Major
Careers
Related Skills
- Strong communication skills
- Good analytical skills
- Good decision making skills
- Able to explain ideas
- Strong research skills
- Able to write and present ideas clearly
- Develop patience, persistence, and drive in obtaining history related positions.
Contact
Career Industry Liaison
Olanna Pullen
(309) 438-2200
223 Bone Student Center
Internship Coordinator
Being Successful in the Field
- 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.
- Research Web sites and books that address various job opportunities, pay structure, and hiring processes.
- Part-time, summer, internship, and volunteer experiences are critical.
- Become familiar with the government application process for opportunities in federal, state, or local government.
- 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. - Develop skills by obtaining a leadership role in a school or community organization.
- Get involved in student government.
- Prepare to develop a specialty area including both academic training and work experience for history related careers.
- Join related social and/or professional organizations.
- Develop a network of both formal and informal contacts.
Related Fields
Education
- Teaching: High School, Higher Education
- Community Education
- Corporate Training
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
Government
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
Politics
Employers
- Elected or appointed public officials (i.e., legislators, governors, mayors, judges)
- National political party headquarters
- Public interest/advocacy groups
- Political campaigns
- Lobbying firms
Law
Employers
- Law firms
- Corporate legal departments
- Government agencies
- Public advocacy groups
Business
Employers
- Corporations: marketing, risk assessment, research, public relations
Nonprofit Organizations
Employers
- History museums and historic sites
- Historical associations and societies
- Cultural heritage organizations
- Historical projects
- Research and service institutions
Curatorial and Archival Management
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
Journalism
Employers
- News departments of local, public, and commercial radio and TV stations
- Syndicated radio services
- Newspapers
- National, state, and regional radio networks
For more information about careers in the field of history, please visit Career Services and the American Historical Association.