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.
Class of 2021 Career Outcomes for History*
** Includes Self-Employed
Campus Resources
To find additonal clubs and organizations, visit the Center for Student Organizations.
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
- My Next Move
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Career Insider: Vault Guides
- Candid Career - View professionals speaking about their careers
Employment Websites
General:
Federal Careers:
- Go Government - Click on "Find Your Fit" and then "Browse Information by Agency"
- Department of the Interior
- National Archives and Records Administration
- Smithsonian Institution
- Library of Congress
Professional Associations/Resources
- American Historical Association
- American Association for State and Local History
- American Association of Museums
- The World History Association
- Organization of American Historians
- History Cooperative
- National Council on Public History
- Royal History Society
- Digital History
- U.S. History
- National Council for History Education
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 |
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 |