What kind of experience do you need to become a preservationist?

I'm interested in pursuing a career in preservation, but I'm not sure what kind of job experience I should be aiming for. What kind of experience do you need to become a preservationist?

Starting a career in preservation often involves a mix of formal education, hands-on experience, and specialized skills that pertain to the sub-field of preservation you're interested in.

Typically, preservationists have bachelor's degrees in relevant fields, such as historic preservation, archaeology, architecture, or history. Some jobs may require graduate degrees in these areas or related fields like conservation science or museum studies.

Hands-on experience, achieved through internships or jobs, is essential. This may include working in historic site management, in an architecture firm specializing in historic renovation, within museums, or with local, national, or international preservation societies. These experiences provide a practical understanding of preservation standards and techniques and can offer networking opportunities.

Specific training may also be beneficial depending on your interests within the field. For example, if you're focused on architectural preservation, you might need experience with architectural drawing or have knowledge of specific periods of architectural history. If you are interested in preservation policy, understanding of legal codes and historic property law would likely be necessary.

Another key aspect of preserving historic buildings or cultural heritage sites is fundraising. Skills in grant writing or other forms of obtaining funding can be incredibly useful.

Keep in mind, the career path in preservation can be quite varied, as the field itself is broad. The types of experiences that are most beneficial may depend on the particular area of preservation you're aiming to enter.