This Rutgers Librarian Competed on Jeopardy!

Who is Caryn Radick? According to her Jeopardy! contestant profile, created ahead of her October 14 appearance on the iconic quiz show, she is a dedicated digital archivist for Rutgers University Libraries’ Special Collections and University Archives. In this role, she served as the principal investigator for a National Endowment for the Humanities National Digital Newspaper Program grant between 2016 and 2023. She also is a resident of Kendall Park, New Jersey, loves cats and reading fiction, and is “known for her tendency to overthink.”

Rutgers University Libraries spoke with Radick about her journey to becoming a contestant and her experience on the show.

What made you decide to try to get on Jeopardy!?

I've watched it fairly consistently since it started airing with Alex Trebek in the 1980s and loved playing at home. I looked into trying out once or twice but never moved forward. It used to be that the initial online test was only open at certain times, but in recent years, it changed so that initiating the process was so easy. The Anytime Test is what it sounds like—if you have an Internet connection and 15 minutes, you can take it anytime. I thought, why not try and see where it goes?

What was the process of becoming a contestant, and how long did it take?

You don't know how you did on the first test, so you just have to wait and see if you hear back. The other stages are similar and involve more testing and an audition game over Zoom. At every stage, there's information about when you can try again if you don't hear anything, so I have several “You can take the test again” notes on my calendar. I was shocked when I got the invitation to be a contestant. I started the process in March and was taping in September, but it can take longer to be asked to compete.

What were you thinking and feeling during the taping?

It is surreal! I kept thinking, after years of watching from my couch, I'm now in the game. I was very excited and nervous. I worried about timing the buzzer right, and on stage, you're also responsible for keeping the game going, so there's the pressure of remembering to pick the next category along with answering the questions. But overall, it's a lot of fun. I got to meet other contestants who also love the game and were excited and in disbelief to be there. Everyone is incredibly nice and helpful.

How did the knowledge and experience you have gained as a librarian help you compete?

Working as an archivist or librarian, you come across a lot of information that you may need to draw on later, so that's useful for building up general knowledge. I've also taken on roles at Rutgers University Libraries that were stretches for me – such as being faculty chair – and that I ultimately found rewarding. This served as a reminder that moving out of my comfort zone can bring good experiences.

What about this experience made the greatest impression on you?

It was a whirlwind. The questions that I got wrong or that someone beat me to burn in my brain as missed opportunities. But mostly, it was just amazing to get to spend time on the set and be a part of the game and its history. I also was impressed by how everyone involved had a reverence for the game, its history, and Alex Trebek. 

Do you have any advice for others who want to compete on Jeopardy!?

Try and keep trying. Again, you can take the first step as long as you have an internet connection and 15 minutes, and there are practice tests that give you an idea of how it works. Some people go through the process multiple times before they're invited on; you’ll never know if you don’t try. A year ago, if someone had told me I’d be on Jeopardy!, I would never have believed it!