How can I get a job in the history field after college? Serious answers only, please!?

Question

I graduated in 2003 with a BA in History. I didn't have any luck getting a job in the history field after college, and now I'm 2/3 done with my MA in Military History, which I will finish in August--although I won't get my diploma until December. I want to work at a museum or do historical research, but so many jobs require experience. I've got education but don't have any work experience in the history field, and I can't just volunteer because I need to pay the bills somehow.

I live in Alaska and want to move back to the Lower 48, but I need to get a job before I move, and it needs to be in late August or early September so I can move before winter comes.

Does anyone have some good advice for me? If you work in the history field, I'd especially like to hear from you.

Thanks for your answers so far--keep them coming! I didn't do internships before because I didn't know right away after college what I wanted to do. I've applied for a couple internships, but I don't know if I'll get them since so many internships actually want people to have experience. I'm not good in front of people, so I'm not really interested in teaching. I'm the type of person who likes to work behind the scenes.

Oh, in response to the other answer--about going into the military. I'm not interested in joining the military, although I definitely support our troops. I'm more interested in the history aspect. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

Answer 1

According to the American Historical Association:

Among the jobs you can consider are: advertising executive, analyst, archivist, broadcaster, campaign worker, consultant, congressional aide, editor, foreign service officer, foundation staffer, information specialist, intelligence agent, journalist, legal assistant, lobbyist, personnel manager, public relations staffer, researcher . . . the list can be almost endless.

More specifically, though, with your degree in history you can be a researcher, communicator or editor, information manager, advocate, or even a businessperson.

Here is a brief list of the career opportunities available to the undergraduate history major.

Historians as Educators:
Historic Sites and Museums

Historians as Researchers:
Museums and Historical Organizations
Cultural Resources Management
Historic Preservation
Think Tanks

Historians As Communicators:
Writers and Editors
Journalists
Documentary Editors
Producers of Multimedia Material

Historians As Information Managers:
Archivists
Records Managers
Librarians
Computer Information Managers

Historians As Advocates:
Lawyers and Paralegals
Litigation Support
Legislative Staff Work
Foundations

Historians in Businesses and Associations:
Historians in Corporations
Contract Historians
Historians and Nonprofit Associations

Here's some organizations for historians; some provide career/job info:

The National Council on Public History (NCPH)
http://www.ncph.org

The NCPH strives to advance the role of public history within the historical profession and publishes the quarterly journal
The Public Historian in cooperation with the History Department of the University of California at Santa Barbara.

National Park Service
http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/index.htm...
The NPS History Program is an excellent source of information for public historians.

National Register of Historic Places
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr
Since its inception in 1966, nearly 73,000 properties have been listed in the National Register, and its vast database can be easily accessed through a research engine.

American Association for State and Local History
http://www.aaslh.org
Through preservation and interpretation, the AASLH strives to give meaning to state and local history within American history. Its website offers research tools, job listings, and publications for its members.

The Society for the History in the Federal Government
http://www.shfg.org
Founded in 1979, the SHFG promotes the study and understanding of the history of the federal government and serves as its voice within American historical profession. The SHFG has an annual meeting and its website contains job listings for public historians interested in working within the federal government.

The Society of American Archivists
http://www.archivists.org
The SAA is North America's oldest and largest national archival professional assocation. It's website has an employment bulletin, periodicals, publications, and other information pertinent to those within the Archivist profession.

American Association of Museums (AAM)
http://www.aam-us.org
The American Association of Museums is the national organization representing the museum community which strives to enhance the ability of museums to serve the public interest.

Smithsonian Institution
http://www.si.edu
The Smithsonian website provides a wealth of information to historians wishing to work in the public sphere.

Good luck!

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

There are always openings in the school system for teachers. You might try getting into the teaching field, do a little volunteer work on the side until you know some people in a museum and they recommend you for working in the museum as part of the staff.

Answer 4

Well, in your field of study its seems that most people either teach or write books. I would suggest you find a job doing the former. Afterwards I'd move on to the latter. With several years of teaching and a few books under your belt im sure you'll be more qualified to go ahead and do exactly what your lookin to do in the history field.

Answer 5

Another idea (and I know somebody will thumb me down for this) is to go Military Officer. You've spent alot of time studying their history, why not spend some time living it? It may be just the thing to bring together your schooling. I suggest Air Force.

Answer 6

you had better look into doing an internship at some dig, or museum, or whatever they do in that field. I am surprised that you havent been doing that already, my stepsister has her ma's in archeaolgy and anthro and was doing internship stuff throughout.

Answer 7

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