A history degree opens diverse career paths beyond traditional expectations. Graduates often work as teachers, lawyers, archivists, librarians, journalists, marketers, or consultants. Many pursue law school, teaching, or government roles, yet history majors also excel in less obvious sectors like non-profits, park services, and management consulting.
The versatility of a history degree stems from the critical thinking, research, and communication skills it cultivates. These allow graduates to adapt and learn quickly, a key advantage in various professional environments. Graduates acquire skills not just in knowing past facts but in independent research and analysis, which employers value.
Common career paths include:
- Law: Many history graduates attend law school and become lawyers, with law firms often offering conversion programs or bursaries for graduates from other disciplines.
- Teaching: Elementary, middle school, or university teaching remains a popular avenue, where graduates often become educators or professors.
- Archives and Libraries: Graduates with further qualifications in information science work as librarians or archivists, specializing in heritage and information management.
- Non-Profit Sector: The non-profit field benefits from skills in fundraising, communication, and research, making it appealing to history graduates.
- Park Rangers: This role involves conducting research that aligns with a park’s history or themes, providing a meaningful application of history knowledge.
- Management Consulting: Particularly at prestigious universities, history graduates join firms like McKinsey or BCG, leveraging their analytical skills.
Salary expectations for history graduates typically start lower compared to STEM or finance fields, reflecting market realities rather than skill deficiencies. Many experience periods of low-paying or temporary work before securing steady employment. Success often depends on connections, talent, and perseverance.
Some graduates find that supplementing their history degree with other qualifications improves job prospects. For example:
- Minoring in history rather than majoring can keep career options broader.
- Combining history with language, education, or business degrees enhances employability.
- Studying business while pursuing history interests independently offers practical benefits.
Individual examples illustrate the degree’s flexibility:
- A history and math major ended up teaching math due to opportunity variations.
- One graduate took a low-paid PhD position, supported by a full scholarship after temporary jobs.
- A graduate in the military uses history knowledge regularly in service.
- A student with a bursary at a law firm plans to enter the industry after completing their degree.
- A history and psychology graduate works in a Fortune 500 company and plans to teach English abroad.
- Some work in roles that require only a bachelor’s degree without a direct link to history.
“You can’t get a job with a history degree” is a common but misleading narrative. Many graduates succeed by pairing core history skills with additional training or networking.
Skills acquired with a history degree include:
| Skill | Usefulness |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | Analyzing complex issues quickly, valuable in consulting, law, and policy roles. |
| Research Skills | Gathering and interpreting data, essential for archives, non-profits, and academia. |
| Writing and Communication | Reporting, grant writing, and presentations used in nearly every profession. |
| Adaptability (Learning to Learn) | Acquiring new skills rapidly, important in dynamic job markets. |
Success in the job market requires dedication. Graduates should build connections and seek internships or additional certifications relevant to their chosen fields. Flexibility and continued learning remain key factors in establishing rewarding careers.
- History degrees lead to varied careers in law, education, archives, non-profits, and consulting.
- Graduates develop valuable analytical, research, and communication skills.
- Supplementing history studies with other qualifications improves job prospects.
- Initial jobs may be low-paid, but persistence and networking help secure permanent roles.
- The “no jobs for history graduates” belief is inaccurate; diverse sectors employ history majors.
Does Anyone Have a History Degree? If So, What Job Do You Guys Have?
Wondering what jobs history grads actually get? If you’ve got a history degree or are considering one, you’re probably thinking: “Will I only become a teacher, or is there more?” The honest answer is, history degrees can lead you down many roads—law, teaching, government, nonprofit, consulting, and beyond. Yes, the path may not always be straight or flashy, but it’s rich with variety and opportunity.
Let’s dive deeper into what people with history degrees actually do. Spoiler: the career options are as diverse as the past eras you studied!
From Textbooks to Boardrooms: Career Paths with a History Degree
You might assume history majors spend their lives buried in dusty archives only, but the reality is broader. History grads find work in teaching, government, law, journalism, archives, libraries, marketing, consulting, and non-profits.
Here’s a sample of what happens after earning that degree:
- Law: Probably the most common jump. A lot of history graduates head to law school. It makes sense—history sharpens your research and critical thinking skills, a perfect prep for legal studies. Among the top employment sectors, lawyers often emerge first.
- Teaching: Whether elementary school, middle school, or university professor, teaching is a significant route. Many history grads feel drawn to share their passion for the past with new generations.
- Non-Profit and Development: Surprisingly rewarding! The writing, research, and communication skills you build in history help in fundraising and advocacy roles.
- Library and Information Science: Imagine being a librarian at a heritage research library, carefully preserving history. Many history grads pair their degrees with a master’s in information science for this path.
- Park Ranger: It’s not all desk jobs. Some grads work in national parks, conducting research connected to the park’s themes. Very rewarding, albeit with modest pay initially.
- Management Consulting: Prestigious schools like Yale funnel history majors into high-profile consulting firms like BCG or McKinsey. It may be less obvious but proves how adaptable history grads are.
So, history degrees don’t box you in. They serve as springboards into numerous fields, especially when combined with other skills or degrees.
The Rough Side: Challenges and Realities of Job Hunting with a History Degree
Let’s not sugarcoat it—a history degree does come with a few hurdles, especially right after graduation.
Many encounter low-paid, temporary jobs initially. Imagine working fast food or minimum wage roles while hunting for that ideal job. Unfortunately, that’s often the reality.
Salary expectations are also crucial. Are you dreaming of a £50K salary right out of college? History grads typically start lower compared to engineers or finance majors. Kind of a bummer, but expected.
Moreover, the job market can feel tough. It demands luck, solid connections, and talent regardless of your major, but history grads often find they need to work especially hard to stand out.
“Is it tough to get a job? Hell yes. But in this economy, it’s always tough and you’ll need connections, luck and talent to get a good job no matter what your degree.”
Then there’s that persistent myth: “You can’t get a job with a history degree.” It’s a narrative that discourages many. But many history grads dispute this, claiming it’s simply not true if you’re willing to hustle.
Some roles require extra skills or credentials. So, additional learning, certifications, or even graduate school can make a big difference.
The Superpowers: Skills That Make History Graduates Shine
Wondering why employers actually value history grads? Here’s where history degrees shine:
- Critical Thinking and Research: History doesn’t teach random facts; it teaches how to think deeply and do independent research. You’re a detective of the past, piecing together evidence and interpreting it carefully.
- Writing and Communication: Writing essays and papers isn’t just academic torture! These skills translate to clear, effective communication at work—valuable no matter the job.
- Learning Agility: History teaches you to “learn to learn.” This skill is magic in fast-changing fields where you constantly need to pick up new knowledge.
These skills form the backbone for many successful careers beyond just history-related jobs.
Thinking Beyond History Alone: Alternatives and Recommendations
Some history graduates share this advice upfront: minor in history instead of majoring unless you’re planning law school or graduate programs. Often, combining history with another field significantly improves career prospects.
For example, pairing a history degree with education or a second language broadens your job market. One grad combined history with a second language and an education degree and had better options in teaching and beyond.
Others suggest considering a business degree and reading history on the side. Business degrees usually lead to easier job hunting, but you can keep your passion for history alive privately.
Remember, it all depends on what you want out of life and where you want your career to go.
Real People, Real Stories
What are real history grads doing now? Here are some snippets:
- A double major in History and Math ended up teaching math because a professor forgot a recommendation letter for a big scholarship. Sometimes, life throws curveballs!
- One grad struggled with minimum wage jobs after graduation but soon got a contract in business development. They received a full PhD scholarship and chose to pursue it despite low pay.
- A history graduate joined the Army and found the degree extremely useful daily. The skills and knowledge gained offered a unique perspective and advantage.
- Currently studying history with a bursary at a law firm, planning to enter the legal field after a conversion course.
- Another grad combined history and psychology, working at a Fortune 500 company but preparing to teach English in Vietnam soon.
- Someone else holds a BA in History but works in a role that only required any bachelor’s degree. The history skills supported landing a decent job even if unrelated directly.
These stories show how adaptable history degrees are, and how individual initiative shapes career direction.
What Can You Do Now?
If you’ve just graduated or thinking about a history degree, here’s some actionable advice:
- Build Skills Beyond Classroom: Take internships in nonprofit, government, or archives to gain practical experience.
- Network Actively: Connections can open doors. Attend events, join alumni groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out.
- Consider Further Education: Law school, library science, or graduate programs can provide a clearer career path and better pay.
- Pair Your Degree: Add complementary skills like a second language, education, or business qualifications.
- Stay Persistent: Job hunting is rarely quick or easy. Keep improving and adapting your strategy.
Why Even Consider a History Degree?
There’s a charm to studying history—not just facts, but perspectives. It shapes thoughtful citizens who understand contexts and complexities.
The valuable skills you gain make you well-rounded, adaptable, and equipped to tackle varied careers. Whether it’s the courtroom, classroom, or consultancy firm you end up in, history gives depth others may lack.
And the stories? Priceless. Imagine pulling in a lesser-known anecdote to liven up a meeting. History grads do that all the time.
Final Thoughts: Is a History Degree Right for You?
Ask yourself: Do you love exploring why things happen, connecting dots, and communicating clearly? Do you have patience for rigorous research and writing?
If yes, a history degree can be a terrific foundation. Just remember, it rarely hands you your dream job on a silver platter. You need smart planning, added skills, and resilience.
In the end, history degrees offer many doors. Which one you walk through depends on your creativity and determination—not just the diploma.
Fancy a career more varied than you expected? History grads, stand tall. You are more than your degree’s stereotype!
Got a history degree? Share your story. Where has it taken you?
What types of jobs do history graduates commonly get?
Many history majors become lawyers, teachers, or work in government. Others find roles in publishing, archives, journalism, marketing, or consulting. The path is diverse but often centers on research and communication skills.
Can a history degree lead to a career outside traditional fields like teaching or law?
Yes. Graduates work in non-profits, manage fundraising, serve as park rangers, or become librarians. Some enter management consulting or marketing after gaining extra skills beyond their degree.
Is it difficult to find a good job with a history degree?
Job hunting can be tough at first. Many start with low-paid or temporary roles. Success often depends on connections, luck, and talent, not just the degree itself.
What valuable skills do history degrees teach that help in various jobs?
History majors learn critical thinking, independent research, writing, and communication. They also develop an ability to quickly learn new things, which employers find useful.
Do history graduates need additional skills to get specialized jobs?
Some careers require skills beyond history, like advanced tech or business knowledge. Many graduates pick these up outside their degree to access specialized roles.
Is teaching the only clear path for history graduates?
No. While many become teachers, others choose law, military service, library science, or consulting. The degree offers flexibility if combined with relevant experience or skills.
