How to Be Oral Historian - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

The invention of the printing press in the mid-15th century had a major impact on the spread of knowledge, which in turn led to an increased interest in oral histories. As more people had access to printed materials, there was a greater need for accurate accounts of the past. This resulted in the rise of oral historians, who use interviews and other forms of documentation to capture and preserve the stories of individuals and communities.

In addition, oral historians are often able to provide a unique perspective on history that traditional written sources may not provide, such as personal experiences and perceptions. This has been especially beneficial in ensuring that marginalized voices are included and heard in the historical narrative.

Steps How to Become

1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree. To become an oral historian, you will need to get a bachelor's degree in history, anthropology, or a related field. This degree should include courses in research methods and oral history techniques.
2. Develop Research Skills. As an oral historian, you will need to be able to conduct research and write reports on your findings. You should take courses in library and archival research, and learn how to search for sources, evaluate them, and draw conclusions from them.
3. Participate in Internships or Field Work. You can gain valuable experience by participating in internships or field work related to oral history. Working with established oral historians can help you develop your skills and network with people in the field.
4. Get Certified. The Oral History Association offers a certification program that can help you demonstrate your expertise in the field of oral history. To become certified, you must have at least three years of field experience, submit a portfolio of your work, and pass an exam.
5. Network. As an oral historian, it is important to stay connected with other professionals in the field. You can do this by attending conferences and workshops, joining professional organizations, and participating in online discussion groups.

Oral Historians are critical for preserving and sharing the stories of the past, as they provide reliable and efficient access to important information that may otherwise be lost. Without the work of Oral Historians, much of the past would remain unknown, as many historical documents and artifacts have been destroyed or lost due to time and changing political forces. Furthermore, Oral Historians have the ability to capture experiences, opinions, and memories that are often not recorded in written sources.

By interviewing individuals who have lived through a particular event or time period, Oral Historians can create a more complete understanding of history by providing a unique perspective. Oral Historians often make use of technology to record, store, and share audio and video recordings of these interviews, making them readily accessible to future generations. the work of Oral Historians is invaluable in preserving and disseminating the stories of the past.

You may want to check Technological Historian, Literary Historian, and Historical Geographer for alternative.

Job Description

1. Interviewer: Conducts interviews to capture oral histories from individuals and communities.
2. Research Analyst: Conducts research to identify relevant topics and records related to oral histories.
3. Editor: Reviews and edits audio recordings to ensure accuracy and clarity.
4. Archivist: Responsible for organizing and preserving oral histories in electronic and physical formats.
5. Educator: Develops educational materials and presents information on oral history topics to students, teachers, and other interested audiences.
6. Content Developer: Writes scripts and develops multimedia content for use in radio, television, and other media presentations.
7. Project Manager: Oversees oral history projects from start to finish, including budgeting, scheduling, staffing, and other administrative tasks.
8. Fundraiser: Identifies and applies for grants, develops sponsorships and other sources of funding for oral history projects.

Skills and Competencies to Have

1. Knowledge of oral history methods and techniques.
2. Ability to develop and implement oral history recording plans.
3. Ability to conduct interviews with accuracy and sensitivity.
4. Ability to research and develop interview questions.
5. Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
6. Ability to organize, transcribe, and analyze oral histories.
7. Ability to create and manage audio/visual preservation systems.
8. Proficiency with digital media and computer software applications, including audio editing programs.
9. Understanding of ethical issues related to oral history.
10. Knowledge of archival standards and protocols.
11. Ability to write and produce grants for funding projects.
12. Knowledge of a variety of cultures, customs, and languages.

Oral historians are essential for preserving the history and stories of past generations. Their ability to accurately record and document oral testimonies is key to understanding how events and cultures have evolved over time. The most important skill for an oral historian is an acute ear that can listen attentively and critically to a wide variety of stories.

They must also be able to ask probing questions, analyze what they hear, and be aware of cultural nuances in order to accurately document the testimony. oral historians must have strong organizational skills in order to properly organize the collected data. Finally, having the ability to communicate effectively with interviewees and the public is essential for ensuring that the stories are accurately conveyed and shared with future generations.

By mastering these skills, an oral historian is better equipped to capture and preserve the stories of the past.

Historical Consultant, Family Historian, and Labor Historian are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

• What motivated you to pursue a career as an Oral Historian?
• What do you find to be the most rewarding part of your work?
• How do you go about collecting stories from people?
• What techniques do you use to ensure accuracy and reliability of stories?
• How do you ensure that stories are told in an unbiased, non-judgmental manner?
• How do you handle difficult or sensitive topics when conducting interviews?
• How do you go about analyzing and interpreting stories?
• How do you create a safe and welcoming environment for interviewees?
• What process do you follow when writing up the results of your research?
• What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career as an Oral Historian?

Common Tools in Industry

1. Digital Audio Recorder. A device used to record audio, such as interviews or oral histories. (example: Zoom H1n Handy Recorder)
2. Video Camera. A device used to capture video footage, such as interviews or oral histories. (example: Canon VIXIA HF R800)
3. Digital Video Editor. Software used to edit and enhance video footage. (example: Adobe Premiere Pro)
4. Audio Editing Software. Software used to edit and enhance audio recordings. (example: Audacity)
5. Transcription Software. Software used to transcribe audio recordings into text. (example: Sonix)
6. Database Software. Software used to store and organize research materials. (example: FileMaker Pro)
7. Digital Archiving Software. Software used to export and preserve digital media for long term storage. (example: Archive-It)

Professional Organizations to Know

1. American Folklore Society
2. National Council on Public History
3. Oral History Association
4. International Oral History Association
5. American Association for State and Local History
6. Society of American Archivists
7. Society of Professional Journalists
8. International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives
9. Association of Personal Historians
10. American Association of Anthropology

We also have Historian Writer, Battlefield Historian, and Historian Archivist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

1. Qualitative Research. Qualitative research is a type of social science research that uses interviews, observations, and textual analysis to gain insight into people’s beliefs, values, and behavior.
2. Narrative Analysis. Narrative analysis is a research method used to analyze stories and interpret the meanings of the stories.
3. Ethnography. Ethnography is a research method used to gain an understanding of a particular cultural group or community by studying their shared beliefs, customs, values, and behaviors.
4. Discourse Analysis. Discourse analysis is a method of studying written or spoken language to explore the ways in which language is used to communicate ideas, beliefs, and values.
5. Interviewing. Interviewing is a research method used to gather information from individuals or groups to gain an understanding of their experiences, thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors.
6. Documentary Filmmaking. Documentary filmmaking is a type of filmmaking focused on the production of documentary films that tell a story about real people and events.
7. Historical Research. Historical research is a research method used to study past events and people in order to gain an understanding of the present.
8. Archival Research. Archival research is the systematic search for records that are stored in archives or other repositories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is Oral Historian? A1: Oral Historian is a profession that involves collecting, preserving, and interpreting historical information through interviews, recordings, and other forms of oral communication. Q2: What qualifications do Oral Historians need? A2: Oral Historians usually need a master's degree in history, anthropology, or a related field. They should also have specialized knowledge and experience in interviewing, research, and archiving. Q3: How many years of experience does an Oral Historian typically have? A3: The amount of experience varies depending on the individual. However, most Oral Historians have at least 5 years of experience. Q4: What methods do Oral Historians use to collect information? A4: Oral Historians typically use a range of methods to collect information, including interviews, archival research, field recordings, and transcriptions. Q5: What is the purpose of Oral History? A5: The purpose of Oral History is to preserve and document stories and memories that would otherwise be forgotten. It also provides an opportunity to share unique perspectives and experiences that can inform our understanding of the past.

What are jobs related with Oral Historian?

• Military Historian
• Gender Historian
• Environmental Historian
• Social Historian
• Museum Curator
• Urban Historian
• Ethnographic Historian
• Numismatist Historian
• Chief Historian
• Digital Historian

Web Resources

• How to Do Oral History | Smithsonian Institution Archives siarchives.si.edu
• The UNT Oral History Program | Oral History oralhistory.unt.edu
• Oral History - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill writingcenter.unc.edu