History

The study of the past broadens our perspective and allows us to discover the essential elements of human existence. Besides preparing students for careers in government service, law, teaching, business, advertising, and journalism, an education in history can lead to a variety of enriching careers.  Positions that attract history majors will likely require some of the following qualifications: experience, extensive knowledge of a particular time period or region, the ability to communicate with diverse groups of people, and good writing and research skills.  The term historian covers a broad range of career options and job settings.  In general, historians study, assess, and interpret the past to determine what happened and why.  They examine court documents, diaries, letters, and newspaper accounts; they conduct research, write, teach evaluate, and make recommendations.  They interview individuals and study archeological and artifactual evidence.  Schools, universities, libraries, and museums, government offices, and private enterprise are some of the job settings for history majors.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

Examples of Job Titles for History Majors:
Some of these jobs require education beyond a bachelor's degree.
 
Related Career Titles for History Majors
 

Academic Advisor/College Counselor	Editor	Housing and Student Life Coordinator	Paralegal
Actuary	Editorial Assistant	Human Resources Recruiter	Park Ranger
Advertising Media Planner	Educational Researcher	Indicter	Peace Corps / Vista Worker
Affirmative Action Representative	Educational Sales Representative	Information Systems Consultant	Political Campaign Worker
Alumni Affairs Coordinator	Employee Newsletter Editor	Institutional Researcher/Historian	Political Scientist
Anthropologist	Energy Administrator	Insurance Agent / Broker	Preschool and Elementary School Teacher
Archeologist	Energy Communications Specialist	Intelligence Analyst	Preservation/Restoration Assistant
Architectural Drafter/Technician	Energy Researcher	Intelligence Officer	Psychologist
Archivist/Historian	Environmental Administrator	Interpreter	Public Affairs Coordinator
Art Historian/Educator	Environmental Communications Specialist	International Relations Specialist	Public Relations Specialist
Bank Research Analyst	Environmental Researcher	Investment Banking Analyst Trainee	Publications Researcher
Biographer	FBI / CIA Agent	Journalist	Radio/Television Researcher
Biomedical/Medical Research Assistant	Film Production Assistant	Judicial Clerk	Real Estate Development Researcher
Career Planning and Placement Counselor	Film Researcher/Copywriter	Labor Relations Researcher	Research Assistant
Clergy	Financial Researcher	Lawyer	Secondary School Teacher
College Admissions Officer	Foreign News Correspondent	Lecturer	Sociologist
College Development Specialist	Foreign Service Officer	Legal Assistant / Paralegal	Special Program Teacher
Community Relations Director	Freelance Writer	Legislative Aide	Student Activities Advisor
Compensation/Benefits Coordinator	Genealogical Services Specialist	Librarian	Survey Assistant
Computer Instructional Designer	Genealogist	Library Aide	Teacher, Social Studies
Congressional Aide	Government Official	Lobbying Researcher	Technical Writer
Construction Surveyor Trainee	Graphic Arts Illustrator	Lobbyist	Telecommunications Analyst
Consulting Operations Administrator	Graphic Arts Photographer	Market Research	Trade Show Coordinator
Consumer Advocate	Historian	Market Research Assistant	Travel Agent
Corporate Communications Specialist	Historical Museum Administrative Assistant	Market Research Assistant Account Executive	Travel Consultant
Correspondent/Stringer	Historic Preservation Specialist	Market Research Project Supervisor	Underwriter Trainee
Counselor	Historical Projects Coordinator	Market Research Statistician	Urban Administrator
Criminologist	Historical Research Assistant	Media Consultant	Urban Planner
Customer Service Representative	Historic Site Tour Guide	Museum Curator	Urban Planning Research Assistant
Demographer	Historical Society Staff Member	Museum Technicians & Specialist	Writer / Author
Economist

Some Employers of History Majors:

• Advertising
• Broadcasting
• Bureau of the Census
• Business and Industry
• Central Intelligence Agency / Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Department of State
• Media
• Museums & Archives
• Paralegal Profession
• Peace Corps / Vista
• Politics
• Public Interest Groups
• Campaigns
• Legislators
• Political Parties
• Research foundations
• Schools and Universities
• State and Local Governments
• Travel and tour services
• Administration & Legislation
• Corrections & Court Systems
• Education
• Health and Human Services
• Highway & Street Construction and Maintenance
• Housing & Community Development
• Library
• Parks & Recreation
• Police & Fire Protection
• Social & Welfare Services
• Transportation

HISTORY WEB SITES

History and Careers - From the University of Central Arkansas ideas of what can be done with a degree in history.

FAQ's About a Career in History - North Carolina State University, Department of History

Careers for History Majors - From SUNY Oswego, an overview of history careers.

American Historical Association - The American Historical Association (AHA) is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1884 and incorporated by Congress in 1889 for the promotion of historical studies, the collection and preservation of historical documents and artifacts, and the dissemination of historical research.

American Studies Web:  History and Historical Culture Studies - Reference & Research

History Central Catalogue - Historical references for around the world.

American Association of Museums - The American Association of Museums is the national service organization that represents the needs of American museums to enhance their ability to serve the public.

American Association of University Professors - AAUP's purpose is to advance academic freedom and shared governance, to define fundamental professional values and standards for higher education, and to ensure higher education's contribution to the common good.

American Association for State and Local History - The American Association for State and Local History provides leadership service, and support for its members, who preserve and interpret state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful in American Society.

Bureau of the Census -

National Archives*

National Auctioneers Association

National Genealogical Society

National Register of Historic Places*

Society for American Archaeology

Yahoo! - Computers and Internet: History

The History Channel

Women's History Month

HyperHistory Online

Sports History

Historical Text Archives*

The History Net*

Government Job Listings

Internet History Resources

Links to Scholarly Societies*

Resources of Historical Societies*

Resources of Archaeological Societies*

Resources of Anthropological Societies*

Websites for the History Profession*

History Departments Around the World*

Resources for Archivists and Record Managers*

The Costume Page

Library of Congress

Library of Congress

The George Mason University Center for History and News Media