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History

Occupational Possibilities

The study of history prepares majors for successful careers in a variety of fields. Some of the listed occupations, such as costume designer, may require additional skills or related training. Careers usually requiring additional graduate study are marked with an *.

Business and Industry

  • Financial analyst
  • Personnel manager
  • Sales/Marketing representative
  • Security officer
  • Loan administrator
  • Insurance agent
  • Corporate trainer
  • *Operations research analyst
  • Travel agent/planner
  • Small business owner
  • Affirmative Action officer
  • Business administrator
  • Human resources manager

Government and Public Sector

  • Policy analyst
  • Paralegal
  • Political campaign coordinator
  • *Historic preservation specialist
  • *Attorney
  • Customs investigator
  • Intelligence specialist
  • *Urban planner
  • Politician
  • Legislative aide
  • *City manager
  • Association executive
  • *Information specialist

Communications

  • Public relations representative
  • Technical writer
  • Research/Technical advisor (films/TV)
  • Columnist/Journalist/Commentator
  • Editor (e.g. textbook, newspaper)
  • Costume designer
  • Journal circulation assistant
  • Acquisitions editor
  • Production manager
  • Advertising account executive
  • Copywriter

Education and Research

  • *Archivist
  • Teacher
  • *Museum curator/museum staff
  • Genealogist
  • *Librarian
  • Biographer
  • *Preservation specialist
  • Foundation administrator
  • *Professor
  • *Researcher
  • *College administrator
  • Historian
  • *Political scientist

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Skills and Abilities

Students majoring in history examine and attempt to interpret all aspects of human life and its recorded expressions. By so doing, a variety of skills are developed which may be valuable in many different types of occupations. The skills listed below are representative of areas such as critical thinking, organization of ideas and supporting documentation, writing, and analysis which are developed through a history major.

A wide spectrum of occupations may utilize these particular skills. For example, while a policy analyst, an underwriter, and a museum curator might use critical thinking for different purposes, each will probably use that skill on a daily basis.

Communication

  • Explaining ideas
  • Describing and evaluating issues/problems/events
  • Observing and comparing people/data/things
  • Compiling research reports
  • Interpreting events/ideas
  • Summarizing
  • Writing and presenting information clearly

Cross-cultural Society

  • Analyzing impact of problems on society
  • Knowledge of how societies cope with change
  • Explaining the present by referring to the past
  • Developing a world view

Research

  • Analyzing ideas/information
  • Organizing materials/ideas
  • Compiling and evaluating information
  • Comparing/contrasting ideas and information
  • Adapting ideas
  • Understanding or interpreting the present and the past
  • Examining evidence
  • Interviewing

Project Development

  • Developing/generating ideas and projects
  • Planning
  • Organizing materials/information
  • Seeing relationships between factors
  • Decision making



Career Planning and Resources

Internships

Job Search

Professional Associations

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For More Information

...about careers, graduate and professional schools, internships, professional associations, or job descriptions contact:

University Career Center
110 Burge Union
(785) 864-3624

For information about majors and concentrations in history:

History Department
3001 Wescoe Hall
(785) 864-3569

 

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