If you have a passion and enthusiasm for history, it is possible to overcome the perception that history is a non-vocational field. There are steps you can take to develop a history degree into a profession.
Instructions
Put Your History Degree to Work!
1. Apply for a history internship or work study while you are still working on your degree. Practical experience in the history field is invaluable. Even if your internship is unpaid, it will give you confidence and credibility and enhance your resume.
2. Transfer and talk up the skills you already have developed. History majors spend years honing their communication and writing skills, and they constantly sharpen their research, evaluation and analytical skills as well. They become proficient in information and research technology and time management skills. These skills are transferable to many fields. Many people with history degrees find rewarding careers in museums, historical societies and as public historians, historical consultants or contract archivists.
3. Partner your history degree with a minor in another field, like business, giving you a double-edged professional sword. Historians track trends. Accurately forecasting and tracking trends is an important skill in the world of marketing or corporate or financial planning. Many history majors are successful in banking, insurance, and stock analysis, while others forge careers as researchers and policy advisors who serve as planners and policy analysts for state, local, and federal governments.
4. Capitalize on your writing and communication skills. Historians learn write coherently and persuasively. This training qualifies them for careers in advertising, communications media, and as writers and editors. Some history majors work at publishing houses, while others become documentary editors who help publish documents in government agencies and historical societies. Many historians become print and broadcast journalists.
5. Expand your horizons and your options. History majors who enjoy working with documents can complete a two-year graduate program in library studies or archival management. They enjoy careers in archives management, information management, or librarianship. Many history majors discover their historical training is a perfect prerequisite for Law School. Historians and lawyers both argue persuasively, using historical data to support their arguments. Other history majors become policymakers, serve as legislative staff at all government levels, and become heads of foundations or funding organizations.
6. If you chose to become an educator, you can teach at the elementary or secondary level. With a masters or a Ph.D. in history, you can teach at community and junior colleges, undergraduate colleges, and universities. As a history professor, you can use your ideas and training to make an impact on your profession and your students. Teaching gives history majors the opportunity to inspire students to love the subject as much as they do .
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