Is Majoring in History Worth It?

History majors explore the causes, experiences and effects of the past. They look to understand the similarities and differences of the human experience over time. Political or social history are the most common specialties that historians will go for. For those who enjoy historical novels, genealogy, collecting things like coins, artifacts and stamps, visiting museums or watching the history channel, majoring in history is a common path!

While only a small percentage of history majors become historians, most go into professions that utilize the skills they learned in their major. Jobs such as lawyers, politicians, writers, teachers, journalists, researchers or librarians are common career paths. The skills that history students gain can easily translate to making a stable career. Some of the skills include writing, critical thinking and analysis, research and more.

A popular career path for history majors is as an educator, working in schools and colleges, historical sites, museums, etc. Note that most history positions in higher education require a Ph.D.

History programs will differ by school. Lower-level classes usually include the histories of the United States, Europe and the non-Western world plus courses in historical methods and how to do research. Upper-level courses allow for more focus in areas of interest and are frequently taught in a seminar format. It is common for history majors to choose a specific focus for their major and pursue a capstone project.

With research being such a large portion of studying history, choosing a school with an extensive library–or a school that has access to one–is important. Look for access to journals, databases, archives, etc. See what connections the history department has with museums, historical societies, historical sites and more. These could be great places to get internships or network with other historians.

If you have an interest in history, there are other majors that you can explore! Look at programs like archeology, anthropology, art history, American, European or Asian history, women’s studies, economics, classics or political science. All of these majors are typically associated with history majors.

History majors are typically well-suited in careers involving research and writing. Their skills translate well to so many career paths, you just need to find the right one for you!