Class of 2025: Rielly Kitchener

For history student Rielly Kitchener, a 12-week work placement at Essex Record Office has provided inspiration for his future career, as well as his most memorable Essex experience.

Rielly, who is graduating with an MA History, originally came to Essex to study his undergraduate degree, attracted by the high student satisfaction scores in the School of Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies.

When he graduated with his BA, he knew he wanted to stay on.

Inspired by his lecturer Dr Alix Green, who he credits with “providing the first spark of interest in archives”, Rielly decided to swap a traditional MA dissertation for a work placement. It was an opportunity he says “sounded fascinating, lined up with the kinds of research I had been doing, and would be helpful to me in building a strong CV.”

As a MA Student Archivist at Essex Record Office, Rielly, along with fellow Essex history student David Perkins, was responsible for handling and recording details about uncatalogued materials. He was supervised by Record Office Archivist Kate O’Neill, who he says was “endlessly helpful in setting up the placement, teaching me everything I needed to know, and providing helpful advice as a mentor, both during the placement and ever since”.

The placement didn’t disappoint and has confirmed that he wants to pursue a career as an archivist.

Speaking about his Essex education and his department, Rielly who is originally from Kettering, Northamptonshire, said: “Essex provides a fantastic campus experience for students looking to learn and a strong faculty who have never been anything but supportive and understanding with me.

“I am confident anyone looking to study at postgraduate level would find Essex a suitable environment and enjoy their time at the uni.”

Rielly continues to develop his CV by volunteering at Essex Record Office and he has this piece of advice for prospective and current students: “Take full advantage of the support and advice resources available to you.”