Careers in History*
Possible careers the study of history can lead to include:
- Education—elementary, secondary, or postsecondary teachers
- Research—in museum, historical organizations, or think tanks
- Communication—writing and editing, journalism, producing of documentaries and multimedia material
- Information Management—archivists, librarians, information managers
- Advocacy –lawyers, paralegals, litigation support, legislative staff work, foundation work
- Business—corporations and nonprofit associations
*Adapted from the AHA website
For more information on specific careers for history majors, please visit the American Historical Association.
Why Study History?
A searching, open-ended, and skeptical spirit of inquiry animates the contemporary historical profession and shapes both teaching and research. The goal of history education goes beyond the desire to impart to students a fixed body of historical knowledge. By its very nature, historical knowledge on any given subject is never fixed, but rather open to continuing acts of discovery and redefinition. This reflects not simply the process of unearthing previously hidden historical evidence, but also the fact that historians are constantly reexamining our understanding of what constitutes such evidence and asking new questions of it. The study of history seeks to develop the habits of historical thinking that students can use throughout their lives and is therefore of benefit to students regardless of their future career plans. The ability to collect, analyze, and present the evidence behind a persuasive argument, whether verbally or in writing, is recognized as an essential skill in law, business, and diplomacy – and, indeed, in life itself.
Updated 2021
