Excellent post!

Peace & Blessings,
“Guided by the Ancestors”

Thank you so much for that information! I will definitely look into both the APG and ProgenStudy. I appreciate you taking the time to give some advice.

This list is great. And I think this career choice is perfect for you since you are so good at managing so many different things at once and juggling them and still making it look easy.

My main goal has never been to be a professional genealogist. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. So I’m in school now studying like crazy to become a teacher. And honestly, I can’t picture myself anywhere else but a classroom.

And for 9-10 months out of the year, I’d like to be standing in front of a group of five year olds reading stories, singing songs, and counting on my fingers.

But I’ll have the summer months off and I’d love to spend that time teaching genealogy – whether that be in lectures, webinars, or magazine articles.

I honestly have little interest in doing someone else’s family research (unless I find a particular story fascinating or I really connect with someone’s ancestor, etc). My life purpose has always been to teach. So if and when I decide to pursue something in genealogy, it will always be part-time and it will always be in a teacher role. (If I can pay for a flight to SLC, I’ll be perfectly happy).

But that isn’t to say that I don’t think there is something to be made in the genealogy industry. For those of you who are becoming professionals in this industry, more power to you and I will always be on the sidelines cheering you on.

I’m not sure if you will read this follow-up comment, but I just wanted to let you know that there is a place already established where newer professionals can learn from more experienced professionals: the Association of Professional Genealogists. There is a Members-Only email mailing list where many great discussions occur. I would also recommend joining a local chapter of the APG if one is organized near you, and get to know the other members.

Also, be aware of those who appear to be extremely knowledgeable in your area, at society meetings, researching at the Archives or local FHC, etc. One of my mentors, in terms of teaching me quite a bit about the records in my area or research, was a long-time genealogist, the author of many books, and worked part-time at the state archives. But you have to be brave enough to approach them, and ask questions.

Finally, the ProGen Study Groups are organized to provide both business help and research help to their members. It is an 18-month program, but you will learn a lot. Both myself and Thomas are recent graduates of the program. To join the waiting list, visit http://progenstudy.org/

My business, like most, is primarily research. I use educator, author, curator to provide clients for my research work. I love the research part, but if I could make as much money just curating and writing I would do more of that.