What career can I have with a history degree?

Answer 1

Pretty much anything you set your mind on, excluding careers in the sciences (unless you fancy doing another degree on top of the one you have?).

Obvious things related to history, such as curator, librarian, teacher, historian, though most of those will require further study at masters level. You could train to be a journalist, work in the media, work in Higher Education, work in sales or marketing (again a marketing qualification helps). The sky is the limit.

What's probably best is for you to start thinking 'what do you want to do'? Make a list of all the jobs you've ever found interesting - even jobs you might have fancied when you were a child (astronaut, ballerina, etc!). Try not to analyse or spend too long doing this, just the first jobs that pop into your head that you feel positive about. After you've done this, go through and tick off the ones that seriously you'd be interested in. From there, it's a case of weighing up which jobs you might need further training for (and if you can afford/be bothered to do it), how much they pay, etc. and then see if you can do some work experience (paid or voluntary) for companies in a similar field. Also list hobbies and skills you have and see whether you could turn a talent into a profession -eg do you play an instrument, design websites, make clothes?

If you're still stuck, try going to your careers consellor at university (as a graduate, they should still help you). Sometimes, it's just a case of trying different jobs until one sticks, so don't be afraid to apply for something. Most people don't have 'careers for life' any more, and it's perfectly acceptable to change your mind (and your career) if you don't like it.
All the best!

Answer 2

When doing my history degree, I wanted to work in a museum. However when I went to see the Careers Guidance this was never mentioned. Instead I was set up for interviews with the NHS, Customs and Excise etc. It would appear that a history degree opens the doors to anything.

Before I could take up any of these jobs I had a serious accident, so when recovered I went back and did my teaching certificate. I taught for 5 year olds for 3 years and now work for a charity.

I can honestly say I have not used my degree once. It just looks good on my cv.

Answer 3

You can get a job that requires skills you learned in studying history. I suppose that these skills could involve writing, presenting or researching information. Working as a paralegal might be one possibility. Becoming a fact checker for a magazine or newspaper might be another.

A better course of action might be to get a professional degree like an MBA or a JD so that you have a more practical skill.

Answer 4

that is usually the reason you do a degree isnt it?

What is your history degree in? just plain old history, or a particular flavour? What did you do your disertation on?

Have you already got the degree or are you thinking of doing one and want to know what careers there are?

Answer 5

I've got a history degree. The important thing to remember is not whether you're actually going to put your studies in medieval history and the Peace and Truce of God into practice, but the skills you're taking away from it.

What are you going to be doing? You're going to be good at document analysis, you're going to be able to write concisely, argue convincingly and research well.

So, yes, you could go into teaching, or alternatively you could go into research, politics, government, anything like that.

Or you could go into an administrative field - ultimately what your degree opens up for you is only half of what you could end up doing. I'm about to go into finance.

Answer 6

Work for the History Channel.
Teach in school or college.
Be a tutor.

Answer 7

In india they proceed to do law after completing history degree.You can always do higher studies in history like ph.d or you can pursue archeology.Teaching history is a good option in school or university.It depends on your passion for history.

Answer 8

Lots and lots of different ones. A simple yahoo search can answer that for you.

http://www.historians.org/pubs/Free/careers/Index.htm

http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/career.html

And there's even a book!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0844243531/103-5618348-2627842?v=glance&n=283155

Answer 9

You could teach history in secondary school, or in university/college.

Answer 10

Maybe these links are helpful:
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education-guide/social-science/history-major.htm
http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/major.html