Government Jobs For History Majors

A New Aha Database Tracks Careers Of Over 8000 History Phds

The American Historical Association has launched a database called, “Where Historians Work.” The interactive database catalogs the career outcomes of the 8,515 individuals who earned history PhDs from 2004-13. An accompanying feature article in Perspectives on History highlights major findings in the data. “Where Historians Work” is the fullest picture of PhD careers available in any discipline and signals the AHAs commitment to transparency and breadth in discussions of careers for history PhDs. Its interactive features allow users to see broad employment trends both inside and beyond the academy and assess how factors such as gender, field of study, and degree-granting institution affect career outcomes.

How To Get Hired In Public Relations

If youre breaking into the PR industry, you might consider an internship. This can be a good way to gain experience.

Networking will be essential here too! Think about it. Networking is an essential part of PR work: meeting journalists, pitching stories, and building relationships with key stakeholders. So why wouldnt it be a vital part of getting in too?

Sample Job Titles with Average Salaries

Where Can You Work As A History Professional

History majors can begin careers in many fields. Historians may find work with government agencies, developers, and museums, helping shape educational programs and exhibitions. Some industries or states may offer more lucrative opportunities salary potential varies depending on demand and cost of living.

Recommended Reading: What Is Government Mortgage Relief Program

How To Get Hired

Learn More About Possible Career Paths: Visit your college career center to map out potential career paths. Consider your interests, skills, and abilities and how they connect with possible careers.

Always Be Networking: Connect with alumni in fields of interest and request informational interviews. Attend job fairs, join clubs, and seek out internships in your field.

Build Your Skillset: Once youve identified a possible career, find the gaps in your skillset and that of successful professionals in the field. Fill the gap by taking classes, finding mentors, and volunteering for projects.

Minors That Complement A History Degree

Because history covers so many topics and can apply to so many industries, there are many options that you can take. A minor can help focus your studies on the profession that most interests you or provide you with additional skills to enhance your job prospects.

A minor in journalism is especially useful for history majors, as it ensures you have vital skills in research and communication. The combination of historical knowledge and journalistic skills makes you even more effective in both fields. Other minors commonly paired with a history degree include business, political science, philosophy, and foreign languages.

You May Like: Best Buy Government Employee Discount

Continuing Education And Certifications

History is a valuable academic pursuit, and itâs also a strategic basis for continued study in a range of disciplines. Those who earn an undergrad degree in history can go on to do graduate work in history, finance, geography, anthropology, law, political science, data science, business, library science, non-profit management, diplomacy, international relations, etc.

There are also plenty of career opportunities for those who enter the workforce with a bachelorâs degree. In some cases, additional certifications are required. These are some roles that require such certifications:

• Archivists must take an exam to earn their certification, which requires renewal every five years, according to the Academy of Certified Archivists.

• Paralegals in some states and for some employers are required to earn licenses to work professionally.

• Junior high or high school history teachers may need to do additional work and earn a certification to qualify for the role. The website Tobecomeateacher.org explains: âCompleting a teacher education program, as well as student-teaching experience, are requirements before an individual qualifies to apply for a license or certification to teach in their state of residence.â

• School librarians generally need a Masterâs Degree in library science along with a state license.

Best Jobs For History Majors:

Finding a good job is the best thing, but if you find a job which you are passionate about would be like icing on the cake. Not everybody will be fortunate enough to get a job which they like. There are many people who do jobs which do not interest them but still do it for several reasons.

Now if you are one who loves history subject and has history majors degree then you will be glad to know that here are several career options which pay you well and even let you enjoy your work. Let us have a look at them,

Don’t Miss: What Government Grants Are Available

How To Become An Archaeologist

Check out the federal job banks mentioned above. If youre still studying, consider throwing an archaeology course into your schedule. Building competencies in surveying, conservation techniques, and GIS can all help, and you can do courses in these. You can also volunteer on an archaeological dig somewhere in the world to get the basics. I did one in Israel. It was an amazing experience!

Sample Job Title with Average Salaries

Theres a HUGE range in Archaeologist salaries. This is because people at the bottom end are basically glorified landscapers while people at the top end of the spectrum are highly-specialized experts. So its really hard to give examples when some archaeologists make $20/hour and some make $100k/year. Heres the best averages I could find.

Did you know that the website ancestry.com is worth around $3 billion?

Not bad for a database of historical records.

Data is the new currency, my friend, including ancestral data. You just need to figure out how to market it. But in a world where people are swabbing their mouths and sending it off to labs to find out truths about their history, somebody who knows about history could be in demand if they play their cards right.

Quick Job Search Tips For History Majors

Be proactive about your job search. You donât have to wait until you have your degree in hand to start working towards your first professional role. Learn to talk about your skillset, and to describe how your academic skills relate to the job market. Hone your elevator pitch, a clear, concise articulation of your professional experience and plan.

Prepare your candidacy package, which includes your resume, cover letter and Glassdoor profile. Clearly, you canât job search without these vital pieces. They are also valuable because they give you the chance to reflect on what youâve learned and to think deeply about how thatâs shaped your skills and ambitions.

One challenge for history majors is that the skills that you absorb are somewhat abstract, and part of your role as an interviewee is to demonstrate and explain how your academic basis correlates to the professional world. History professor and AHA member Sarah Shurts writes: âHistory graduates are well positioned for a broad variety of career paths, something employers will recognize as students learn to translate their skills into a language that employers understand.â

Pursuing a history major is hard work, and it yields key professional skills. Get comfortable touting those.

You May Like: Suing The Federal Government For Constitutional Violations

Who Can I Go To To Learn More

Professors & Academic Deans

Georgetown professors and faculty members can be a wonderful resource for Georgetown students. If you are still curious to learn more about the disciplines of a specific major, wed encourage you to connect with your professors! Outside of office hours, Georgetown has an online interface called GU360 where students can explore and connect with faculty members that are eager to mentor and support students. You can use this interface to learn more about specific department research, specialties, and areas of study within a major.

You can also connect with your academic dean or counselor to further discuss opportunities within a given major.

Lastly, each department has a dedicated Director of Undergraduate Studies . This is the individual in charge of coordinating the major program or department as a whole. You can find the Director of Undergraduate Studies by exploring the faculty and staff pages of individual departments websites.

Alumni

Connecting with alumni is a fantastic way to explore a day in the life of any given major student. There are several different ways to connect with Georgetown Alums. Hoya Gateway is Georgetowns premier networking platform which connects alumni and students to have meaningful conversations and build a strong network of support. This is a platform alumni opt into with the sole purpose of supporting current students, which means there is an extremely high response rate.

Career Center Staff

What Will I Learn In A History Degree

The short answer? A lot! The diverse skill set that a history degree provides allows for many career paths in many sectors.

I mean, sure, you might come away from your classes being able to recite the dates of historical events, know the names of past world leaders, and tell your friends all about the societal implications of the Industrial Revolution, but theres so much more to a history degree. Studying the past helps us understand the present and plan for the future. The research and analysis skills you gain through your studies are arguably more important than the specific facts you memorize.

To generate information and conclusions, a history major learns to find and evaluate sources. Historians choose information from primary and secondary sources. They gauge reliability, accuracy, and point of view. One key point that researchers look for is a connection between sources. If two sources make the same claim, there is a reasonable expectation that the information is accurate and reliable.

A history major develops a wide range of useful skills. This includes effective writing and clear and engaging communication. It gives students critical analysis skills, vital for in decision-making, allowing the graduate to succeed in many careers with a history degree.

Read Also: Government Benefits For Legally Blind

Get Started With An Online History Degree

If youve decided that a bachelors degree in history is the right path for you, then check out these 100% online and fully accredited options to find the best program to fit your educational needs and career goals.

With an online degree, you can earn an education while balancing work, family, and social demands. Many programs offer flexible scheduling and an accelerated pace designed for busy adults. Whether your interests lie in military history, museum studies, European history, or another area altogether, you can find a history program thats a perfect fit. Your education will open the door to these many, varied history major jobs.

Get The Most Out Of Your History Degree

With such a broad range of possibilities, its a good idea to start to determine what path you want to take after graduation while youre still in school. Will a specific concentration or minor help your job prospects? Maybe an internship or other experience like working for the school newspaper or joining student government will give you a leg up on the competition. As youve seen, many occupations also require additional education. You will need to determine what certifications, training, or graduate degrees are expected in your field.

Recommended Reading: Federal Government Watch List Search

Most Common First Jobs For History Majors

History majors have a range of career opportunities available to them once they earn their bachelorâs degree. History majors hone a versatile expertise, and because of that they can work in a variety of different fields like legal, education, sales and management.

These are some common jobs that history majors assume, once they have earned their bachelorâs degrees:

Glassdoor salary range: $37,000-$80,000

What Is It Like To Study Government Actually

Students majoring in government will engage in the systematic study of government and of political structures, processes, institutions and policies. Government majors utilize quantitative, historical, and philosophical approaches. This diverse field encompasses American government, political theory, international relations, and comparative government. Students who major in government will be armed with additional tools that help them to better evaluate, advance, and refute political arguments. These tools involve logical analysis, causal inference, research skills, and effective communication of ideas

Through the development of writing, analytical and critical thinking skills, the government major will be prepared for jobs in and out of government. Government jobs exist at the federal, state and local levels. Relevant positions are also available in nonprofit organizations and the business sector. A major in government is a strong background for advanced study in a variety of fields, including law, political science, history, and public policy.

The information in the graphic below was sourced from a variety of information. It is NOT an exhaustive list. These options are just to serve as a jumping off point to exploration into career possibilities.

The study of government allows for the development of a core set of skills sought after by employers in a wide range of occupational settings. Throughout your experience in the program, you will obtain the following skills:

Recommended Reading: How To Cash Government Check Without Id

How To Get Hired As A Genealogist

In addition to your history degree, you could add a Certified Genealogist or Accredited Genealogist credential. You might also build experience doing archival research or database work, you could add this to your degree if youre still studying. But, once again, contact some people currently working in genealogical research. Its a smaller, more specialized area. Be clear on what your job prospects are and the likelihood of getting hired.

Sample Job Titles with Average Salaries

Like Archaeologists, theres a huge range in what Genealogists make. Entry-level researchers might make $20/hour. Plus, because there are fewer genealogists, its harder to find the salary data. So heres the skinny from the Economic Research Institute.

Careers For History Majors

Through clear graphs and informal prose, readers will find hard data, practical advice, and answers to common questions about the study of history and the value it affords to individuals, their workplaces, and their communities. A resource for intellectual exploration and personal inspiration, it includes a statement shaped by cooperating faculty at over 100 colleges and universities describing the abilities and habits of mind that students develop in history programs at diverse institutions. The booklets contributors include alumni working in a wide range of fields and occupations as well as professional historians. Together, they suggest ways that todays college students can prepare themselves to bring historical thinking to bear in solving tomorrows problems.

Current and prospective students, and their families, will discover an array of useful materials inside, as will career and academic advisers, faculty, program administrators, and staff. General readers can explore statistics, personal stories, and reflections on the many ways that a disciplined knowledge of the pastas well as the skills it takes to understand and communicate that pastempowers individuals to contribute and thrive in their academic, work, and civic lives.

For more resources from the American Historical Association, please visit historians.org/whystudyhistory.

Read Also: Verizon Wireless Government Phone Number

Editor And Content Manager

Editors must have the critical eye of the English major as they review submissions for magazine and book publishers. They provide critical notes and directives for revisions to writers. Content managers and online editors need to evaluate the writing ability of potential contributors, often freelance writers, and provide feedback and direction.

Editors, like English majors, must know their audience and plan for communications that will appeal to their readers. They must be able to set and abide by deadlines in order to produce publications on schedule.

Salary: According to PayScale, editors earn an average annual salary of $52,403 and content managers earn an average annual salary of $59,076.

Read More About Public Health On Bestcolleges

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Read Also: How To Get Us Government Security Clearance

How To Become A Content Strategist

For any of these roles, youll need to find a place that you can create content. This might even be on a personal blog to start, but for a career, youll eventually need to cut your teeth in an organization. Try to find some places to do guest posts, and create a portfolio of your work. Then start doing informational interviews and networking with other content creators and with organizations that need content.

Sample Job Titles with Average Salaries

What Are Some Popular History Major Jobs

History majors job options span a wide range of sectors, including at nonprofit organizations, corporations, and in state, local, or federal government.

Because of the breadth of skills developed when earning a history degree including analyzing information, understanding the context of civil and social affairs, conducting thorough research, and communicating effectively graduates can adapt to the needs of many different jobs.

History majors may deal with broad topics or explore specific subjects within their area of interest. The nature of a graduates specific career path will determine how much additional training is necessary.

Read Also: California Government Tort Claim Form

Teaching English As A Second Language

English majors develop a solid command of the English language, including grammar and vocabulary. They are well positioned to pursue graduate work and qualify as an ESL instructor domestically in the public school system or at a college.

In addition, English majors are recruited as English teachers directly out of college by international language organizations, including the Peace Corps, as well as language schools abroad.

Salary: According to Glassdoor, ESL teachers earn an average annual salary of $45,544.