Having knowledge and appreciation of the people and events that have gone before us is paramount to shaping a better future. That’s why preserving and promoting awareness and understanding of our past, whether it concerns local or world knowledge, specific cultures, or eras, is significant. Historians are key to ensuring we don’t forget the past.
What Can You Do with a History Degree?
There are several options in multiple sectors, along with plenty of opportunities to diverge in many career directions. When it comes to thinking about what you can do with a history degree, jobs are often available in journalism, politics, education, museum archiving and curating, library science, political science, intelligence, research, law, and even archeology. The communication, research, and critical thinking skills you learn in Ottawa University’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History degree will make you a valuable asset in any of these fields.
Jobs in History
If you want to enter the workforce upon graduating, the internships, practicums, and volunteer experience you gain during college are extremely helpful in landing your first job. If you don’t plan to earn a graduate degree right away, these jobs in history can be a great place to start your career.
Historians help preserve the past by researching and interpreting data on people, historical events, and eras. They then compile and present their research in journal articles, books, exhibits, on websites, and educational programming. Various sectors such as government, research organizations, historical societies, and museums often employ historians, while others market their expertise as independent consultants.
Museums, especially small museums, often seek those who hold an undergraduate degree for entry-level roles. In these jobs, you might help organize, plan, and oversee exhibitions; archive local and relevant historical artifacts and documents; conduct research; give educational presentations and tours; and even help fundraise for the museum. Gaining diverse experience in this setting can help pave the way for future positions with greater responsibility.
Our degree prepares graduates to find and organize information in structured and easily accessible ways, which translates well into the career path of a librarian. Cataloging and classifying materials, maintaining digital and/or analog catalogs, and helping visitors find specific information are all tasks a librarian does daily. School librarians and library media specialists typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field, along with a teaching certificate; requirements vary by state.
Your historical knowledge and its application to current events can translate to roles such as news commentator, reporter, subject matter expert, or columnist. You can even combine your degree with communication courses as you prepare for a career in media and communications.
A paralegal or legal assistant gathers facts related to a case; searches for relevant previous cases; and finds laws, regulations, and legal articles related to the issue at hand. Historical knowledge and the abilities to research, stay organized, and communicate well, are essential to this career. To become a paralegal, some firms require certification in paralegal studies and other employers provide on-the-job training with a relevant degree.
If you want to pass knowledge down to the next generation, entering the classroom may be the perfect way to put your degree to work. In addition to your degree, you may need to become licensed or certified in your state. Most states offer a route to certification or licensure for individuals with a bachelor’s degree that did not include education courses. Ottawa University provides a Secondary Education Concentration in History in both Kansas and Arizona. Some states also allow professionals to begin teaching under supervision while pursuing their teaching credentials.
What Can You Do with a History Degree Beyond the BA?
Some graduates choose to earn advanced degrees and open their careers even further. Below are interesting job options to consider for your future.
Some graduates transform their passion into practicing law, which entails consulting with clients, conducting research related to cases, filing legal documents, and preparing and presenting cases in court. Following their bachelor’s degree, pre-law students will need to pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) to enroll in a Juris Doctor degree program from a school accredited by the American Bar Association. Students can then choose a law specialization, such as labor, corporate, civil, constitutional, tax, or property law.
Teachers can expand their impact as educators by earning a Master of Arts in Education (MAED) to take on current challenges in education regarding curriculum, technology, and instruction. The MAED prepares educators to utilize high-level teaching methodologies and provide the tools to make work in the education field more effective and efficient. Ottawa’s MAED candidates focus their learning through relevant concentrations:
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If civics is your area of interest, you can pursue a career in political science that will allow you to analyze governments, policies, political trends, and other issues related to politics. Robust knowledge of the past and the ability to apply historical principles in current and future political environments make the political scientist a valuable asset in areas of public administration, public policy, and public and governmental affairs. Most political scientists hold a master’s or doctoral degree.
Online History Classes
Ottawa University’s accelerated, online Bachelor of Arts in History program explores how past events affect contemporary problems. It also synthesizes the study of past human activity with the nature, purpose, and principles of governmental systems throughout the world. Students then bring it all together to develop an understanding of public events and trends in both national and international spheres. This line of study is particularly relevant in light of today’s global economy, systems, and politics that we see playing out on the world stage every day and can lead to several jobs for history majors.
Our classes delve into the interrelationships between society and the environment, issues of war and peace, and movements for social and political change. To complement your degree, students can take advantage of local museums, historical societies, government agencies, non-profits, and other organizations that often offer internships or volunteer research opportunities that will help secure jobs in history.
Turn Your Love of the Past into a Bright Future
Are you ready to capitalize on your love of historical knowledge? Ottawa University’s BA in History prepares you for a wide range of career opportunities. Our accelerated online degrees are conveniently offered at our campus locations in Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Phoenix.
Contact us today to get started!
See Also:
How to Change Careers
Why You Should Consider a Career in Teaching
Continuing Your Education After a Break