Sheila Joy, archivist, artist and Shippensburg University alumna, visited campus on Oct. 3 to speak on her life and career. 

An artist at heart, one of Joy's strongest values is her love for a slow and intentional life. Particularly during the pandemic, Joy began focusing on life organization and planning, taking time at the start of the month to map her goals. In addition to the storytelling and vlogs of her YouTube channel, Joy worked as an independent photographer for both corporations and small businesses. Her work varies from brand shoots to stock photos. 

Joy's job as an archivist is one that demands a careful eye and a steady hand. Preserving documents is an act where making a mistake could mean losing irreplaceable documentation. Rather than stress, however, Joy uses this part of her day to practice acting with attention and care. 

Her work in the Evangelical Lutheran Church can involve processing, digitizing and recording documents. Her judgment calls on what to prioritize can make or break a workday flow, as some documents are much more heavily requested than others. 

Joy's driving point about her experience in public history is that everyone deserves to do what they love while getting paid for it. During her presentation, she shared tips and tricks for those hoping to enter the archivist field, including a look into her tasks and responsibilities. She also deeply emphasized the importance of enjoying one's job, and not simply going through the motions. 

In addition to her work as an archivist, Joy runs a YouTube channel. Her most recent videos focus on life in autumn, sharing tips for reading lists, outfits, and thrift store trips. One of the common themes of her work is the romanticization of day-to-day activities and removing oneself from the unending drive of trend cycles. She also emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and working with one's mental health, rather than fighting against it. 

For more information about Joy and her work, check out her YouTube channel. 

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