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The study of history
provides a necessary perspective on the contemporary
world, enhances a student’s ability to communicate
effectively, and trains a person to systematically organize
vast amounts of information. These are essential skills
demanded of today’s young professionals and graduate
students.
History is one of the most popular
majors for students who expect to pursue a professional
education. Law students find a history degree especially
attractive and helpful. Throughout their careers, journalism
students rely heavily on the information and skills
they acquire in history courses. Moreover, students
who enter the business world directly upon completion
of their undergraduate degrees have found that a major
in history, particularly when it is accompanied by a
minor in business or accounting, has enhanced their
attractiveness considerably in today’s job market.
National, state, and local governments
all seek employees with backgrounds in the study of
history or with the skills which history majors have
acquired. For example, the departments of State, Defense,
and Education, as well as federal intelligence agencies,
all employ significant numbers of historians. Federal
and state legislative research groups also make extensive
use of historians.
Undergraduates who seek
careers in the professional study of history have a
number of attractive options. Students who plan to teach
at the college or junior college level should major
in history as undergraduates. Anticipated increases
in the number of college-age students is increasing
the demand for college and junior college teachers.
Comparable increases in the demand for good history
teachers at the secondary level have been felt since
1990. Additionally, museums, archives, national and
state park services, and historical societies throughout
the nation require management and staff with historical
training. In short, a history major prepares a student
for a wide range of career opportunities.
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