Undergraduate Program
A Career in History
What do I DO with a history major?
While many students major in history or simply express a deep interest in the field, they are unable to see the enormous range of career possibilities in history. That range increases even further if you have enhanced your degree with language skills, internships (www.pitt.edu/~pitthist/internships.html), certificate programs, and multiple majors and minors. You are only limited by your imagination!
History majors can consider graduate history programs with different specializations, offering degrees in areas such as archives, historic preservation, media, public policy, and museum studies. A major in history provides an excellent foundation for students planning to do advanced work in other fields too, such as anthropology, business, communications, economics, education, information and library sciences, law, medical sciences, museum studies, and political science—to name just a few.
And for those students who do not wish to pursue an advanced degree, the knowledge, writing skills, and analytical skills developed as a history major prepare students to work in a variety of fields, including information technology, advertising, insurance, media, museums, research institutions, travel, and public relations, among others. Or, put another way, graduates of history can transfer their skills and interests into nonprofit, public, government, and private sector careers.
So when students ask what they can do with a history major, as an advisor I respond, "What CAN’T you do with a history major?"
Select Career Resources
Placement and Career
Services
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the resources
available at Placement and Career Services, located in 224 WPU.
Students have the opportunity to speak and work with a career advisor
with experience in specialized fields, such as history. In addition,
the office provides students with workshops and events that help
in the career and job search.
The American Historical
Association
Offering resources on both professional and teaching concerns,
this site is the best starting point for those interested in careers
in history.