HISTORY HOME > WHY STUDY

Why study history?
There are a variety of reasons to study history. We each choose our own. Here are a few possible reasons:

- We want to understand how the world came to be the way it is today.
- We want to learn more about our heritage.
- We seek guidance for the future.
- We find other cultures and other ways of life fascinating.
- We are interested in exciting and fresh career opportunites.
- It is interesting and challenging.
- It can teach you how to think and articulate ideas and thoughts.
- It can be fun.

Careers for History Majors
'Ask the Experts' provides answers to many common questions about the value of a history major. To view other questions and answers or to ask a question of your own, please click here.

Question:
I'm a freshman in college and am working towards a history degree, but everyone asks me what can I do with a history degree. I wonder the same thing myself. I enjoy learning about history, but I don't know what I want to do for a career.

First Answer:
Visit the Career Center at your school. Find out what information they have on Careers for History Majors. You might also want to take an Interest Inventory -- The Strong Interest Inventory is a very good one to take. It will help put names with careers that will let you do the most of what you enjoy. Talk with your history professors, explore on the internet. Is teaching an interest -- you could be a history teacher. Another possibility is something in the field of museum or historical landmarks. Your Career Center should be able to provide you with the information that will give you an idea of the possibilities of careers open to history majors.

-- Linda Wyatt, Career Center, Kansas City Kansas Community College. Linda's Biography

Second Answer:
My first reaction to your letter is "good for you!" I'm a firm believer in getting a liberal arts education first, then specializing in a Master's program if that's desired. It worries me that so many young people go to college these days focusing on getting job instead of hoping to learn about life. I believe that an undergraduate education should be about becoming a well-rounded (educated) individual. It is a time to figure out who you are and what the world has to offer. It's not "trade school."

Don't worry because you're not sure what you want to do yet. Part of going to college is the process of learning about who you are and what you ant. Take lots of different classes in all areas and see your mind open to new possibilities you never thought possible! Take your time, enjoy the journey. If you like History, a major in this area will show you how the past can influence the future. You will begin to see the world in a more holistic way which should jump-start your thinking about what your role in the world will be/ Don't be so worried about what other people think , or that you can't see lots of eventual jobs stemming from a history major right now. Whether you choose history as your undergraduate major or something else, it's just a stepping stone to many other things you'll eventually pursue in your life. Not that many people actually stick to their college major for a career for the rest of their lives. You can always go on to pursue a Master's Degree in something more specific.

That being said, the reality of today's world is that you need to have experience and skills to beat the competition. While I encourage you to take lots of courses in a wide variety of subjects (so that you get a taste of all the possibilities) you will also want to be sure you have experience that employers will find attractive. An obvious choice with a history degree might be to also take education classes along with your history major (the country needs great teachers!). You might consider getting a part-time job now in an area where your history degree will be appreciated (E.g. museums, foundations, non-profits, government) so you have a network set up for job hunting in those areas upon graduation. Consider also balancing your general classes wi
th some skill-oriented ones (e.g. computer certification), so you have a variety of experiences and skills to bring the working world.

-- Alison Blackman Dunham, life & career expert, columnist, personal public relations consultant, half of THE ADVICE SISTERS®, and the author of the ASK ALISON career advice column. Alison's Biography

Third Answer:
History degrees are, most often, building blocks for higher educational pursuits. Pursuing a law degree, a master's degree in a more specialized field, or going on to teach on the college level is often the end goal. However, an undergradate liberal arts degree can also lead to other careers.

History graduates are typically good in writing. The marketing department of a law firm, a writing center in a college, or perhaps the public relations office of a museum might have entry-level positions for graduates in history. However, remember that you must be the creative one. Few positions will list, "History major wanted". You will be the one to find potential jobs and sell your skills to the interviewer.

If you want a more clear career track, consider accounting, graphic design, or elementary education. These fields have very clear career ladders. History, English and Psychology require a more creative and pro-active career seeker. Best of luck to you.

-- Holly Lentz, Lentz Productions.

Fourth Answer:
The study of history is a study of humankind. If you engage your history degree fully, you will read voluminously. You will learn to sift what you read and think carefully and critically about it. When you have you own thoughts and concepts, this good preparation will have you ready to write authoritatively and accurately. This kind of clarity of thought is an excellent preparation for oral presentations, and is a solid grounding in research skills emphasizing thoroughness, reliability and ethics.

My suggested first step is to do an in-depth self-assessment,there is an overtone of self doubt in your question. This need to be addressed because you have by current estimates about sixty plus years and growing of active life. Why do something you may not enjoy for so long a time if you are able to focus on a choice more in keeping with your inner self? Your campus career office will be able to direct you to knowledgeable people who may help you. Myers-Briggs Type Indicators, Strong Interest Profile and 16PF are examples of the names of tools that can be used in your assessment. Knowing who, what and where you are is critical, in my view to starting on your career path and enjoying the journey over time.

Having personal knowledge of yourself and wishing to continue to study history (for you may find a totally different direction following your self-analysis) here are some ideas of how you may apply the developing skills alluded to in my first paragraph:

Learn yourself, learn your craft develop the critical skills of thought and judgment and your career path will be wide.

-- Robert C. Resch, Career Center, Triton College. Robert's Biography

Fifth Answer:
Many attorneys I know have undergraduate degrees in history. In fact, I participate in a discussion forum about modern American politics as portrayed on television, and one gentleman (an attorney!) is quite a font of information, often providing in-depth details about how American politics has been shaped through the years. You could also consider positions in teaching or politics.

-- Rene Hart, Resumes for Success!

Sixth Answer:
It probably would be a good idea for you to take a career exploration class. Most colleges offer a class like this where you explore different careers and match your skills, abilities, interests and values to a career that fits you best.

Have you discussed this with your instructors? They may be able to give you some insight on how you can use a history degree. Does you college career centre have career programs where you can look up descriptions of careers and see how your interests fit into certain careers?

There are so many options available to us in this country. Sometimes it is almost overwhelming to us when we start looking at all the choices we have regarding our career direction. The key is to stay open, put on your explorer hat and begin the journey of discovering a career that brings you joy and fulfillment.

Another area to explore is the internet - look for people with similar interests and network with them. Find out how they have used there History degrees in a career setting -- clubs are a great place to start. There are hundreds of clubs you can join that will connect you with the right people.

The important thing is to do what you love to do! Don't worry about negative comments from family and friends that sometimes keep people from pursuing their dreams. Good Luck!

-- Candace Davies, Director and Founder of Cando Career Coaching and Resume Writing and All Trades Resume Writing. Candace's Biography

Seventh Answer:
Take a deep breath, look your questioner in the eye, and tell everyone that a liberal arts education is great preparation for a professional life in which critical reasoning, the ability to think, analyze, and write a persuasive argument are valued. Knowing something about the behavior of people, governments, nations in the past will give you a perspective that students on a more vocational track may miss, and not even know something's missing. In other words, "good people can do anything," and you will add vocational skills either in a professional graduate school (MBA, MD, JD, MPA, certain doctoral programs) or in your work experience.

A more technical undergraduate degree, such as accounting or computer science, only helps your questioner see a straight path to the first paid job, that is invisible to her or him in your history degree. Employers, however, briefly enamored with business majors twenty years ago, have rediscovered the value of liberal arts majors because these students can think and articulate, skills directly applicable to business problems, to government programs, to issues in every industry and country.

History majors teach, write, enter politics or government service, work in business, in international affairs, in social services, in academe, and on Wall Street. Many of your fellow students who choose a more vocational major will discover they are prepared only for one career. What happens after a finance major decides he hates crunching numbers for a living? Most of us are going to have several careers over our lifetimes. Guess who will have more flexibility and career choice?

-- Carol Anderson, Career Development and Placement Office, Robert J. Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy at New School University in New York City.

 

DEPARTMENT INFO BROCHURE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS MAJORS/MINORS What can you do with a history degree? History is an essential component of the liberal arts. Indeed, Wartburg History Department offers a number of courses that fulfill requirements in the Essential Education program. Why? Because history contributes to the develop of the intellectual and communication skills students need to succeed in the world. Thus, the history major gives you a sound background for careers in: - law - journalism - business - teaching - government service - writing - librarianship - publishing - historical research - public history - or museum work

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