UGA Specific Information for History

History is the study and research of major social, economic, political and cultural events of the past. A sound component of liberal arts education, history serves practical needs by providing solid background for pursuing graduate studies or a career in law, education, business, advertising, ministry, journalism, government service, or preservation. The history major meets an important need for the business world by providing the ability to analyze and write effectively, and by developing a sense of balanced judgment. For those who choose to teach, the major provides necessary subject-matter content. Finally, the history major prepares student for professional careers that require a satisfactory acquisition of knowledge and skills related to the study of the past.



Class of 2024 Career Outcomes for History*

** Includes Self-Employed


Campus Resources


Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations

SKILLS

The study of history allows for the development of a core set of skills sought after by employers in a wide range of occupational settings. A sample of representative skills and abilities are outlined below.

Communication

  • Analytical writing
  • Writing concisely
  • Editing
  • Drafting documents
  • Reading critically
  • Assessing conflicting viewpoints
  • Summarizing and presenting information
  • Public speaking

Research

  • Using original sources
  • Defining problems
  • Formulating and assessing hypotheses
  • Creating research designs
  • Gathering and analyzing information
  • Interpreting data
  • Evaluating evidence and results

Critical Thinking

  • Understanding complex factors within problems
  • Perceiving patterns/structures
  • Comparing/contrasting interpretations
  • Assessing cultural differences
  • Understanding different cultural contexts

SAMPLE INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

  • Newspapers and Magazines (student papers, Washington Post)
  • National Park Service
  • The White House
  • Historical preservation offices
  • Museums (e.g. Smithsonian museums, National Museum of Health and Science)
  • U.S. or State Congress
  • Research institutes/Think Tanks (e.g. Urban Institute, The Brookings Institute)
  • U. S. State Department
  • Nonprofit (e.g. Pathways for Mutual Respect, Oregon Bus Project)
  • Law offices
  • Political action committees (PACs) (e.g. Association of Trial Lawyers of America, National Education Association)

TIPS

  • Join LinkedIn groups that are related to your career interest. To search, select “groups” under the “interests” tab. Also, review the groups that professionals in your field of interest have joined and consider joining them as well.
  • A major in history provides a broad, liberal arts education. Develop a career goal, and then obtain the skills, experiences, and education necessary to enter that field.
  • An undergraduate degree in history is good preparation for graduate study in history, as well as other areas such as, law, public administration, or business. Research the prerequisites for the degree of interest and tailor program of study to meet curricular requirements.
  • Part-time and summer jobs, internships, and volunteer positions are critical to gaining the experience and skills that employers seek.
  • Obtain leadership roles in school or community organizations. Get involved in student government, mock trial, debate team, or Model United Nations.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills are imperative for most careers related to history, politics, or government.
  • Prepare to develop a specialty area including both academic training and work experience for history related careers. Develop patience, persistence, and drive to obtain history related jobs.
  • Gain experience in fundraising and grant writing techniques. Nonprofit and educational organizations are often funded in this manner.
  • Conduct informational interviews to learn about careers of interest and develop a network contacts.
  • Research websites and books that address various job opportunities, hiring processes, and pay structure.

Interested in graduate school? Find current information on getting into graduate school at UGA’s Career Center webpage.


Additional Career Research Resources

  • O*NET Online – The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities, and interests associated with over 900 occupations.  
  • My Next Move – An interactive tool for students and job seekers to learn more about their career options.  
  • Occupational Outlook Handbook – The OOH is a career resource offering information on the hundreds of occupations that provide most of jobs in the United States.  
  • Vault – Vault.com provides in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to work in an industry, company, or profession – and how to position yourself to land that job.  
  • Candid Career – This resource provides you with access to thousands of informational video interviews with real professionals through an easy-to-use website.  
  • UGA Mentor Program – Connect with a mentor (alumni, faculty, staff) to research and explore industries and careers. Research industries and careers by connecting with a mentor for a quick chat or formal 16-week mentorship through the UGA Mentor Program.  
  • Interstride - Interstride is an interactive tool for both international and domestic students to enhance their international experience and employment potential. The platform consists of job-listings, hiring trends, employer information, self-assessments, and up-to-date immigration guidance. 
  • Glassdoor - Glassdoor is a free jobs and career community that offers an inside look at jobs and companies through "employee generated content" – anonymous salaries, company reviews, interview questions, and more – all posted by employees and job seekers.  
  • Steppingblocks - Research your future career with real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with career and education searches designed to find your best path based on millions of others. It’s data-powered career exploration for doers like you.


Employment Websites

General:

  • Handshake (scroll down to the bottom of the page; login with your UGA MyID and password)  
  • LinkedIn (this popular networking site also has a job board!) 
  • Idealist (non-profit jobs) 
  • USAJobs (federal jobs) 

Federal Careers:


Professional Associations/Resources


Employers/Position Titles Reported by Class of 2024 History Majors

The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2024 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.

Employer Position Title(s)
American Express Analyst
Atlanta Archives Manuscript Archives Intern
Burnside Law Firm Legal Intern
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Medical Scribe
Clayton County School District Social Studies Teacher
Commerical construction company Outside Sales Associate
District Attorney's Office Clerk
Gardner Law Firm Legal Assistant
Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Watch Desk Analyst
Georgia Department of Human Services - Division of Family & Children Services IOTIS Support
Georgia Legal Services Program Outreach Paralegal
Georgia Spa Company Sales Professional
Glynn County School District High School Social Studies Teacher
Habitat for Humanity Executive Operations Manager
Hodgins & Kiber, LLC Case Manager
Moore Ingram Johnson & Steele Overflow Legal Assistant
RJ Corley Renovations Operations Manager
RS Industrial Accountant Trainee
Self-employed Entrepreneur
The Reynolds and Reynolds Company Sales Representative
Tufts University Supervisor of Business Operations
United States House of Representatives Congressional Intern
Vatic Outsourcing Mobility Management Specialist
Wells Fargo Associate
WestWind Energy Holdings Acquisitions Associate
* denotes no responses received.

*Source: Areas above marked with an Asterisk (*) have been created utilizing data taken from the UGA Career Outcomes Survey. The "Employers Hiring...," "Job Titles of...," "Career Outcomes for...," and "Graduate/Professional Schools and Programs..." information listed above represent UGA Class of 2024 Graduates. The lists are not exhaustive and therefore do not represent all potential career options. Click here for more detailed Career Outcomes information regarding this major.

Graduate/Professional Schools Attended by Class of 2024 History Majors

The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2024 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.

Graduate School Program(s)
Arizona State University History, MA
Clemson University Art Education, MA
Dalton State College Associate's Degree Not Specified
Georgetown University Law, JD
Georgia State University Communication Sciences and Disorders, MS
Georgia State University Law, JD
Georgia State University Law, JD
New York University International Relations, Master’s
University of Georgia Social Studies Education, Master’s
University of Georgia Social Studies Education, Master’s
University of Georgia Social Studies Education, MEd
University of Georgia Education, PhD
University of Georgia Learn Leader & Organiz Develop, MEd
University of Georgia Learning Design and Technology, MEd
University of Georgia Religion, MA
University of Georgia Teaching and Learning, Certificate
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia Historic Preservation, MHP
University of Georgia Historic Preservation, MHP
University of Georgia Historic Preservation, MHP
University of Georgia History, MA
University of Georgia History, MA
University of Georgia Public Administration, MPA
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Library Information Science, Degree Not Specified
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Master’s Program Not Specified
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Master’s Program Not Specified
University of Puerto Rico History, Degree Not Specified
University of West Georgia Public Administration, MPA
* denotes no responses received.