What Can I Do With a Major In History?

• Department of History
  • History at Work
• Phi Alpha Theta, History Honor Society

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

And connect with your Career Consultant!

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.

• 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.

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:

• 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

• 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