Being a history major, I often run into a widespread misconception: people think that if you major in history, the only thing you can do once you’ve graduated is teach history. While that is a viable path, that’s certainly not the only path.
What else can you do with a history degree?
A lot. The American Historical Assocation has a detailed page about what a history major might do after graduation. People with a history degree might find themselves working in education, obviously, but they could also end up being communicators of some sort. Working in business, particularly administration, is also a possibility.
If you do a Google search for “what can you do with a history degree” and check out some of the top results, you’ll find that a lot of people think that all you can do with one is teach. They’re wrong.
Where It Gets Personal
It’s not a crime to be misinformed. It’s not a crime to put your nose where it doesn’t belong, either. While neither are a crime, when you combine those two things, the end result can be quite frustrating.
I can’t tell you how many people have questioned my choice of major; not in a curiosity way, either, like “Oh, cool, what do you want to do with that degree?” Instead, people have essentially attacked my choice of major: “History? What are you going to do with that?” (scorn) “You should switch to being a business major, they make way more money.” Their argument always follows the path of “Well, if you aren’t going to teach, you can’t do anything with it.”
I’ve learned to take such nonsense in stride, but it’s still a bit of a put off. I’m not an idiot (really); I have looked into this stuff, you know. While I can be spontaneous smetimes, I don’t often set aside 4 years of my life to get a degree without looking into what I can do with said degree.
Insult is often added to injury when these people will try to argue with me about this. I’ll tell them that you can do many things with a history degree; that I’ve looked into it a great deal. And they will, without missing a beat, tell me that I’m wrong, and that if I’m not going to teach, I can’t do anything with the degree.
Argh.
What ever happened to getting a degree in something that you enjoy? What’s with the obsession with vocation-based education? Jobs are important, but they aren’t the end-all, be-all of your life. If I wanted to major in business or nursing or dental hygiene or some other “you can get a high paying job immediately after graduating with this!” degree, I would. But I don’t. I want to major in history, and I refuse to be swayed by the masses.
I can hear the army of history geeks mustering now, to back me up. I hope.
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July 21, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Veronica
Hi, I just wanted to tell you that I completely agree. It’s amazing how many people still consider college like a trade school. Most people rarely enter a career that correlated with their major!!! I happen to be earning a history degree by the end of the year. I’m also earning a paralegal certificate. I’m well aware of the opportunity to enter law school, earn an MBA, or even become a paralegal. Let’s not forget urban planning, writing, archiving, historical restoration, and many many other positions that will welcome someone with a history degree. I hate to say it, but these people who say these things, are either professionals who have an applied degree, or people who haven’t ever earn any sort of degree.
July 25, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Josh
Hi Veronica,
Yeah, far too many people (in my opinion) view college / university as a simple trade school. There’s nothing wrong with trade schools, but a trade school is not the same as college / university.
I agree. Generally speaking, those I’ve spoken with who have said such things either a) have no degree of their own, and show no signs of getting one or b) have a very specific, applied degree.
August 13, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Johnny Relentless
I think the most important thing is that you enjoy what you do. What good is a lot of money if you have to spend more than a third of your life miserable because you don’t like what you do? I’m not a history major, but I think it sounds very interesting. And no one should be able to sway you if you know it’s right for you.
Having said all that, Stephen Colbert says (tongue-in-cheek, if you’re not familiar with him), “Why study history? If you don’t learn from it, you’re doomed to repeat it, and then you’ll know what happened anyway.”
May 14, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Osiris
I too encounter history degree put-downs since graduating, but I wouldn’t trade my degree for anything other degree. I’ve definitely changed for the better since earning it. It’s also an ideal stepping stone degree to multiple areas such as law, business, marketing, politics, archiving/museum studies, public administration, journalism/tv/blogging etc…
May 18, 2008 at 10:22 am
Josh
Johnny: Amen to the “enjoy what you do”! I’d rather enjoy what I do over having a huge salary.
Osiris: Thanks for some insight post-graduation. I’m glad you don’t regret your decision to major in history.
July 14, 2008 at 7:39 am
P. Jones
I certainly agree. As a history undergraduate myself, I also found myself weighting up the fact that I would spend three allbeit challenging years studying a subject I enjoy, with the wisphers that job prospects are limited. I dont regret picking history as I am set on going into teaching anyway, yet those who suggest that buisness is the key to job success can think again as the current market is flooded and those with a buisness degree are merely looking at a job in a cubicle if lucky. History students can be some of the most dedicated and appliacble of students and history also eqquipes those students with numerous transferable skills which employers crave.
July 29, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Randy R.
I disagree. I’ve had a difficult time finding a job with my history degree (and I dual majored with English). I’m stuck tutoring and my only option at this point is to either go to grad school (in which I’d still be stuck teaching) or get a teaching license.
If you’re studying history, be sure to get an internship at that dream spot (museum, think tank, etc.) before you graduate. Colleges aren’t quick to help grads once you’re out of school, and most employers could give a hoot that you’re a master researcher.
July 30, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Josh
Randy: Sorry to hear you’re having a hard time finding a job. I’ve thought about getting a teaching license after I graduate, so having to do so wouldn’t be the end of the world, I suppose.
Hope you find something you enjoy; best of luck!