How to Become a Building Researcher

Building researchers uncover technical and historical details about buildings for a number of clients. Government agencies, the military and private corporations need data on buildings to proceed with new projects. You can assist in the responsible development of new neighborhoods and communities as you become a building researcher.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Prepare to spend 5 years as an undergraduate while pursuing a double major in architecture and history. This combination of studies will help you keep your career options open and give you unique insight as a building researcher.

2. Approach your professors as an undergraduate and graduate to find research opportunities before you become a professional researcher. You should speak with your favorite professors about their academic pursuits to find ways to bolster your skills before graduation.

3. Bolster your credentials as a building researcher with a Master's degree in public history. An advanced degree provides dual access to jobs in the public and private sectors throughout your career.

4. Share your experiences as a building researcher and become well-known in your field by writing for academic journals. Researchers who find a particularly interesting building or collection of documents will write for university journals to further academic dialogue.

5. Attend conferences on historical and architectural research around the world to become familiar with current issues in your field. You should attend at least two conferences a year to present papers, meet with your colleagues and learn about employment opportunities.

6. Work at a university archive to help young researchers find information on local buildings. Archive positions allow the flexibility to complete your own research while you earn a steady salary.

7. Begin a career as a building researcher by applying to your city government. Local governments utilize researchers to look into appeals by preservation societies about antiquated buildings and complete profiles on every property in the city.

8. Use your skills as a building researcher to maintain the historical feel of your community as an employee of a preservation group. Your research into the origins and importance of a building can be used to establish landmark status through the federal government.

Tips & Warnings

• Investigate every library and archive in your community as part of your building research process. Building researchers need to exhaust every resource when searching for details on an old structure. You should establish a strong relationship with library assistants and archivists to get information quickly.

• Practice handling old photos, public documents and newspapers before you begin your career as a researcher. One of your responsibilities as a building researcher is to maintain original documents for future generations.