How did you feel about the internship leading up to the start?
I felt excited about starting the project, especially knowing it would help the museum further develop and improve their ease of access to records. Having records digitised is important not only as a step forward to achieve additional museum accreditation but also in case of a disaster such as a fire. It ensures they are safe for the future. Having a searchable database also allows for names to be put into the search tool if visitors are enquiring about a relative. This allows the particular page of interest to be found quickly and studied in detail.
What was your first day like?
On the first day, I had an induction meeting with David, the Project Manager from Eighth in the East (the organisation involved with funding) and also Tim and Peter who help run the museum. I was a little nervous about knowing where to start off, so it was great to have such clear communication with the team involved in this project. We spoke about the system I would be using for cataloguing the records and also about the general facilities and layout of the area I would be working in so I knew where everything was. I felt supported by everyone which put me at ease. After that I started cataloguing the first folder which detailed the operational history of the 390th group after they first arrived here.
What have you been up to each day in your first week e.g. what tasks have you been doing, have you learnt new skills?
I think this role has really refined the analytical skills which I gained studying for my history degree at UEA. Whilst working in the database I look through each particular record and pick out the key details which people may want to search for, as well as the date if this is mentioned. Before this internship I had worked on Excel before, but I have learnt new skills on this particular programme during this first week.
Has your experience of your first week been what you expected?
It has been what I expected to be doing. I like the fact I can also get involved with other projects which Eighth in the East are part of and also to be involved with the visitors when the museum is open. Although I hadn’t studied this particular area of history in great detail I am finding it interesting learning new terms each day.
What have you enjoyed the most about your first week?
I enjoyed meeting all the volunteers at the museum when it was open on the Wednesday and also seeing visitors. They were all interested in the work I have been doing and it was enjoyable to engage with them about the digitisation process. Everyone here has made me feel really welcome which has contributed to making my week enjoyable. Whilst working on the records, particularly the Daily Bulletins issued during 1943 it is fascinating to read about the social side of day to day life, for example the cinema schedule of movies which were shown!
How do you think the next few weeks will be?
I think the next few weeks will continue to be interesting as I will be working through the operational history folders from the very beginning and then towards the end of the period so it will be interesting to see changes across that time. I will also later be digitising photo albums from the period which adds another dimension to the project.
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