History

People with an interest in history often pursue careers in education at the K-12 or post-secondary level, library and museum work, historical preservation of buildings or technology, or state and federal government service. This service can include working at or being an administrator at local, state, or national parks, working in the State Department, or holding political office (often after receiving a law degree). A career in history can mean uncovering history on a dig site and working with anthropologists to enrich our knowledge of the past, serving as a consultant to assess the value of historical structures and landmarks that may be in the path of redevelopment, or writing books or blogs about history and becoming a media pundit.

As with other disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, an Associate’s Degree is just the beginning of one’s education. Most entry-level careers in history require a Bachelor’s Degree. Here are some examples:

• Archivist: someone who maintains an archive of historical documents, usually for a library or museum. Special training on handling and preserving old manuscripts or items is necessary.
• Educator: A K-12 teacher must often combine a degree in history with a degree or certification in education. Museums and Park Services also hire educators to explain the exhibits to visitors.
• Research Assistant: Many graduate students work at positions like these to gain knowledge in the field and see first-hand what is involved in writing articles and books, often while they are pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D. degree.

A Master’s Degree expands your career choices to teaching at the community-college level, serving as a museum director or curator (one who is in charge of obtaining items and staging exhibitions), an upper-level administrator at the state or national level, or a school administrator. To become a professor or an administrator at the college and university level, a Ph.D. is required.

Historians also often pursue higher education and careers in law, business, politics and government, and communications. The analytical, research, and communications skills a student gains by studying history are valuable assets for any top-level work in any field.

More information on history careers is available in the American Historical Association’s Why Study History? e-book.