To
teach at the elementary or secondary level you need a single subject
teaching credential, a B.A. in history or social sciences, and to
pass the CBEST . Plan early -there are a few education classes that
you can take as an undergraduate. To teach at a community college
you need an M.A. as a minimal requirement. Most professors at
universities have earned a Ph.D. For up-to-date information on
teaching at the elementary or secondary school level consult with
the CASE office in Chaparral Hall.
Historians
as Managers:
The
study of history provides a context within which to understand how
people interact with each other in a wide variety of
social/political/economic situations. Some academic fields “train”
students for narrowly defined careers in specialty areas. History
“educates” students to be effective generalists in a multitude
of settings. The term “managers” suggests people who know how to
deal effectively with other people, provide necessary leadership in
difficult situations, and accomplish goals with purpose and
intelligence. Broadly educated history majors have been encouraged
to think critically and typically are able to articulate their
thoughts well both orally and in written communication. Business and
public service agencies actively seek the kind of people described
in this category.
Historians as Communicators:
Included in this category are positions as
writers, editors, journalists, documentary editors, and producers of
multimedia material. Such jobs require conducting research to insure
authenticity of a particular historical person or era. The field
also employs researchers for news broadcasts and programming and
production staffs. For more information, contact The National
Association of Broadcasters, 1771 “N” Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. URL: http://www.nab.org.
Historians as Information Managers:
Technological experience is helpful in the field
of information management, which includes the acquisition,
organization, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of information.
History students can use their history education for positions as
archivists, records managers, librarians, and information managers.
For more information, contact the Society of American Archivists,
527 S. Wells Street, 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60607-3922.
URL: http://www.archivists.org.
Historians as Researchers:
Work at museums, historical organizations, or
work in cultural resources management or historic preservation.
These careers require the ability to identify, classify, and
preserve historical documents and other source material in museums,
galleries, libraries, and historical societies. Larger corporations
and government agencies also employ historical archivists. For more
information, contact the Society of American Archivists, 527 S.
Wells Street, 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60607-3922. URL:
http://www.archivists.org or American Association of Museums,
1575 Eye Street, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. URL: http://www.aam-us.org.
Historians as Advocates:
The legal profession uses the historian’s skills for research,
writing, analysis, and persuasion. A B.A. in history is an excellent
springboard into law school, or employment as a paralegal, in
litigation support, for legislative staff work, and in foundations.
For more information, contact The American Bar Association, 750
15th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. URL: http://abanet.org.
Historians in Government Service:
Foreign Service Officers work to strengthen foreign understanding
and support for U.S. policies and actions. Overseas service is
required, and officers are often placed in foreign embassies and
consulates. For more information, contact The U.S. Department of
State, HR/REE, SA-1, 2401 E Street, N.W., 5th Floor
Highrise, Washington, D.C. URL: http:// http://www.state.gov/employment.
For additional information about careers for history majors, see
Careers
in History a publication of the American Historical Association.
