Careers in History
What Can You Do with a History Major?
No other major prepares students for as many different careers. History majors’ strong communication skills are valued by all employers, including businesses and government agencies. The research, analytical, and evaluative skills that history majors develop prepare them for graduate study and careers in many humanistic disciplines, public affairs, and library science. A growing number of history majors have made careers in the expanding field of public history, working in museums, archives, and historical preservation.
The best thing you can do is talk to your advisor or visit Western’s Career Services Center.
Who Hires History Majors?
Federal Agencies:
- The Smithsonian Institute
- National Archives & Records Library of Congress
- National Park Services
- Intelligence Services
- Foreign Services
State & Local Agencies:
- Archives & Libraries
- Museums, Parks, & Historic Sites
- Municipal Archives
- Art & Humanities Councils
- Elected or Appointed Public Officials (i.e., Legislators, Governors, Mayors, judges)
- National Political Party Headquarters
- Public Interest/Advocacy Groups
- Political Campaigns
- All major retail firms including drug, specialty, variety, & department store chains
- Wholesalers
- Manufacturers
- Insurance companies
- Real Estate agencies
- Financial institutions
- Non-Profit Organizations
- History Museums & Historic Sites
- Historical Associations & Societies
- Cultural Heritage Organizations
- Historical Projects
- Research & Service Institutions
- Museums
- Historical Homes
- Art Galleries
- Special Collections
- Historical Societies
- Libraries
- Universities & Colleges
- National, State, & Local Government
- Corporations
- Non-profit Organizations
- Research Institutes
- News Departments of Local, Public, Commercial Radio, & TV Stations
- Syndicated Radio Services
- Newspapers, Magazines & Journals
- National, State, & Regional Radio Networks
- Wire services
- Internet sites
- Textbook or commercial publishing houses
- Public & Private Schools
- Colleges & Universities
- Museums
- Zoological Parks, Aquariums, Wildlife Refugees, & Bird Sanctuaries
- Arboretums, Gardens, & Conservatories
- Camps
- National & State Parks
- Law Firms & Private Practice
- Government Agencies
- Public Advocacy Groups
- Corporations
- Universities & colleges
- Legal aid societies
- Legal clinics
- Nonprofit & public interest organizations: ACLU, NAACP, Legal Defense Fund, Legal Services Corporation, etc.
- Other private legal services