History
History majors often pursue careers in government, politics, law, museum and non-profit work, journalism, education, and business. Some of these fields and specialties require a master’s degree or other post-graduate training.
Career Fields
Government and Public Service
- Public administration in federal government agencies such as Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Policy analysis (e.g., Department of Immigration, Department of Housing and Urban Development)
- Social statistics and demography (e.g., Census Bureau; federal and state agencies; private foundations)
- State and local governments (e.g., Job Corps, Urban Planning)
- Agencies providing museum support
- Legal departments
Strategies: consider semester or summer internships in Washington DC; volunteer in political and community action campaigns; law school; become active in student government; consider a graduate degree in areas such as social and public policy.
Politics
- Political campaigns (speech writer; researcher; organizer)
- Staff of legislator, governor, mayor or other elected public official
- National and state political party headquarters
- Public interest and advocacy groups at national and international levels
Strategies: become active in public and community programs; search DuqConnection for posted PA internships in Harrisburg; join student political organizations and parties; volunteer in advocacy programs and action groups.
Library and Information Sciences
- Librarian (public or academic library)
- Information sciences
- Computerized records
- Data base management
- School librarian
Strategies: consider master’s degree in library science and/or information science; seek a work study position in Gumberg Library, if eligible; take a part-time job or volunteer in a public library; contact librarians at any library for information on library education and careers; take courses in information technology; study data base management or computer science; intern at an information sciences organization such as Management Science Associates.
Archival and Preservation/Restoration
- Corporate departments responsible for preserving historical documents
- Firms offering preservation and restoration services
- National archives
- Private and non-profit organization collections
Strategies: take courses or obtain a master’s degree in historic preservation or archiving; take courses or obtain an advanced degree in historical collection management; seek internships in museums and archives; interview and job shadow archivists and/or preservationists in local organizations such as the Heinz History Center.
Non-classroom Education
- Museum education
- Interpreter/caretaker of specialty museum
- National and state parks visitor centers and park ranger
- Outdoor and environmental education
Strategies: take courses and specialize in a content area such as the environment; do internships in non-classroom education settings such as Heinz History Center, state parks and national monuments. Develop excellent written and oral communication skills. Hone organizational skills and develop attention to detail.
Classroom Teaching
- Teacher, middle or high school (social studies curriculum)
- College teaching in a university, four-year or community college
Strategies: pursue concurrent bachelor's degree in Secondary Education or pursue post-graduate certification programs such as Master of Secondary Education; research state certification requirements in various states for teaching in public and/or private schools; be prepared to relocate to states (typically southern and mid-Atlantic) and/or locales (e.g., rural and inner cities) where demand for new teachers tends to be high; consider “Teach for America” following graduation.