Alumna Master Applied History
Study programme: Master Applied History
Graduation year: 2024
Job: Editor ‘Ik Vertrek’
A passion for history
After completing my bachelor’s degree in Criminology, I decided to change direction and pursue my favourite high school subject: history. While exploring various master programmes, I came across the (then) new Applied History programme at the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication. The ‘applied’ aspect of the master’s programme really appealed to me, particularly because I had noticed during my bachelor programme that typical academic research limited my creativity. To me, it sounded like the best of both worlds to be spending a year rediscovering my passion for history while engaging in a more creative and applied form of research. So, in the end, the decision to pursue the master in Applied History was an easy one.
No standard assessments
For me, the true value of the Applied History master lies in its right balance between theoretical courses that provide a strong foundation for analysing history (and its narratives) through an academic lens, and the innovative, practice-oriented forms of assessment. Throughout the entire year, I didn’t take a single standard exam. One course involved creating a short historical documentary combined with oral history, another was assessed through a unique presentation format and the writing of a policy document, while yet another course was entirely focused on conducting anthropological fieldwork and writing an academic essay. Finally, you have the option to undertake an Applied Project instead of a traditional master’s thesis. This allows you to fully unleash your creativity, and in my experience, you are incredibly well-supported in both your research and your applied project. This applied project is truly unique for a master’s programme, so make the most of it!
Working in media
Creating stories, preferably through an audiovisual medium, is something I have always enjoyed. Before studying Applied History, this was merely a hobby, but during my master’s programme – and thanks to the various projects I undertook, including my master’s thesis – I realised that I would really like to turn this into my career. Soon I came to the conclusion that, after graduating, the best thing to do would be to start at the bottom of the ladder as an intern at a media company or production house, so I kept a close eye on the Mediastages job page every day. I sent out lots of applications, but they always preferred someone who better matched the profile, until I was lucky enough to be invited for an interview at ‘Ik Vertrek’ and I could explain more about my studies and my unconventional background. Then I was hired there and worked as an intern for six months. Because my managers were satisfied with my work, I was given the opportunity to move on to a role as a junior editor for the BNNVARA programme ‘Je Zal Het Maar Hebben’. After that season had finished, a position became available at ‘Ik Vertrek’ and I was able to start there again, but this time as an editor.
Delving into stories
As an editor for ‘Ik Vertrek’, I focus on the content of the programme. I stay in contact with all our candidates, keep track of what’s happening, and inform my colleagues when it would be interesting to visit them for filming (we typically make three separate trips to candidates: the beginning, the most pivotal moment, and the celebratory conclusion). I do not travel abroad myself, and the director often isn’t familiar with the finer details of the story. To ensure the director knows what to film, I write a script outlining the key storylines and corresponding questions they can ask. Simply put: I prepare the outline of a colouring page and provide the director with suggestions so they can fill it in, ensuring the story is captured in its entirety for TV.
In my work, I am constantly analysing candidates’ stories and structuring them into clear narratives. This way of thinking – recognising patterns, placing events within a broader context, and building a cohesive narrative – is something I developed extensively during the Applied History programme.
Tips for a successful start on the job market
It is a bit challenging to land a job as a recent graduate. What personally helped me was not only sending out open applications, but also asking if companies would be willing to meet for coffee – even if they didn’t have any vacancies. This way, you make yourself visible and show that you are proactive. You’ll always leave an impression on someone!
Finally, I would like to share a tip: emphasise that while you may have an academic background, this specific programme equips you to apply theory in practical ways through visuals, exhibitions, podcasts, journalism, and more. The name Applied History can sometimes raise questions, so take the time to explain it thoroughly and highlight its added value. By emphasising the applied aspect of my education, I ultimately landed a job where, on paper, my academic background might have been seen as a disadvantage compared to more practically trained colleagues. But it worked out, so it’s definitely possible!
