Case studies: Records management analyst: Ian Meldon

Ian has a BA Hons History and Archaeology from the University of Leicester. After working for ten years in areas as diverse as archaeology and retail, and then six years for HMRC, he decided on a change of career and studied for the PgDip Archives and Records Management at the University of Liverpool. He now works for the United Nations.

After several years working in a range of jobs, I was ready for a change so chose to study for the PgDip Archives and Records Management at the University of Liverpool . It was risky to quit a permanent job, yet my career had stagnated and the course was held in high esteem and gave me two career options. Due to competition for places, I was required to demonstrate commitment to the profession through appropriate voluntary work and visits to archives, alongside independent research and reading about the profession. I found the entire process of returning to university a challenge and fun; it was great to be studying with new people with similar interests, yet difficult to write essays after ten years.

I started looking for work while still on the course and was happy to apply for jobs in both archives and records management anywhere. I thought it was a long shot, but sent my CV for a job posted on a professional mailing list seeking records management analysts for a project at the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations in Rome (FAO). Nevertheless, I was shortlisted for a phone interview that was mostly a discussion of current trends in records management, which were still fresh in my mind from studying. One week later, I was offered an initial six-month contract.

It was a wonderful justification of the risks I had taken to fly to Rome at the height of summer to start a new life, and on my first day, I found a diverse team of co-workers, including records managers and archivists from all over the world with career histories eerily similar to my own. I have now been here 18 months and during this time we have been preparing and rolling out the new records management system. For the remainder of my contract we will fully deploy and test the new system. The job is challenging, although satisfying, and there is no typical day. On some days I am at my desk writing papers or analysing folder structures, and on others I am in meetings, giving presentations or training staff.

All my skills are being stretched and honed, and I am also gaining a broader view of the issues and challenges archivists and records managers face than I would have if I had taken a job in the UK. Long term, I would like to build upon this experience, hopefully through working for other international organisations where I can broaden my expertise into neighbouring professions such as information and knowledge management.

For students who want a career in archives and records management, I recommend trying to get the best understanding of both sides of the profession before committing to study. For me it has been a challenge, yet looking back the entire process has been fun and worthwhile. I also think it is important to realise that job opportunities are worldwide, especially if you are flexible and keep your options open. Finally, never think a job advertisement is not applicable to you - take a chance and apply, you never know where you might end up.