History major looking for work...?

Question

My girlfriend recently graduated with a B.S. in History, and she's struggling to find work in her field. What are some jobs that it would be advantageous to have a degree in history? *We live in New York, and she doesnt want to teach.

Answer 1

A glut of History MAs and PhDs, too few desired positions, and a faculty invested in the status quo point to a need for change.
Many History MAs and PhDs want to know why the number of PhDs and the focus of their education are out of balance with job prospects and career expectations.

Between 1983 and 2006, the number of doctorates earned annually in the History tripled.
The percentage of History MAs and PhDs finding jobs continues to shrink.

For History PhDs overall, after five years only about 7% of graduates hold a full time job.

"You talk to anyone running a faculty job search anywhere and they are getting on average 200 applicants," says a History PhD from Yale.

Answer 2

I don't mean this to sound harsh but:

What are people thinking when they pursue these types of degrees and don't want to teach? I know several young people in this very situation. Did she think the world would fall at her feet because she got a college degree?

OK...that out of the way....sales offers a lot of opportunity. If she is not the sales type then perhaps pursue big companies and try to get into their development programs.

Answer 3

she could be a librarian.

My sister was a history major that graduated with honors and now works with the FBI in the research field. She could do that

Answer 4

Museum work -- but will be expected to do further studies

Any work requiring a non-specific degree qualification should welcome a history graduate, though might have preferred one with an Arts based degree.