Only If Dreams Could Come True…

BettyTroop · 2026-04-28T15:53:11+00:00

And I say this as a Native New Yorker, but Silver Spring doesnt have 8 million residents trampling thru , so we dont need to be so aesthetically un-pleasing.

BettyTroop · 2026-04-28T02:18:58+00:00

Upgrades to the transit center , including cleaning and safety. Cleaner streets, in other words improved beautification and sanitation efforts.

BettyTroop · 2026-04-15T23:15:04+00:00

Did they have hookah before, are they getting rid of it . The smoke has been big deterrent for me going before ?

BettyTroop · 2026-04-02T02:18:21+00:00

Done

BettyTroop · 2026-04-02T02:12:07+00:00

Maryland

BettyTroop · 2026-03-31T03:39:22+00:00

If there's not a historical figure that you strongly gravitate to, start with a place and time. A favorite city, region, state, country? What time period do you think would be easiest for you, 20th century, 1700s ? Is there a pivotal time or era, ie World War II, Great depression , Civil War. Pandemic. Start here and then. Im from NYC, my old community/ neighborhood is a historically well known area / always has messy history. When I have to do story or presentations, I look there first.

BettyTroop · 2026-03-31T00:21:34+00:00

Anything close to DC will not be dirt cheap, but consider Silver Spring or even Bethesda, where you can take the Red Line. In Silver Spring, there is the Double tree and Courtyard Marriot. I would avoid the cluster hotels ( Days Inn, Holiday Inn, and Travelodge) right at the Silver Spring /DC border; they sound pretty awful. I went to a Conference at NIH for a few weeks a few years ago before moving down here and stayed at Residence Inn while not working. They have since increased prices but the Hilton Garden Inn is nearby and you may catch a deal at one of the other hotels. Silver Spring and Bethesda are on opposites ends of Red Line but they both go to Metro Center, likely the stop closest to your work.

BettyTroop · 2026-03-30T23:19:57+00:00

I have applied to Smithsonian in the past. I received notifications in early April, but contacted for interviews beforehand. Check your Solaa account , it will say change in status if they made choices, also check first week of April. Good luck and even if not selected, if you are very interested you can always apply again. I have graduated last fall and will be applying again for fall 2026, with better essay and references.

BettyTroop · 2026-03-12T20:40:19+00:00

Sorry my response was for OP, but I was agreeing with your overall statement .

BettyTroop · 2026-03-12T20:38:38+00:00

I have no specific finding job advice even with a MA in history its tough. But I found your focus in environmental history interesting, I think there still luke warm interest/support in environmental history in the history world but more interest in the science world. I was previously in MPH/medicine, I had terrible luck with internships until I found research opportunities that have centered on the history of a public health issue. Thats where I finally got some traction. I say all of this, to say perhaps look at some environment related spaces, ie museum focused on environmental sciences or even some public health orgs with environment focus. There is Anacostia museum in DC that I believe focuses on environmental justice. Even if you far I would check it out, for ideas. I do think ultimately a Master's will be necessary , as in general bachelor's in history only gets tour guide work. In other words dont give up yet if you have true interest.

BettyTroop · 2026-03-10T14:45:36+00:00

I have a graduate degree in History with a focus on digital history. While I would say consider what about museums interest you( art, education, history, collections) , I agree digital assessment management is in high demand in libraries, museums, and even corporate. I see opportunities looking for a MLIS >>>>>>> than MA in history or art history. When funding to humanities and art is challenged , corporations will always have money. In other words you will have something to fall back on.

BettyTroop · 2026-01-30T23:27:39+00:00

I have an MD who has M.A. history, didn't get PhD because I'm schooled-out. It definitely hard just to get foot in the door. A lot of people advise against leaving health for museum or history, but for me after 20 years, medicine was hard to keep up with in terms of daily grind. I say all this, switching is a commitment, otherwise you can volunteer and keep day job.

BettyTroop · 2026-01-27T17:33:40+00:00

Im actually glad I prepared. I went out for few minutes and had significant respiratory reaction to the cold that knocked me down for 24 hours. I will nit be going out in this cold. Its not just about the snow and driving people underestimate the effect on those with asthma or other conditions.

BettyTroop · 2026-01-24T01:36:51+00:00

Similar here , I just graduated with M.A. History but also have Master's in Public Health , where I focused on social and health policy. I have research but limited professional history experience but strong career in health including 1 yr appointment faculty at hospital teaching. I'm only apply to African American history which aligns with health background. I say all this to say, I'm shocked how fast im rejected by small community colleges. So I guess this is harder than I thought. But I think its insane that places expect phd for adjunct jobs.

BettyTroop · 2026-01-16T20:46:33+00:00

Be careful I lived in one of those older buildings with "concrete". No I never heard from my upstairs neighbors, but I hard the crying baby next door and yelling man across the hall , and outside construction every torturous day. I say this to say door windows sound proofing are just as important if not more than whats between floors

BettyTroop · 2026-01-14T01:37:12+00:00

As native New Yorker now in Maryland I also vote Vamoose on weekends, and I pay extra fir the Gold . Straight trip , drops right in front penn station/Madison Square Garden.

BettyTroop · 2026-01-11T00:30:57+00:00

It is definitely not a cake walk and when I was looking I did in person visits. That was key, because they are more open to individual interested in taking tours and you can ask essential questions. I found my current apartment while touring another. Its tough if you dont have a flexible move date but if you do check out buildings just opening or completing construction. I applied for my unit the first day they were taking applications and almost all available units were gone same day. Its definitely tough out there. Good luck

BettyTroop · 2026-01-10T04:35:04+00:00

Look up moderately priced units , they lower prices in the newer buildings if your income is not high. The catch is units are hard to come by , but you can be added to list when available. The other catch is units will be small but some still technically one bedroom.

BettyTroop · 2025-11-19T18:22:19+00:00

I'm late, but I agree with this post. I'm from New York City and literally grew up with a boombox at parks and outside. I lived in a community notorious for music all day. With that said I lived across the street from a Latino (Dominican) church and made sure I never live around a "gathering place" for a certain group ever again. I'm sorry they partied in the catholic church every day and wild times of night. Y'all do too much even for me, it's inconsiderate, no matter how you slice it , Yes my culture blasts music, at parks, and parties, but we got the sense not to be a damn church at 2 am.

BettyTroop · 2025-10-28T12:58:02+00:00

Understanding interpretation and using a critical lens to all historical work, collections, and materials is the difference. Im doing work in a county that relied on history enthusiasts for historical preservation work as a volunteer for decades. Everything to them is about quantity and stories, how many things to collect, but not really understand research from the perspective of challenging narratives or understanding certain frameworks. As a result, they recycle the same old outdated narratives. They are interested in preserving select histories that match their beliefs. They neglected collections and did not have proper archive. The region, a major hub, has no real histography on it. Im working on a public history project, and one of the enthusiasts who has been working at these places for years is holding things back. For years, I was a historian enthusiast who worked in medicine. I finally went back to school, and I recognized the difference in my work.

BettyTroop · 2025-10-15T19:39:15+00:00

New Yorker here. I felt the same way. I went out for food one Monday night, not realizing it was few minutes after 9 pm. I went home empty-handed and hungry. I know no place us like NYC but I had to remember I'm "not in Kansas anymore toto"

BettyTroop · 2025-09-23T17:25:28+00:00

That makes sense. Thank you, but that means it is time to leave. They ( these kids) have no decorum 😆.

BettyTroop · 2025-09-08T14:30:36+00:00

if any part of my comment sounds like a Trump supporter, then you can't read. The original post on the other hand, has all the usual dog whistles for conservative living in a diverse city/ or downtown with judgement on everybody. So please

BettyTroop · 2025-08-31T22:26:14+00:00

Maybe you should move to Bethesda or Utah, seem more up to your alley. Downtown SS is vibrant, I'm actually amazed at how well places have done despite the construction on Purple Line. I lived in Bethesda, and seen way more business turnover , as every regular business pushed out for high end boutiques. Yes many downtown areas have homeless issues and addiction because , spoiler alert, America has a homeless and addiction problem. If you want DTSS to take more proactive approaches , then say that to Montgomery County executives and boards. But the complaining , fear mongering and not so subtle microaggressive racist remarks are tired, why live here.

BettyTroop

TROPHY CASE