What Can I Do With a Major In History?

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.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW EMPLOYERS/POSITION TITLES and GRADUATE SCHOOLS/PROGRAMS REPORTED FOR THIS MAJOR

Class of 2021 Career Outcomes for History*

** Includes Self-Employed

Campus Resources

To find additonal clubs and organizations, visit the Center for Student Organizations.

And connect with your Career Consultant!

Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations/Considerations

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.

Supplemental Career Research Dashboard

Additional Career Research Resources

Employment Websites

General:

Federal Careers:

Professional Associations/Resources

Employers/Position Title Reported by Class of 2021 History majors

The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2021 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)
Alithya Marketing Intern
Alithya Marketing Intern
Alithya Marketing Intern
Alithya Marketing Intern
Athens Retina Center Assistant
City of Jamestown Investor Relations Analyst
Dekalb County Certified Teacher
Gwinnett County Teacher
Gwinnett County Substitute Teacher
Gwinnett County Park and Recreation
Gwinnett County Substitute Teacher
Gwinnett County Social Studies Teacher
Gwinnett County History Teacher
Keller Williams Reality Inc. Realtor
Metal , Petal Manager
PepsiCo Administrative Assistant
Rabin Real Estate Executive Associate
Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe Restaurant Shift Manager
Trenton Systems Sales Support Specialist
Turning Sun School Classroom Educator
University of Georgia Admissions Office - Administrative Assistant I
US Army Second Lieutenant
Woodberry Forest School Alumni Engagement and Communications Officer
Woodruff Property Management Assistant Property Manager
Yardi Systems Associate Account Executive
Yardi Systems Associate Account Executive
Yardi Systems Associate Account Executive
* 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 2021 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 2021 History majors

The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2020 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)
Agnes Scott College Writing & Digital Communication, MFA
Brenau University Communication and Media Studies, Master's
Campbell University Law, JD
George Washington University Law School Law, JD
Georgia College and State University Teaching, Secondary Education, MAT
Georgia Film Academy Media Editing, Certificate
Georgia Institute of Technology Public Policy, MS
Georgia State University Law, JD
Georgia State University Law, JD
Lewis & Clark Law School Law, JD
Mercer University Law, JD
Middle Georgia State University History, BA
New England Law School Law, JD
Not Specified Law, JD
University of Colorado Denver Management, MS
University of Edenborough Philosophy, MA
University of Georgia Social Studies Education, M.Ed.
University of Georgia Anthropology, MA
University of Georgia Middle Grades Education, MAT
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia MAT Program, MSEd
University of Georgia Middle Grades Education, MS
University of Georgia Education, MA
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia Urban Planning and Design, MUPD
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of North Carolina Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, MA
Vanderbilt University Law, JD
* denotes no responses received.

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