Did I choose the wrong major?

Question

I got a BA in history this year, and graduated at the top of my class. I searched for jobs for a few months, but not many played out. So I applied to the graduate program at my school and got in, so I'm going to get an MA in history.

I chose my major because its what I love to study. But I'm beginning to think I should've chosen marketing or business or some other practical major, even though I don't like that stuff.

Answer 1

I got my BBA in Business Management concentrating in Human Resources in May 2002. Do you know what kind of job I got right out of college? I was a 1 hour photo girl, then a retail supervisor.(how humiliating for a college graduate) My business degree did nothing for me! I am currently going back to school to do something that I am naturally good at, teaching. I learned through volunteering at schools that it is something I am good at. I am currently pursuing my Master's in Education and simultaneous teacher certification and I also am working as a paraprofessional at a local school. I have finally found my niche, I hope you can find yours.

Answer 2

If you love history, then you chose the right major. I'll give you four good reasons:

1. If you do something that you hate, you will be miserable your entire life.

2. Everyone is getting majors in marketing and business. What is so practical about jumping into the area that everyone is doing? The market is saturated, and a lot of business and marketing majors are not doing what they set out to do. The key is getting into something that will have an opening in the future. Is that history? Well, it depends on what you want to do and what area you study, but it sure can be!

3. Who says that history is not practical? Get a degree in archiving, museum curation, or become a history teacher. You'll have no problem finding a job. If you are really brave and REALLY love history, then get your Ph.D and become a history professor. Then you get to do historical research AND teach. That is what I am working on, and I love it. It is a lot of work, but at least I am doing something I love.

4. Even if you don't get a history-specific job, history makes you more versatile than a lot of supposed "practical" majors. History teaches you better writing and communication skills, basic human psychology and sociology, research and analytical skills, the ability to prioritize and identify key pieces of information, advanced reading and interpretation skills, typing and computer skills, and other skills that more or less make you prepared to do just about anything you want to. It is a matter of learning to identify those skills and sell them. That is true no matter WHAT you get your degree in, even something "practical." A lot of people are out there with specific, technological degrees that can't get a job because they are not capable of doing anything aside of that specific skill they learned.

Good luck!

p.s. The law degree option mentioned above is also available to you. That was a good answer. There are a lot of attorneys out there with history degrees. I also wonder what kind of jobs the person with the English bachelors applied for and how they presented themselves. There are a lot of people with humanities degrees in great positions because they were smart and creative with their degree. There are also a lot of people sitting at home unemployed and blaming their degree, but it wasn't really the degree that was the problem.

Answer 3

I did the same thing; got a BA in English, and then got incredibly frustrated when I really couldn't do much with it. So I'm going to go with yes, you chose the wrong major, and getting a masters in it probably isn't a good idea if you don't know how you're going to apply it to the real world. It's going to suck to get out of your program with a huge chunk of debt and no way to pay it off.

I'm back in school to get a BS and then an MS, and bitterly regret all the money that I could have saved by thinking through my job prospects back when I was 18.

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I'm editing this to respond to a person below who asked what kind of jobs I applied for and how I presented myself ...

I have had several jobs that paid well, such as public affairs, production coordination, even some editing. I was always promoted and left all of them on good terms. I got all of them because of my degree, but I wasn't really passionate about any of them. I majored in English because I love to read and tinker with language, but wasn't happy when I tried to make it work as a career. As someone else said, now I save my passion to be a private thing and am going to work in something more practical, something that's going to make more of a difference.

It was only when I got older that I realized there was an entire world that I hadn't even considered my first time through. I discovered that I have a passion for midwifery, found out what I needed to do to make that happen, and now I'm back in school doing something that I love that also will make me a comfortable living. And, btw, making a 4.0, something I wasn't even close to doing when I was working on my English degree.

So, no, I don't recommend that you go into something like finance or business if that's not where your heart takes you. But don't blindly follow history thinking that it's the only thing that will ever suit you. Rather than a masters I would recommend that you take whatever odd jobs come your way to check the world out a little. In five years if you think that history is it then that's the time for the masters. But there's a very good chance that something else is going to come your way and you'll be glad you didn't go through with the masters just because it seems like the only option open to you right now.

Answer 4

In a lot of jobs, just the fact that you have completed a BA is enough. It really doesn't matter what it is in. It just means you are able to complete a goal. However, with a BA and MA in History, you should be able to teach at a community college level. Many tenured positions at good schools pay well. There are some years of prep work before you get there, but keep in mind that you are very lucky if you can make a living at what you love.

Answer 5

I'd advise you to do what you love. As an entry-level prospect, you may not be paid much with a History degree, but you'll have the satisfaction of enjoying the work of something you love. Trust me, I should've done like you and remained in the major I loved, Music. However, I got scared for some reason (although I excelled at it) and switched to Accounting to be "practical" like you stated. I wound up HATING it, and now I'm having difficulty finding something I'd enjoy doing. Do what you love! You'll thank yourself later. If all else fails, seek out a governmental position as a historian. You may enjoy the idea of working in a museum like the Smithsonian, or a local history museum in your area. You may be able to receive governmental grants to teach something about history. Check out the USA Jobs website to see if any positions are available for people with a History degree. I'm sure you'll find something. Good luck!

Answer 6

Hey Big Red--you did NOT make a mistake by choosing History. Why you say??? You are going to stay in college and get a masters. You tried to get hired and did not pan out. If I had that amount of money to stay in school and not worry about getting a job. You have chosen correctly. Job force does not miss you---stay and get the ole PHD. Going to school is a great job. Let everyone else worry about paying the bills.

Answer 7

To do anything in your field, you'll have to a) get a teaching certificate; b) go to graduate school, probably a PHD as well; or c) go to graduate school in something else.

I have a BA in History/English. Struggled with going to graduate school in history or going to law school. Took both the GRE and the LSAT and ended up going to law school. Spent a lot of time waiting tables and bar tending before I obtained my JD and passed the bar.

//There are days I wish I were teaching history at some small private liberal arts college. There are days I'm happy I'm not. :)

Good luck to you and congratulations on graduating.

Answer 8

I love history. I like financial security. I majored in Finance, I watch the history channel, read history books and talk about history with friends and family. I have a good job.

Unless you want to earn a PhD and teach at the university level, or teach at the secondary level with your masters, or a career in the military, you might want to consider other options after your days of leisurely study are over.

Answer 9

You could always teach history, but a lot of jobs will take any kind of four-year degree. One of my dad's friends has a doctorate in English and he drove a cab for ten years. Now he teaches at a community college. If you love to study history, maybe you would love to teach it.

Answer 10

Most of the companies which will hire a business major (except for accounting) will also hire a history major. My guess is that something is wrong, either with your resume or with the way you interview. Have you done practice interviews through your career center? They can give you feedback which might help you find something appropriate.