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Students approach me every year with the above
sentiment. I imagine there are many more who ask the same question,
then give themselves the discouraging answer: “I can’t do anything
with a history major, so I guess I’ll just major in ____.” I
understand this reasoning. In fact, I had a similar conversation
with myself in 1984 when I started college. I only became a history
major in my junior year (after I had first majored in biology, then
psychology, then religion). I have not once regretted my decision
to major in history since I made that switch over a decade ago. I
have also learned that the answer to the big question, “What can I
do when I graduate?” is: anything you want to do!
Let’s face it, there are people who do not enjoy the study of
history. Personally, I don’t understand them, but I accept that
this is the case. But there are also those who either come to
college with a great love and appreciation of history, or become
inspired in that first world civilization class (it happens) and
start thinking they would like to devote a large part of their
education to the discipline. There is, nevertheless, always someone
(friend, family member, legislator) who says: “It’s okay to like
history; just don’t major in it, because you’ll never get a job.”
Therefore, I am writing this to provide another point of view: it’s
great to major in history. Below is just a sampling of the
opportunities available to history majors after graduation.
Teaching
This, of course, is the route that I took. But to teach at the
collegiate level these days, one has to complete a doctorate in
history. Personally, I recommend it, but many people would prefer
to teach at the secondary level. For those of you who have this
goal, what can I say? You are some of the most important people in
our society. You will help to shape young minds in some of the most
crucial years of adolescence, and for that, I commend you and thank
you. History, of course, is a terrific major for those seeking
employment as a secondary teacher.
But I don’t want to teach...
I understand; and, frankly, we don’t want you to teach unless you
have a burning desire to do so. But history is still a great major
for you as well. The opportunities are limitless. For
instance:
Law school
Applications to law schools across the country have skyrocketed in
the last couple of decades, and it certainly is a competitive
career to pursue. History is an excellent major for undergraduates
who plan that route. Knowledge of history is assumed in law school.
One cannot grasp the legal system without a firm historical base,
so history majors have a solid preparation for legal study.
Public history and historic preservation
These are fast-growing fields in our country and many history
majors find employment after college in these areas. Museums,
historical societies, national parks, official historic sites, and
tourism bureaus all need employees with a knowledge of history.
Scholarly presses hire history graduates as sales representatives,
editors, copy editors, and researchers. Libraries, archives, state
and local historical societies, and government offices all hire
history majors with increasing regularity. And in recent years, a
real spark has been put into efforts to save historical landmarks.
Historic preservation societies and organizations have sprung up
all over the country and are looking for well-trained workers to
help protect this country’s cultural and physical heritage.
Christian ministry
A lot of people assume that if you want to go into the ministry,
you need to be a religion major. But bear in mind you’ll get all
the theology you need in your divinity school; some divinity
schools actually prefer undergraduate study in some other
discipline for the breadth of mind necessary for successful
ministry. Nothing fits this billing better than history.
Communications
History majors are well prepared in the art of communication. And
with the communications field exploding in the past decade with the
introduction of the Internet, hundreds of cable channels, and a
variety of other new technologies, employment opportunities abound
for those who not only know how to say something, but who also have
something to say. Movies, television programs, news programs,
newspapers, and magazines all require people with solid
communication and research skills. History majors are especially
suited for these areas.
Government
Federal, state, and local governments are the largest employers in
the nation. These have positions for college graduates with and
without particular degree specialties. They look for graduates
skilled in critical thinking, research, communications, and with an
understanding of how the system works. History majors have an
advantage over other applicants in that these skills are essential
to the discipline.
Business and industry
A myth perpetrated upon our nation’s college students is that a
business degree is necessary for a job in business and industry. If
you love accounting, finance, or marketing, then great, major in
business. But these are not required for students to enter the
business world. Most corporations want independent thinkers who
know how to find information and apply it to the tasks at hand.
Many want people who have knowledge of other countries and other
cultures. What better major than history to prepare a student for
all of these opportunities? Corporations will train their employees
in the nuts and bolts of how the business works — this includes
business majors as well as others — so it is not absolutely
necessary to have that training going in the door. History is an
excellent discipline for those interested in business.
Yeah, these are great, but what else do
you have?
Careers for history majors are only limited by their own
imaginations. I know history majors who became artists, small
business owners, military officers, insurance agents, bankers,
politicians, restauranteurs, lobbyists, archivists, doctors,
musicians, city planners, architects, writers, newspaper editors,
physical therapists, professional athletes, actors, social workers,
travel agents, and retired millionaires (and I don’t know that many
people, so imagine what else is out there). The next time someone
asks, “What can I do with a history major?” say to them, “You can
become a leader of your society who is well educated, interesting,
informed, reasonable, and employed!”
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