History

Department of History


Concentrations
Applied and Public History
Multidisciplinary
Secondary Education

The study of the past broadens our perspective and allows us to discover the essential elements of human existence. Besides preparing students for careers in government service, law, teaching, business, advertising, and journalism, an education in history can lead to a variety of enriching careers. Positions that attract history majors will likely require some of the following qualifications: experience, extensive knowledge of a particular time period or region, the ability to communicate with diverse groups of people, and good writing and research skills. The term historian covers a broad range of career options and job settings. In general, historians study, assess, and interpret the past to determine what happened and why. They examine court documents, diaries, letters, and newspaper accounts; they conduct research, write, teach evaluate, and make recommendations. They interview individuals and study archeological and artifactual evidence. Schools, universities, libraries, and museums, government offices, and private enterprise are some of the job settings for history majors.


Related Career Titles
Archeologist
Archivist
Biographer
Clergy
Community Relations Director
Congressional Aide
Consumer Advocate
Criminologist
Demographer
Editor
FBI/CIA Agent
Foreign News Correspondent
Foreign Service Officer
Genealogist
Historian
Historic Preservation Specialist
Historic Site Tour Guide
Historical Society Staff Member
International Relations Specialist
Intelligence Analyst
Journalist
Lawyer
Lecturer
Legal Assistant / Paralegal
Librarian
Lobbyist
Market Research Analyst
Media Consultant
Museum Curator
Museum Technicians & Specialist
Peace Corps/Vista Worker
Public Relations Specialist
Research Assistant
Teacher, Social Studies
Technical Writer
Travel Agent
Urban Administrator
Urban Planner
Writer/Author


Some Employers of History Majors
Administration & Legislation
Bureau of the Census
Business and Industry
Campaigns
Central Intelligence Agency
Corrections & Court Systems
Education
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Health and Human Services
Highway & Street Construction and Maintenance
Housing & Community Development
Legislators
Library
Media
Museums & Archives
Paralegal Profession
Parks & Recreation
Peace Corps/Vista
Police & Fire Protection
Political Parties
Politics
Public Interest Groups
Research foundations
Schools and Universities
Social & Welfare Services
State and Local Governments
Transportation
Travel and tour services

History Major Skills
Analyzing ideas and information
Decision making
Developing a world view
Examining evidence
Explaining Ideas
Explaining the present by referring to the past
Interpreting events and ideas
Seeing relationships between factors
Writing and presenting information


Professional Organizations & Associations
American Association of Museums
American Association for State and Local History
The American Cultural Resources Association
American Historical Association
ICOM: International Council of Museums
National Association for Museum Exhibitions
Organization of American Historians
Professional Organizations for History Majors

Society for American Archaeology
The Society of Architectural Historians
SouthEastern Museums Conference