What is a History Degree?
A history degree is a comprehensive study of past events, cultures, and societies. History gives the present a direction and adds context to current events. A history degree will give students a rich perspective on the world and offer several rewarding career opportunities.
A degree in history will typically cover foundational knowledge in areas such as:
- American history
- World history
- Major wars
- Forms of government
- Historical methods
Many history programs also include a minor in education so that graduates can teach in school or university contexts.
History offers many industry applications and therefore a wide variety of career options.
Career Opportunities with a History Degree
Here are some of the best career opportunities for history degree holders.
High School Teacher
Teaching high school is one of the most common career paths for history graduates. Teaching high school history can be a rewarding way to invest in the next generation while building a stable career.
Professor
Students who are especially passionate about history can teach history at the university level. Becoming a history professor typically requires an area of specialization and a graduate degree.
Archivist
The majority of what we know about history comes from records that have been preserved. Archivists work to authenticate and appraise historical documents or artifacts and archive them.
Curator
Museum curators use their extensive knowledge and creative touch to design and stock engaging displays. Becoming a museum curator is a great way to convey history to a broad audience.
Conservator
Conservators specialize in the preservation, restoration, and storage of historical documents and materials. A career as a conservator can allow you to work with rare items and manuscripts.
Researcher
History is an infinite subject that can be mined for new insights and principles. History researchers typically select an area or time period of interest and conduct a deep study of relevant records and writings.
Cultural Resource Manager
The history of any culture is a valuable resource that must be preserved and made suitably accessible to the public. Cultural resource managers will inspect historical sites and buildings to ensure that the public can benefit from these educational resources.
Corporate Historian
Corporate historians document and analyze the history of a specific company or organization. Corporate historians can identify trends and help optimize many different processes.
Historical Consultant
Historical consultants are knowledge workers that find work providing information for books, documentaries, and other forms of media. Historical consulting can be a good career choice for self-motivated individuals who enjoy building a professional network and sharing their knowledge.
Journalist
History graduates will have a broad perspective on the world and an extensive understanding of culture, government, and language. History graduates can become journalists that specialize in history or more general topics.
Industry Applications
History students may also want to consider their career options based on different industries. An industry may contain a range of related roles that can appeal to different students based on their personal interests and career goals.
Education and Academia
History students should ask themselves if they enjoy teaching. While there are differences between teaching at the high school and university level, both involve history education and will be a good fit for students who enjoy sharing their knowledge.
Museums, Archives, and Preservation
Historians who work in museums or archives typically work with historical documents and materials themselves. Working with rare and often fragile materials requires attention to detail and a sense of responsibility.
Government and Public Policy
The evolution of government in society is a major topic in history. History graduates will have a strong grasp of different forms of governance and the effects public policies have had in the past. History students will be well-positioned to inform government agencies on public policy.
Writing and Research
If you enjoy narrative and communication, using your history degree in the context of research or writing may be rewarding. Researchers seek to uncover stories, events, and perspectives that may not have been fully appreciated or understood.
Law
Much of legal studies rests on the idea of precedent. History students often excel in the law industry due to their ability to identify relevant cases, laws, and policies as they formulate effective cases.
Earn a History Degree at PBA
Palm Beach Atlantic University offers a cutting-edge Bachelor of Arts in History that can help you reach your career goals. Learn more about this exciting degree program and start your application today!
