History

What can I do with a History major besides teach?

(Not that there is anything wrong with that)

All history majors get asked, “What are you going to do with that?” or “Are you going to be a teacher?”  Most people asked the teacher question because that is the most obvious thing that a history major can become, and about one quarter of Simpson history majors do enter this worthy profession. However, that leaves three-quarters of majors who go on to do something else!  

Many history majors go on to pursue advanced degrees in law or business. In fact, history majors have the highest rate of acceptance into law school of any major. Others go on to graduate work in history, library science, and archival work. Still others work for the government or in the private sector.  

The big secret is that the skills that students learn as a history major are eagerly sought after by employers. Critical thinking and excellence in written and oral communication are prized in every field. These are the skills that students will develop and hone as they learn about the past. By studying history, students learn how to research and analyze information, problem-solve, write persuasively, and speak publicly.

So the real question is not “what can I do with a history major?” It is, “what can’t I do with a history major?”  

A few famous history majors:

  • U.S. Presidents - Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, and George W. Bush
  • Journalism - Wolf Blitzer, Seymour Hersh, and Charles Kerault
  • Business - Carly Fiorina and Martha Stewart
  • Entertainment - Steve Carrell, Conan O’Brien, Sacha Baron Cohen, Edward Norton, Michael Palin, Janeane Garofalo, Jimmy Buffett (?!), Lauryn Hill
  • Reformers - W.E.B. DuBois
  • Law - Antonin Scalia

 

Last Updated: 12/3/08