Careers for History and Social Sciences Graduates

Though this particular article is written from History Graduates specifically, the basic concept and ideas can be used for related subjects like Anthropology, Archeology, Languages, Classics, and more!

“Consider the Transferable Skills You’ve Gained

Think about the abilities you developed while earning your history degree. Jobs that utilize your strong research and writing abilities will likely suit you well even if they’re not directly related to the field of history. For example, you might excel in a position in which you get to research and analyze historical trends in order to determine the best courses of action. In such a position, you may even get to present your findings and make persuasive recommendations to board members, managers, coworkers, and the public.

As a history major, you also likely have a unique perspective on the world. You can easily identify patterns and relationships that other people would have difficulty recognizing. It’s also probable that you can easily discern between fact and fiction, and that you know how to communicate your ideas well. Your strong knowledge of the past probably means that you have a good idea of what direction to go in the future. Those are all attractive employee attributes to many organizations.

So if you already have your history degree and are deciding what to do next, then consider your full spectrum of job options before heading off to graduate school. You may see an industry that speaks to you and decide to complete additional career training that complements your existing education. Here are a few sectors that may be worth considering:

Government administration and politics—Working in government often requires an understanding of historical policies and events, which makes it an attractive field for history majors. You could be conducting intensive research, preparing written and verbal reports, and arguing points intelligently and logically in order to persuade the public or other members of government. Examples of government jobs for history majors include positions like intelligence officer, legislative aide, lobbyist, lobbying researcher, political campaign researcher, urban planning researcher, and public policy analyst or researcher.
International relations and foreign affairs—Appreciating cultural diversity and understanding how history’s economic, political, religious, and social events have shaped the world’s current landscape means that you could be successful in an international relations career. You could work for government departments, private companies, or international organizations like the United Nations, IMF (International Monetary Fund), World Bank, Doctors Without Borders, Greenpeace, or Amnesty International.
Tourism—Working as a tour guide, educator, heritage site manager, or even as a national park manager appeals to many history graduates. It means that you get to share your love of history with the masses. You could also consider assisting municipalities and organizations with tourism development.
Filmmaking—Many history majors also have a passion for storytelling. As a result, they end up working in the film industry. You could create your own small-scale documentaries that detail historical events or document your own research findings. Or you could go big and work behind the scenes to make interesting and captivating historical blockbusters. Becoming a filmmaker is a great way to share your love of history with the masses.

How to Sell Your History Degree on Your Resume

Having a history degree means that you may be able to read, write, research, communicate, and think critically better than many other job candidates. And those are abilities that most employers seek when hiring new employees. In fact, a National Association of Colleges and Employers survey found that companies want to hire people who are capable of: