About
Brief Introduction
To begin, my name is Jessica Chernich and I am a graduate of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania with a major in Public History and a minor in Technical and Professional Communications. Upon graduating, I took a year off and as of 2020, completed a Master's in Public History degree from The University of Western Ontario.
Value of a History Degree
Often times, a degree in the liberal arts is frowned upon and regarded as a soon to be redundant field. However, liberal arts, specifically history, provides majors with critical thinking skills, imagination, empathy, and resourcefulness. It teaches you to research, evaluate evidence, communicate, and problem solve.
As the job market fluctuates as more and more fields enter and leave, many degrees only train individuals for the present job world, which in due time will be obsolete.
History teaches for a lifetime and majors in it can attest that it does not teach you what to think, but rather how to think
What is Public History?
There are hundreds of ways to define public history. At its core, the National Council on Public History defines the study as "history that is applied to real-world issues", giving the field a second name of "Applied History".
Public Historians, in the long run, are no more or less important than Historians. I firmly believe that the two have the ability to work together to change the way history is presented. While academics and professors compose remarkable papers and bring to light new theories, public historians have the ability to bring those theories to life for the public. Is there someone who experienced this event? Oral historians can document their experience. Interpreters can find creative ways to educate the public on these theories and exhibit designers can create a cohesive story of the theory.
I also believe that both can act as the other. At times, those identifying as public historians act as academics and academics can easily become public historians by taking their research and theories to libraries and universities. There is no true border between the fields, but the importance of ensuring there are individuals who will engage with the public is why there is a field dedicated to the study.
What I believe
I agree with most common thoughts when it comes to proper organizational behavior such as the importance of group work, meeting deadlines, and even ensuring that a work environment is comfortable, engaging, and creative.
However, there are three characteristics that I specifically believe in:
Tenacity
Dependability
Inquisitiveness
When working in an organization, the ability to quickly grasp the inner workings is a valuable trait to have. With tenacity, one is determined and able to face any task and can even make the difference between success and surrender.
At any position in the organizational hierarchy, dependability is a must have. If an upper level employee can not depend on their employees to follow protocols or complete tasks, then an organization is less likely to be successful.
Lastly, inquisitiveness allows employees to explore information associated with a job site as well as grow in knowledge. From first hand experience at the Berks County Heritage Center, I would be unable to give tours if it was not for a constant curiosity to learn more about the site.