Written by Nick McIntosh

At high noon on January 23^rd, a group of humanities scholars stepped into a museum lobby across from Central Park. In contrast to the stereotypical image of academic work as a solitary pursuit, these academics entered a vibrant milieu: a network of model trains clicked and hooted overhead, a gaggle of excited 10^thgraders trotted past, while nearby a large, dazzling clock tick-tocked as though time was progressing with just a little more urgency. It was here, at the New York Historical Society on the Upper West Side, where Princeton and Fordham scholars met for a taste of life outside the grounds of the university campus, to explore careers that utilize their expertise in unexpected ways, and perhaps bring them a little closer to the pulse of the city.

The day's events were organized by Princeton's GradFUTURES team in partnership with NYC-based institutions, including Fordham University's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, began in earnest at the NYHS under the guidance of Dr. Valerie Paley and her colleagues. They led the attendees on a tour through the museum, sharing their experiences and observations in curating exhibits for children and adults, men and women, New Yorkers and non-New Yorkers alike. At lunch they shared more of their professional lives, delving into how and why they departed the traditional academic confines for the world of public history and museum curation. This segment highlighted how skills honed in humanities studies could be transformed into impactful careers in public history, reaching an audience of hundreds of thousands every year. The personal career journeys shared by the NYHS team, particularly those involved in the Center for Women’s History, offered practical insights into the diverse applications of humanities education.

Next, the participants visited the American Council of Learned Societies, where John Paul Christy and Desiree Barron-Callaci awaited. They gave the visitors an inside look at an organization that faces both traditional academic concerns and the public at once, supporting scholars across many disciplines and helping their work make positive impacts in communities across the U.S.  Nick McIntosh (Fordham Philosophy), reflected on this part of the event, saying, "The session at ACLS was a highlight for me. John Paul and Desiree showed us opportunities for humanities scholars that go far beyond the 'tenure track or bust' mindset."

Participants asked questions about the organization and how humanities scholars can better position themselves for jobs where norms and expectations might be different than those in the academy. Mathilde Sauquet (Princeton, Art and Archaeology) shared her takeaways from this event, noting that Christy and Barron-Callaci encouraged scholars to, “approach the process with open-mindedness and humility, but also with the confidence to showcase the problem-solving skills they've acquired throughout their degree. Their advice has shifted my mindset when looking at job ads, from writing cover letters that detail the problems I've solved in my research to cover letters that highlight the problems I could solve for any given organization.” She continued, saying, “this eye-opening session revealed the vast potential for humanities scholars in various sectors, challenging the conventional career trajectory of academia.”

The day’s activities culminated with a networking dinner at Fordham’s Lincoln Center Campus, which brought together graduates of Princeton and Fordham who come from our humanities programs and now work as professionals in publishing, consulting, and non-profit work. This informal gathering provided a platform for engaging discussions. Mara Foley (Fordham Theology) shared her experiences, emphasizing the value of these interactions and how important networking and an intense intellectual curiosity can set a prospective job hire apart in a crowded applicant field.

Assistant Dean James M. Van Wyck, who led the trip along with Amanda Peacock, Graduate Student Professional Development Coordinator for GradFUTURES, noted that the GradFUTURES team is eager to partner with partner institutions to take graduate student professional development in new and exciting directions, at Princeton and beyond.

"Relying on both our established and emergent partnerships, GradFUTURES is seeking ways to reimagine the ways PhDs create and circulate their knowledge, and a collaborative approach is crucial to this work," said Van Wyck.

This collaboration between Princeton and in organizing this event was a key factor in its success. It demonstrated the power of collective efforts in expanding professional horizons and building a vibrant community of diverse, bright minds in the humanities. This event set a precedent for future collaborations aimed at supporting and influencing the next generation of scholars, fostering a spirit of innovation and mutual support.