History

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers a BA or BGS, as well as a MA and a PhD in History. The history major allows students to explore the richness and diversity of human experience in the past while building skills of analysis, interpretation, research, and communication. All history majors gain knowledge of significant historical transformations that have shaped the world. History majors learn to think critically, to conduct historical research, and to present the results of their research in clear and coherent writing.

History Department website

Sample of Related Skills

• Demonstrate knowledge of key historical facts, values, and ideas that have shaped civilizations throughout history  
• Analyze secondary sources and identify various approaches to historical interpretation through critical reading  
• Construct historical arguments based on primary sources and the historical method 
• Conduct independent historical research  
• Present results of research in both oral and written format  
• Develop the ability to examine other societies in a global context and to look at one's own society in the context of other societies  

Popular Career Paths

Curatorial and Archival Management: Includes acquiring documents and works, documenting them, and ensuring their preservation. 
Education (Classroom and Non-Classroom): Involves educating children or adults on historical information in a variety of settings: museums, schools, libraries, historical sites, camps, etc. 
Historical Preservation & Conservation: Works to promote and implement policies and practices to protect and preserve historical sites and cultural resources. 
Writing & Research: Utilizes research and writing skills to contribute research, data analysis, and written works to historical organizations/educational institutions, publications (academic journals, magazines, books) or other media/entertainment (television shows, movies, plays). 
Information Specialization: Involves the management of books, documents, archives, exhibit pieces, products, etc. with the use of technology. 
Business Administration and Management: Allows one to use the abilities to collect and digest information, draw conclusions, analyze data, comprehend and explain facts, etc. in a variety of business settings.   

Jobs to Consider

• Archivist
• Art Conserver
• Classifier
• Claims Adjuster/Examiner/Investigator
• Collections Manager
• Conservation/Preservation Specialist
• Coordinator of School and Youth Programs
• Curator
• Director of Visitor Services
• Education Coordinator
• Exhibit Designer
• Grant Writer
• Historian
• Historical Researcher
• Information Systems Manager
• Intelligence Analyst
• Interpretive Guide
• Journalist
• Library and Information Specialist
• Lobbyist
• Market Researcher
• Media Specialist
• Museum Registrar
• Paralegal
• Policy or Program Analyst
• Public Relations Officer
• Preparator
• Research Analyst
• Tour Director
• Training and Development Specialist
• Travel Agent
• Urban Park Ranger

Places to Seek Employment

• Camps
• Chambers of Commerce
• Colleges and Universities
• Consulting Firms
• Historic Preservation/Conservation Societies
• Historical Journals, Magazines, and Publishers
• Insurance Agencies: Claims Departments
• Law Firms
• Libraries
• Local, State, and Federal Government Agencies
• Local, State, and National Parks
• Museums
• Nature Centers/Wildlife Refuges
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Private Corporations (Records Management)
• Research Centers
• Study Abroad Offices
• TV Networks, Film Studios, & Theatres 

Explore More Career Resources

A & E Television Networks - job openings with the History Channel and its affiliate stations 

American Alliance of Museums - Resources related to managing a career in museums 

American Historical Society - various careers, with descriptions, within different industries for history majors to consider; also includes job listings, fellowships, and other professional association.  

American Library Association - job listings, career information, ALA accredited academic programs and more  

Preservation Directory - comprehensive online directory of historical preservation resources; includes job postings 

Smithsonian Internships - list of Smithsonian internship opportunities; you can also explore possible career paths and current job openings with the Smithsonian on their website 

Society of American Archivists - contains job postings, email listserves, directory of archival degree programs and other archival associations 

Student Conservation Association - internship programs that include opportunities in historical parks and museums 

The Organization of American Historians - job opportunities in the field of history, as well as programs, events, and networking opportunities 

Watkins Community Museum of History - local volunteer and internship opportunities, as well as additional links to other local historical organizations