What to Do With That History Degree? This

American Girl is hiring a research historian
By Elizabeth Armstrong Moore,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 18, 2017 4:25 PM CDT
What to Do With That History Degree? This
American Girl is looking for a historian.   (American Girl)

American Girl, known for producing historically accurate dolls for kids, is now looking for a research historian, a gig "you spent your entire childhood training for," per Jezebel. So if you've got a bachelor's degree or higher in history or a related field, a few years of experience doing professional research, and a penchant for historical or nonfiction writing, go ahead and check out the official American Girl job details. The researcher's primary job will be to "ensure accuracy and authenticity of American Girl characters," which encompasses a lot: books, toys, movies, games, and more, down to customer service. The position is far from a first for the company, as, oddly enough, a Wall Street Journal article on a Wells Fargo hire makes clear.

The bank's Abbot Downing division hired historian Mark Speltz from the Mattel-owned American Girl brand last week, and this opening may well be connected to the vacancy he leaves behind. Speltz joined American Girl in 2000 as a research historian, and has for the last 7 years been its senior historian. He recently helped develop the story for Melody Ellison, the doll introduced last year and modeled after an African-American girl who grew up in 1960s Detroit. "Patience" might be a good qualification for potential applicants to have: In a 2016 interview with the UWM Report, Speltz explained it can take as long as three years to move a doll from concept to completion. As for Speltz's new gig, Abbot Downing works with "ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families," and he'll be beefing up its family history team. (Read about this first for American Girl.)

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