Apart from digging up facts about the past, history majors get to build skills that are applicable in many industries. Employers now prefer to hire graduates who have adequate research, analytical, and problem-solving skills. History is one of the versatile degrees that helps to prepare students for today’s competitive workforce.
There’s a popular belief that history majors have a limited number of career options but that’s really not the case. History buffs have skills that can make them relevant in any sector of their choice. Their career prospects are beyond being a librarian, researcher, and teacher. Here are some cool jobs for history majors.
1. Genealogist
History is one degree that teaches how to connect the dots between the past and the present. And genealogy is a field that allows you to utilize those skills acquired during your history education. As a genealogist, you’ll help people discover where they really originated from by researching their background and tracing their bloodlines.
Individuals or families who are interested in knowing their ancestry usually ask genealogists for help. History buffs who choose this career path will learn to gather birth, marriage, and death certificates as well as immigration, property, and tax records. Such vital documents will help them study the historical lineage of their clients.
2. Music historian
History majors who love music should consider becoming music historians. These are people who get to study music from a historical perspective. A musical historian’s job is to research the lives of musicians and the history of musical genres or instruments. Then, they publish their findings in journals, magazines, or books.
Music historians can work as college professors, museum curators, music librarians, and any other position that allows them to practice their craft. They can also become independent authors who publish and sell their books. A bachelor’s degree in history, musicology, or music history can help anyone get started as a musical historian.
3. Documentary filmmaker
With an education in history, you’re equipped with vital skills needed to research and make historical documentaries. These are films that capture the stories and real-life experiences of people, places, and events. A documentary filmmaker is someone that uses reality and factual stories to make compelling documentaries.
They are often inspired by the need to capture stories and viewpoints that are not being covered by mainstream media. A documentary filmmaker could be a researcher, writer, photographer, director, editor, or producer. They may choose to work independently or become part of a filmmaking company.
4. Tour guide
History buffs who have a charismatic personality and love to interact with people may consider working as tour guides. It’s a cool job that involves accompanying groups of people to tourist attractions or museum exhibitions. They provide guests with information about landmarks, figures, and local customs. Their job is to make sightseeing trips memorable and exciting.
Whether the tour guide is a local or not, they have to research and learn the history of their region. This helps them provide accurate knowledge to inform and educate their numerous guests. They need to have a wealth of historical knowledge about places, good memorization skills, awesome storytelling abilities, and great oral communication skills.
5. Dramaturge
History majors who are interested in theatre arts can pursue a career as dramaturges. They would work with playwrights and theater companies to research and adapt plays to make sure they are culturally and historically accurate. These art enthusiasts would use their education in history to contribute to the drama world.
Dramaturges research historical facts to make sure the costume, props, colloquialism, and hairstyles are appropriately used by the production’s cast and crew. They use their research skills to help writers, directors, and actors produce quality historical plays. History buffs who want to become dramaturges would benefit from a master’s in dramaturgy.
6. Historian / Researcher
There are lots of opportunities for history majors who prefer to work as historians or researchers. They would use their research, analytical and critical thinking skills to gather data on specific topics. Researchers could work as market analysts in a variety of industries and help them collect market data, analyze it and make useful reports.
Historians help to preserve documents and artifacts by writing reports and books. They study historical developments in certain time periods, geographics, or cultural narratives. Historians may work for colleges, museums, movie production companies, government agencies, and individual employers. They may also remain independent by starting their own company or publishing their own books.
Conclusion
History majors can choose to pursue any career path in a variety of fields. Their education helps them develop in-demand skills and prepares them to join the workforce. The cool jobs mentioned above would help history buffs realize that they can go in any possible direction. Their degree doesn’t limit them to being school teachers or college professors.
