening them.
Was there a defining moment with your academic career?
When I successfully wrote a convincing 25-page paper on the FIFA scandal of 2016, of which I previously knew nothing, I realized I could write about anything. I spent weeks doing copious research and creating charts on the topic and it infiltrated every conversation I had for months. My friends know as much about Sepp Blatter as I do, and honestly, it’s a lot.
What is the most useful thing you learned that you can still apply today?
The most useful thing I learned is how to advocate for yourself when you need something or have questions that will aid your understanding. The time you spend speculating and potentially doing something incorrectly added to the stress of an unfavorable outcome is completely not worth it, no matter how embarrassed you might be to ask the question.
Were there any extracurricular activities you were involved with at ASU?
If you call being very active on the SHPRS Masters Students Facebook page extracurricular activity…Truthfully, that forum was amazing for me. I was able to connect with fellow classmates and professors,and create a sense of camaraderie with people from all around the country. We have some of the coolest, most helpful and funniest people around!
Do you have any tips for current students?
Whether you are on ground or online (especially if you are online), find a friend who is going through the program at the same time as you. Even if you are taking different classes, it helps to have someone who is going through exactly what you’re going through at the same time. You
can motivate each other and hold each other accountable when things get tough. I met one of my best friends in the program because she introduced herself on our Facebook page and I messaged her answers to her questions. A year after graduation, we still talk everyday. Having that friendship made all the difference in both of our academic experiences, as well as our personal lives.
What has inspired you to succeed, professionally or personally?
I define success as the continual pursuit of a goal and perseverance through obstacles. You may not attain your goal exactly as you imagined it, but you will gain so many other valuable traits and people as you go. That said, I am inspired by my ability to be resilient in the face of adversity. You learn so much more through the times you struggle than the times when something came easily. I am always in pursuit of my end goals and am open to the possibilities along the way; that is where the real growth occurs!