What decent-paying job can a history major get if they don't want to teach or be a lawyer?

Question

I was thinking it would be nice to work behind the scenes in a museum, but I would be poor. I'm a quiet person, so teaching doesn't appeal to me. And the government side of social studies bores me to tears. I just like history. Besides making a giant important discovery or writing amazing essays all the time, what job could I get?

Answer 1

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Careers in Public History

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What can you do with an undergraduate degree in history?
Many, many things

As a liberal arts major, of course, the world is your oyster and you can consider a multitude of careers.

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, teacher . . . the list can be almost endless.

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

Here is a brief list of the career opportunities available to the undegraduate history major. This list is based on a very useful pamphlet, Careers for Students of History, written by Barbara J. Howe and jointly published by the American Historical Association and the National Council on Public History in 1989. While this online miniguide is based on this pamphlet (now out of print), with appropriate paraphrases from its text, it discusses also some of the new opportunities that became available to the history major in the recent past.

History BAs intending to pursue an advanced degree in history may profitably consult the excellent new guide, Careers for Students of History, by Constance Schulz, Page Putnam Miller, Aaron Marrs, and Kevin Allen (2002: 64 pages, $7 members, $9 nonmembers. ISBN 0-87229-128-6).

Historians as Educators

Elementary Schools
Secondary Schools
Postsecondary Education
Historic Sites and Museums

Historians as Researchers

Museums and Historical Organizations<> Cultural Resources Management and 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
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

For more information on all these career opportunities as well as other possibilities, consult the pamphlet referred to above and, of course, the career guidance office at your college or university.


hope i helped out girlie!
stay smart!
good luck!
God Bless =)

Answer 2

Your question has already been answered by someone above me, but I just wanted to add that while working at a museum isn't going to make you rich, the money isn't THAT bad. If you don't mind moving around a bit, you can earn enough working as a curator to live on comfortably. Plus, if you do a good job, you can always move up and on.

You could also work as a conservator as well. They make better money than curators, although a lot of conservation depends on knowledge in science.

Here's a link you might find interesting: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos065.htm

Btw, just because you have a degree in history doesn't mean you have to have a job that deals with history.

Answer 3

Doing research for museums, for writers, for tv networks (like - oh say the History Channel). People who know history and can work in those channels can work as archivists, helping to file and catalogue - business organizations often hire people with experience to put together their own histories.

And many businesses like people with a history background for other work that is not necessarily pure history.

It's a good major - and there are always ways to make money doing what you like.

Answer 4

A close friend of mine majored in History because that is why she loved, but she pursued a career in Human Resources. She worked several years for different corporations in the benefits area and for the past few years has worked for consulting groups also in the areas of benefits administration. I don't know her salary specifically, but she owns her own home, drives a new car and generally has money to go on vacation and do what she wants to do.

Answer 5

a museum is your best bet even if the money is a little low. Perhaps maybe a research assistant for an archelogist?

I cant spell sorry!

Answer 6

Treasure Hunter !

Answer 7

You could be a day trader

Answer 8

Truck driving.