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 2023 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 Title Reported by Class of 2023 History majors

The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2023 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)
ABLE Kids Registered Behavioral Technician
AmeriCorps Team Leader
AmeriCorps Crew Member
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Clerk
Biveck Rubaker and Prescott LLC Assistant
Brighton Sales Representative
Burlington Police Department Police Officer
Double the Donation Client Success Specialist
Federal Public Defender Legal Assistant
Gwinnett Clinic Lab Tech Assistant
Jackson County Georgia State Court Deputy Clerk
Morgan County Charter School System 6th Grade English Teacher
National Organization for Women Representative
NCR Corporation Associate Business Consultant
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Not Specified
Paulding County School District Teacher
RVF International Auxiliar de Conversation
Savannah Country Day School Teaching Fellow
Snowflake Sales Development Representative
Southeastern Engineering, Inc Construction Inspector
Technical College System of Georgia LMI Specialist
* 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 2023 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 2023 History majors

The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2023 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)
Athens Technical College Electrical Construction Systems Technology, Certificate
DePaul University Education, Master's
Emory University Law, JD
Georgia State University Law, JD
Mercer University Unspecified Professional Program
New York University Law, JD
Samford University Law, JD
Sciences Po Public Policy, Master's
The Johns Hopkins University Museum Studies, MA
University of Georgia Historic Preservation, MHP
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia History, MA
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia History, MA
University of Georgia Public Administration, MPA
University of Georgia Public Administration, MPA
University of Georgia Education, MS
University of Georgia Social Studies Education, MAT
University of Georgia Social Studies Education, MEd
University of North Georgia Secondary Education Teaching, MA
University of South Florida Social Science Education, Master's
University of Virginia Law, JD
Uniwersytet Wroclawski Public History, Degree Not Specified
William & Mary Law School Law, JD
* denotes no responses received.