What are you going to do with that major? Some employers know the value of a liberal arts degree but many do not. So what can you do with a history degree? Modern German History taught me that good history must try to answer the question "So What?" A friend of mine, a nurse, once cared for a patient who had gone into a scientific field because her parents insisted on it. In 2018, Ohanian told The Observer that "getting training in how to synthesize a broad range of ideas into a cohesive story and then communicat[ing] that story is something that my degree really helped me with." An understandable concern in today's economic environment. Here's the good news: While a history degree emphasizes knowledge about the past, it also builds skills that are useful in today's workforce. As a history major, I attended an historic preservation institute. What are your job prospects with a Ph.D. in history? © 2020 BestColleges.com a Red Ventures Company, Top 25 Accredited Online Colleges and Universities, Graphic Design, Film, Web Design, Game Design, Photography, Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, Finance, Marketing, Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Web Development, Cyber Security, Paralegal, Legal Studies, Criminology, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Elementary Education, Social Work, History, Communications, Writing, Political Science, Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Nutritional Sciences, RN to BSN, Forensic Psychology, Family Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Ministry, Christian Counseling, Bible Colleges. In fact, education, the legal field, and business make up around half of all careers with a history degree. Humanities majors generally earn lower salaries than engineering or business majors. For the first time I was challenged to the point where I had to struggle just to remain average. Even in my first internship, my boss was completely surprised at my abilities to write whatever was needed at any moment and to edit meticulously. How creative are you at integrating it into a career plan? Mapping Your Path from Chaos to Career. Other career paths history majors pursue, however — including sales and administration — usually don't require more than an undergraduate degree. A history student must craft a persuasive argument backed by evidence from primary and secondary sources, often drawing on quantitative and qualitative materials to make their case. I have always loved History and do well in it. A background in history gives you perspectives on a variety of topics, which can help you draw comparisons to current trends and issues. The following section highlights the role of an archivist, academic requirements, and the characteristics that make it a fascinating and valuable career. I look forward to honing the listed skills but I do doubt my ability to find a job after college. I appreciate this article much and look forward to the next. History improved my writing and critical thinking skills and taught me to prepare and critique research. Alexis Ohanian, cofounder of Reddit, says a history degree helps tech professionals. You’ve dedicated your college years to studying the past, and now it’s time to put your hard-earned skills to work in the present. Students should pick something that they are interested in for a major. The Economic Value of College Majors finds that different undergraduate majors result in very different earnings. Jobs Related to a History Degree. The ability to argue persuasively, conduct research, and think critically can help professionals in any field. However, the salaries of jobs for history majors vary greatly depending on the field. What are the most common careers for history majors? Keith Randell, the founder of the Acress to History series, demonstrates that there is virtually no occasion in life when the study of History is irrelevant. 7 Basic Personality Ingredients of Difficult People, 14 More Questions to Deepen a Relationship, Psychology Today © 2020 Sussex Publishers, LLC, Inferring Psychiatric Illness Based on Digital Activity Crosses Milestone, Couples With Supportive Friends, Kin May Be More Likely to Divorce, Sleep Biomarkers and Alzheimer's Disease Risk, Music Achievement's Academic Perks Hold Up Under Scrutiny, Wealth or Waste? Katharine Brooks, Ed.D., is the Evans Family Executive Director of the Career Center at Vanderbilt University. Do history majors make less than other majors? Around 10% of all history majors work in sales, applying their powers of persuasion on customers. In addition to gaining in-depth knowledge about the past, you will acquire the soft skills that many employers value. The National Center for Education Statistics reports the median annual salary of history majors with a bachelor’s degree age 25 to 29 is $40,860, which is in the same range as graphic designers and physical science majors, and higher than … "However, most history … When one traces the continuum of events from the cold war era to where the US is today (geopolitically) the information seems even more relevant than ever. Roles in these areas can also be incredibly diverse. Top 18 Cheap Online Master's in History - Best Value Schools Majoring in history does not doom a graduate to a life of unemployment or underemployment. Looking back, I ate, drank, breathed and lived anything that pertained to … (When I was a freshman in the seventies, students were actually being warned than engineering degrees were not in demand! And it isn’t enough to appreciate the degree yourself. A history degree strengthens all of these skills. I'm all for career-specific degrees when the individual is interested in the subject and will enjoy the career they lead to. "No one in my family had ever worked in business beforehand," Wojcicki explained. Like most liberal arts majors, a history major doesn’t necessarily have a linear, direct path to a career. If not, better to take a little time exploring what's out there and experimenting with different majors and careers. Because an undergraduate degree in history provides numerous career options, it’s worth focusing on a specific career related to history to better understand the value of this area of study. These demands strengthen skills like communication, which is increasingly valuable in the workplace. Alexis Ohanian, cofounder of Reddit, says a history degree helps tech professionals. Maybe back in the day, when employers wanted well-rounded individuals and there was not such an overwhelming surplus of college-educated students to so few jobs, it was worth it to major in history. Oh sure, some people teach history, and there are history-related jobs like museum or archive work (which generally require graduate degrees), or even titles like corporate historian-- but after naming those fields, which offer limited opportunities, most people are stuck. Either you're speaking about your own failings in life or you got a little too much Charlie Brown in you. I recently received an email from a young reader who read my blog about the value of a Classics major and expressed surprise and excitement that one could major in ancient history. If you think your history major is invaluable, you’re right.”. And I like how you posted your negativity under anonymous...... Nice touch. A “dog on a bone” for information. History degree graduates have the potential to excel in these roles due to their knowledge of the importance of history and a desire to preserve it for the benefit of mankind, today and in the future. To paraphrase Henry Ford, “If you think your history major is a waste, you’re right. A postgraduate degree might also help offset a lack of experience when applying for this kind of role. Government. Most people overlook the value of a history major in preparing an intelligent person for a career in business. Contrary to popular belief, jobs for history majors aren't limited to academia. The Value of Studying History. The U.S. Census Bureau has reported that those with bachelor's degrees earn nearly 2 million dollars, associate's d… Like any bachelor's degree, earning a history degree is an investment — and ACS data shows it pays off. My thesis from a Texas history class ultimately led to a publication by a major book publisher. Sure sounds like a valuable use of their time and money. ©2012 Katharine Brooks. Historians in non-tenure track positions make up 16% of graduates, while private sector, government, and non-profit jobs make up 18%. Other common jobs, like education and community and social services, offer average salaries below $50,000. The History Department's Undergraduate Program consists of 16 courses in history (six lower-division - the "Preparation for the Major," including the pre-major requirements; and ten upper-division - the "Major"). The many benefits resulting from college education usually justifies the money spent obtaining a degree. History majors in managerial positions earn $80,000 per year on average, while those in legal fields earn $100,000. They work in government, administration, and public services, fields that require strong communication and writing skills. The Wall Street Journal recently published an article, Wealth or Waste? And getting a degree in engineering or business is not a guarantee than one will become wealthy, or even that one will be consistently employed. Liberal arts majors were quite successful in their lives after college--much more so than the popular media would suggest. They include writing, critical thinking, and organizational skills. The young woman was so unhappy that she tried to kill herself by drinking drain cleaner. The jobs you can get with a history degree go beyond law, education, and business to include opportunities in tech, financial services, and healthcare. It was something that needed to happen. Unless you want to become a professor, it's fair to say that you don't need a graduate degree in history to succeed in today's workforce. But most jobs don't care if you can recite the U.S. presidents in order or recall the date the Western Roman Empire fell. Knowing the value of oral history and remembering the past as it affected individuals and societies. A few years ago I taught a “History Majors in the Workplace” course at UT, and during one of the class exercises I asked my students to describe the characteristics of a “successful” history major. Tweet; Written by Lt. Shannon Reck, M'17. Students are divided into small groups and presented with a selection of different sources of … History majors work in every sector. A History Degree Is Versatile, Marketable, and Potentially Lucrative! I do have my doubts about this at my age as I don't have time for another "do over". A history degree also develops the research and writing skills you need to effectively write for journals, newspapers, magazines, and blogs. Many history majors pursue a graduate degree, but grad school might not be the best path for everyone. “The value of traditional CVs and resumes is rapidly fading as the value of educational certifications and degrees in the workplace … To kill herself by drinking drain cleaner are interested in for a major, I definitely! 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