History majors study the causes, experiences, and effects of past events. They seek to understand both the commonality and differences of human experiences over time. Most historians specialize in either political history or social history. They employ sources that include books and documents as well as photographs, oral histories, newspaper clippings, posters, music, and business documents. Becoming a history major is a natural for students who enjoy historical novels, genealogy and family history, collecting artifacts or coins or stamps, visiting museums, or watching the History Channel.
Only a small percentage of history majors actually become historians. Most go on, instead, to professions in which they can utilize the skills that they perfected as history majors. Many become lawyers, politicians, writers, business people, teachers, journalists, researchers, or librarians. History students acquire a number of skills that easily translate to the world of work. Among these prized skills are effective writing (the ability to precisely communicate one’s ideas in words) and critical analysis (the ability to analyze a situation and come up with creative and practical solutions to a problem). Other valued skills include the ability to do research and incorporate what you’ve learned into an understanding of an issue, and the ability to approach problems from a variety of angles utilizing interdisciplinary thinking.
Although history programs differ from university to university, lower level classes generally include histories of the United States, Europe and the non-Western world. Other beginning classes generally include a course in historical methods and another in how to do research. Upper level classes allow history majors to focus on their particular areas of interest; these are frequently taught in seminar format. Often, history majors engage in interdisciplinary study and may be required to choose a specific area of study in which to pursue a capstone project.
Since finding appropriate source material for your research projects is challenging, you’ll want to select your college with an eye to the library’s strengths and weaknesses. Find out about access to journals, databases and archives through the college library. Ask, too, about connections the history department may have with area museums, historical societies, and historical sites. Internships at such local sites can provide budding historians with practical skills and real-world experience.
If you are considering a history major, you might also want to explore some other related majors. Check out college offerings in archeology, anthropology, art history, American studies, economics, classics, European studies, Asian studies, women’s studies, international relations, or political science. Look at the course catalog to see both the required courses for the major that interests you as well as the breadth and depth of additional classes associated with that major.
Many history majors become educators, working not only in schools and colleges, but also at historical sites and museums. It should be noted, however, that positions as college professors in history require a Ph.D. and that there are few such openings in this area throughout the country.
History majors are particularly well-suited for careers involving research. Many history majors go on to careers as policy advisors, city planners, or as researchers for museums, historical organizations, or governmental organizations.
Because historians are trained to write effectively, many become writers, editors, or journalists. Others use their training to enter public service as policy makers or politicians, or become lawyers. Their analytical skills also translate well to the business world, and history majors often enter such fields as banking, insurance, or financial planning.
Careers for History Majors
- Archivist
- Biographer
- District Attorney
- Editor/Journalist
- Foreign Service Officer
- Genealogist
- Historian
- Historic Site Specialist
- Historical Society Director
- History Professor
- Investment Analyst
- Judge
- Lawyer
- Librarian
- Market Researcher
- Preservation/Restoration
- Researcher, Legislature
- Researcher, Encyclopedia
- Teacher, Secondary School History or Social Studies
- Title Examiner
- Urban Planner
List above adapted from Allegheny College site.
Learn more about careers for history majors at The American Historical Association at www.historians.org
