What to do with a Degree in History?

• Author: Michael |University Scholar
• Filed under: College Advice
• Date: Feb 20,2008

You love history. On your homepage is the history of the day and you start by reading it then you end up spending another hour on the internet seeking more knowledge of the past. You just can’t seem to get enough of it.

At the same time, you are attempting to decide what you want to do with your life. Could you be a historian? That would be your dream career. To travel the world, unearth ancient civilization and find truth in the stories of old. Unfortunately, this image of an adventure historian that is portrayed in the movies may not be possible as a career.

Career Options for a Degree in History

• Diplomat

• FBI agents

• Department Heads

• Researchers

• Archivists

• Administrative and Legislative Assistants

• Lawyers

• Management

• Government Agencies

• Writer

• Professor

Career with a B.A. in History

If you get a B.A. degree in history and stop there, your chance of having a career as an historian will not be secure. The field of history is one in which to advance you must continue to with your education beyond a B.A. or B.S. (Click here to find out the difference between a B.A. and a B.S. degree.) However, a degree in History can be very beneficial in other professions, especially if the history degree is in addition to another degree.

For example, I am getting a degree in History and Business Economics. As of know I intend to continue to graduate school; however, if I chose to go directly to the work field, history can greatly benefit me.

History gives us wisdom. Perhaps the phrase is overused but history does repeat itself and by studying history, we are less likely to repeat its flaws and grow from its strengths. History is also very applicable to the ever continuously growing Globalization. If you plan to rise up in any field there is a very likely chance that you will be a need for you to cooperate with people from a different country. By studying history, you will better understand other cultures. And if you are open minded you can discover common ground among others.

Being able to discover similarities with other people is very important in building mutual respect for one another; and therefore, building your professional network.

A Career in History with an Advanced Degree

If you do intend to go to graduate school you will have many options. Just because you get a degree in history as an undergraduate does not mean you have to get a degree in history as a graduate. You can continue your education by studying such things as: architecture, archeology, economics, sociology, etc. When you go to graduate school, you will choose a very specific specialty or geographic location that you are interested in study. You will need to ask yourself “Do I want to study Asian history?” “Or American?” “Do you want to study wars?” “Or economics?” “Politics?” “Or even the arts?”

Depending on what you decide your specialty will be will determine where you will attend graduate school, because every school will have a different program with a specific specialty. I suggest that you visit the American Historical Association’s career advice for graduate students.

My General Career Advice

No matter what you decide to do, finish with a B.A. degree in History or a B.S., what will determine your success is your ambition. Because there is not a high demand for historians it is a very competitive field, and if you want to have your spot in the field then you need to make that spot. Be creative, open your mind to all possibilities, and if you have an idea do not throw it away without at least sitting down and logically thinking about whether or not the idea could be a success.