General Information:

  • An undergraduate degree in history is good preparation for graduate study in history as well as other areas such as psychology, law or business.
  • Research the prerequisites of the area of interest and tailor program of study to meet curricular and skill needs.
  • Part-time, summer, internship and volunteer experiences are critical.
  • Develop skills by obtaining a leadership role in a school or community organization.
  • Get involved in Student Government.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills are imperative for most careers related to history, politics or government.
  • Become familiar with the government application process for opportunities in federal, state or local government.
  • Prepare to develop a specialty area including both academic training and work experience for history related careers.
  • Develop patience, persistence and drive in obtaining history related positions.
  • For careers in politics, be prepared to volunteer extensively before being hired or elected as an employee or official. Begin by working with the campaign or official of choice while in college.
  • For careers in arts and humanities, obtain a broad liberal arts background including knowledge of the arts, personal and mass communication and foreign languages.
  • Join related social and/or professional organizations.
  • Develop a network of both formal and informal contacts.
  • Research websites and books that address various job opportunities, pay structure and hiring processes.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer.

Explore Possible Careers Pathways in History:

 

Government: Employers

Employers

Federal agencies including: The Smithsonian Institute, National Archives and Records, Library of Congress, National Park Service, Intelligence services, Foreign service

State and local agencies including: Archives and libraries, Museums, parks and historic sites, Municipal archives, Arts and humanities councils

Government: Strategies

Strategies

Gain relevant experience in student government or other related organizations.

Complete an internship with a government agency. Maintain a superior academic record. Plan on obtaining an advanced degree. Develop foreign language skills.

Become familiar with specialized government hiring procedures. Consider a variety of entry-level positions in all branches of local, state and federal government.

Politics: Employers

Employers

  • Elected or appointed public officials (i.e., legislators, governors, mayors, judges)
  • National political party headquarters
  • Public interest/advocacy groups
  • Political campaigns

Politics: Strategies

Strategies

Gain experience and make contacts through internships with government agencies or public officials. Volunteer to work with public interest groups, political campaigns, political associations or community service projects.

Participate in student government and campus politics.

Law: Employers

Employers

  • Law firms
  • Corporate legal departments
  • Government agencies
  • Public advocacy groups

Law: Strategies

Strategies

Obtain paralegal training or law degree. Gain experience through summer or part-time work in a law firm. Volunteer with a public advocacy group. Participate in mock trial and pre-law associations.

Non-Profit Organizations: Employers

Employers

  • History museums and historic sites
  • Historical associations and societies
  • Cultural heritage organizations
  • Historical projects
  • Research and service institutions

Non-Profit Organizations: Strategies

Strategies

Volunteer with various nonprofit organizations of interest. Consider supplementing curriculum with relevant course work in anthropology, sociology, art history or foreign languages.

Curatorial and Archival Management: Employers

Employers

  • Museums
  • Historical homes
  • Art galleries
  • Special collections
  • Historical societies
  • Libraries
  • Universities and colleges
  • National, state and local government
  • Corporations
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Research institutes

Curatorial and Archival Management: Strategies

Strategies

Acquire strong computer knowledge and experience. Obtain an internship or volunteer in a related organization. Develop excellent written and oral communication skills. Hone organizational skills and develop attention to detail.

Earn a master’s degree in information sciences for advanced opportunities in data management.

Journalism: Areas & Employers

Areas – Journalism

  • Broadcast
  • Print

Employers

  • News departments of local, public and commercial radio and TV stations
  • Syndicated radio services
  • Newspapers
  • National, state and regional radio networks

Journalism: Strategies

Strategies

  • Work on campus newspaper, TV or radio.
  • Find summer or part-time work with local commercial TV or radio station.
  • Volunteer with public TV or radio.
  • Consider obtaining a minor or double major in journalism or broadcasting/electronic media.

Education: Areas & Employers

Areas – Education

  • Teaching: Elementary, Middle or Secondary, Higher Education
  • Community Education

Employers

  • Public and private schools
  • Colleges and universities
  • Museums
  • Zoological parks, aquariums, wildlife refuges and bird sanctuaries
  • Arboretums, gardens and conservatories
  • Camps
  • National and state parks

Education: Strategies

Strategies

Develop excellent presentation skills. Become skilled in the use of multimedia.

Learn how to develop curriculums and workshops. Become an “expert” in a particular subject. Obtain teaching certificate for public school teaching. Obtain a graduate degree for college and/or university teaching. Gain experience as a tutor, camp counselor, church schoolteacher, etc. Build strong relationships with professors, supervisors or other community leaders for strong personal recommendations. Complete an internship or volunteer in a setting of interest.

Business: Areas & Employers

Areas – Business

  • Management
  • Sales
  • Office Administration

Employers

  • All major retail firms including drug, specialty, variety and department store chains
  • Wholesalers
  • Manufacturers
  • Insurance companies
  • Real estate agencies
  • Financial institutions
  • Nonprofit organizations

Business: Strategies

Strategies

Earn a minor in business. Obtain related experience through advertisement sales positions with campus yearbook or newspaper. Gain relevant retail sales experience. Acquire good computer and statistical skills. Develop excellent communication skills. Demonstrate a high energy level. Obtain leadership experience in student or community organizations. Consider an MBA for brand management, consulting and research opportunities.