What can I do with a history degree?

If you love studying the past, you might pursue a degree in history at university. Like other liberal arts disciplines, history is known as a stereotypically less "employable" major, but that doesn't mean you can't find opportunities.

Some careers are defined by the college degree you obtain. Doctors must have a degree in medicine, engineers must study engineering, and so forth. Others, however, are open to a far wider range of educational backgrounds.

It might seem daunting to find the right profession, but there are jobs where having a background in history is a great asset!

In becoming a teacher, your degree is not only an advantage, but a requirement.

You'll need a teaching license, often obtained separately from your degree. In some schools, you might eventually need a master's degree in education in addition to your history degree, which you can obtain while working at the school. Your school might even subsidize your master's studies.

You should keep in mind that the pay may vary depending on location. The average salary range for teachers in the U.S. and Canada around 2021-2023 is as follows:

• U.S.: $47,296 to $69,070 🗽

• Canada: $46,115 to $86,516 (in Canadian dollars) 🍁

Photo by Kaiyu Wang on Unsplash

Another area where your studies will be an advantage is museum work. Possible job titles in this realm (along with average U.S. salaries) include:

• Archivist: help preserve and store historical documents ($51, 386) 📜

• Docent: lead guided tours through the museum ($41,940) 👩🏻‍🏫🏺

• Development associate: help raise and manage funds for the museum (salaries vary widely depending on the institution — in some places, you can earn as much as $80,000per year) 💵

Working as a public servant could be a stable career for you. Many government jobs require workers to write well, demonstrate an analytical mindset, and possess knowledge about the world. These skills are easily transferrable from a history degree!

Some government roles especially well-suited to history majors (along with average U.S. salaries) are:

• Intelligence analyst: analyzes government information ($61,000)

• Foreign service officer: assists in international affairs and diplomatic programs abroad ($100,000)

• Congressional aide: assists members of Congress in legislative tasks ($52,000)

The field most likely to make you lots of money is business! A history degree can provide a solid foundation for different types of business careers, such as marketing, public relations, and content strategy. There are too many to count!

Salaries vary massively by field, experience, and company. Obtaining a minor or double major in a business-related field during your university studies could give you the added knowledge you need to impress companies.

Whether you're wondering whether to pursue history studies, are already a history major, or are a recent graduate, there are many routes you can take to a successful career with an undergraduate history degree.

Before you ask yourself, "What can I do with a history degree?" you you might want to ask yourself these questions first:

Although figuring out your career goals with a history degree can be a challenging journey, with determination and hard work, you can be successful!