History

A degree in History gives you a thorough understanding of past events, analyzing the social, economic and political causes and effects.

Before you begin to look at the different types of opportunities available to History majors, you must look at yourself and ask yourself a few basic questions:

Understand your major strengths, skills and accomplishments. Some examples of skills and qualities employers look for are:

Proficiency in reading comprehension
Written and oral communication
Problem solving
Decision making
Listening and observation
Attention to detail
Analytical
Inquisitiveness
Resourcefulness
Research
Critical thinking, etc...

Examine your interests. What kind of life style do I want to lead? Examine your values...is money what you're after, job security, challenging work?

If you are having trouble answering these questions, you are not alone. Make an appointment with an advisor in the Career Center. We want to help you!

Once you know yourself, you are ready to decide where and how you want to apply this knowledge.

A bachelor's degree in History and the appropriate skills and/or experience can lead to positions as:

Archivists
Public relations representatives
Travel agents
Assistant editors
Writers
Market researchers
Research assistants
Reporters
Museum assistants
Gallery assistants
Program coordinators, etc...

Experience in the field or an advanced degree could lead to certain positions as:

Lawyers
Teachers
Librarians
Museum directors
Consultants
Urban administrators
Public administrators
Psychologists
Biographers
Curators
Economists
Sociologists, etc...

For information on graduate schools, consult Peterson's.

Typical places of employment are:

Museums
Libraries
Galleries
Universities/Schools
Historical societies
Associations
Historical preservation sites
Antique shops
Book stores
Corporations
Government
Environmental firms
Financial institutions
Zoological parks
Aquariums
Conservatories
Horticultural societies
State & national parks
Foreign service

To help you decide which area to pursue you must do in-depth research into each area of specialization and/or industry you have an interest in.

Join the Career Centers COACH Program

The Occupational Outlook Handbook

Talk to people in the field, talk to your professors, write to and/or join one of the following associations:

American Historical Association 400 A Street SE, Washington, DC 20003 (202) 544 - 2422 www.theha.org

American Association of Museums 1225 I Street NW, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 289 - 9132

American Association for State & Local History, 530 Church Street, Suite 600 Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 255 - 2971 www.aaslh.org

For additional lists of Associations consult the Encyclopedia of Associations.