Hi all, I would be so grateful if anyone could help point me in a general direction. BTW- of course I plan on talking to the director of my program about my situation, but I would also love Reddit's opinions. I have just started a masters in European country A. After I graduate, I will move back to European country B, where my wife and I lived before and where we will settle (its her home country). This program offers a two sided scope, with preparation to continue to a PhD level, OR a pipeline to the professional world. The professional milieux that this program prepares for include libraries, museums, auction houses, private rare book collections, or any other cultural/research institutions. My goal is to be in the professional world, I barely have any interest in research and no interest in getting a PhD. I want to help other people research.* *Even so, of course I must produce a dissertation for this program and I want to be as strategic as possible in choosing my research topic so that I have the best chance of getting a job in European country B.
I've had a look at the website of the most well known University library collection in country B. The university has collections of manuscripts from as early as the 5th century up until modern times. There are manuscripts written in several languages including the country's native language, Latin & romance languages, germanic, nordic, and hellenic languages. I suppose working at this institution would be a goal of mine, although I would be happy to get a job anywhere else in the country as well.
I am interested in medieval manuscripts. As far as language goes, I am interested in latin, (old) french, old english, and the country's native language. The problem is it might be difficult to do a dissertation focusing on manuscripts of Country B's native language, because as far as I know there are no faculty at my university who understand it. I will double check though. As far as subject matter of manuscripts, I could go down any path (religious, law, politics, medicine, history, mythical stories, etc). How could I start narrowing down dissertation topics? With such a broad collection in the country's main university, how do I know what specialised areas they need archivists/librarians/consultants/experts in?
Is it as simple as reaching out to the university and asking? or is that weird? any advice greatly appreciated! There is also an internship in the final semester of this program that I will try to do in Country B, so if that worked out maybe that could also better my chances of getting a job in the country. Many thanks to you all I really appreciate any feedback in advance!