Careers for Graduates in History
There really are career opportunities out there for graduates with a degree in history but to find those careers where a knowledge of the past is requisite, graduates with a degree in history must be ready to diligently delve into a variety of employment areas. Because our past has an influence on our present and future,graduates with a degree in history may find their background surprisingly qualifies them for a career in some very diverse occupational fields. As exciting as the study of history can be its fortunate that it can also lead to interesting career opportunities for graduates who have pursued and attained a degree in history.
Teaching. Armed with a degree in history from an accredited college and the necessary teaching certification, most graduates with a degree in history are prepared to begin a career teaching history at the middle or high school level. The teaching track has a lot to recommend it like good benefits packages, summers off, opportunities to subsidize your income through coaching or advising. While there always seems to be plenty of openings for teachers in math or science , openings tend to disappear quickly for graduates with a history degree. But if teaching is your desire, there are opportunities out there for graduates with a degree in history. You just have to be willing to send out plenty of resumes, start at the bottom , follow up on every application, agree to relocate or look beyond the standard public school opportunities. Private and parochial school also offer history classes and need teachers too. The pay may be less than in public institutions but taking these jobs can help to get you in the door to a teaching career by providing you with a year or two of that valuable commodity called experience.
If you choose to teach history at the junior college, community college or university level, it is likely that you will need an advanced degree. But graduates with an undergraduate degree in history are academically well prepared to pursue such additional education and the college level teaching jobs that go with them.
Writing If your degree in history happens to exist in pleasant combination with solid writing skills, you may find career opportunities with publishing companies that produce history textbooks, documentary programs, and resource materials. These companies are certainly in the market for new study materials, text ideas and supplements for markets at the middle and high school level. Publishers not only will hire people to write new materials but welcome into their sales and product consultant positions graduates with a degree in history who can speak effectively and connect professionally with potential school based customers.
Additionally, graduates with a degree in history who demonstrate good writing skills may also find career opportunities in producing source material, advertising copy and public relations materials in both the public and private sector of the economy. Many non school based companies and agencies routinely put out materials that depend upon historical settings, knowledge and accuracy. Graduates with a degree in history can confidently apply for positions that center on such work.
Government Work Some of the most active and colorful career opportunities for graduates with a degree in history can be found through employment with federal, state and municipal agencies. Together governments agencies have responsibility for literally thousands of historic parks, sites and landmarks. At many locations there are employment opportunities for graduates with a degree in history to work as site directors, research assistants, interpretive tour guides or even reenactors. For graduates with a degree in history who also enjoy working a crowd, being dramatic, sharing enthusiasm for the subject matter and working in an interactive venue, there are careers waiting to be filled in government owned historical sites across the nation. Don’t expect big money, do expect to enjoy what you do.
Research Federal, state and local governments also offer many opportunities for graduates with degrees in history who enjoy or have additional experience in pure research. National, state, county and local archive centers , historical societies, historical commissions and internal offices as well as public ;and private museums employ graduates with a degree in history . These employees are needed to service the constant requests for historically accurate research which come from inter- governmental , executive, legislative and judicial agencies. Employees also extend their skills to meet the needs of authors, educators, students of history and information seekers across the board.
Travel Agencies Among the wide variety of trips and tours offered today by travel agencies, many include historical themes. Career opportunities exist for graduates in history who want to accompany travelers through historic terrain while providing historically accurate and informative presentations to enrich the travel experience. Graduates with degree in history and some natural or trained speaking ability may find a career opportunity working with a travel agency either to create special tours or to professionally lead history based travel options.
People often say that graduates with a degree in history really have few options other than teaching. But every facet of our lives has an historical element. There are many jobs in both the private and public sector of the economy that clearly would benefit from the expertise possessed by those who are graduates with a degree in history. As history majors these graduates are likely to understand what it means to research the possibilities
