# What can you do with a history degree? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 31, 2006, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668 "2006-07-31T04:57:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/1 "2006-07-31T04:57:56Z")
A while back, I received an email from the Alumni Association at my college, asking if I could write something about how I’m using my history degree today. Something like this: > [@](#): > > When we talk to freshmen interested in history, however, we often hear one question: “What can I do with a History degree?” Perhaps you have even asked this very same question yourself at some point. We have plenty of answers, but the most persuasive answer we can give is to point to the career trajectories of the hundreds of former History concentrators who have embarked upon successful careers in academia, law, journalism, business, government, education, medicine, creative writing and many other undertakings. And here we need your help. > > We would greatly appreciate it if you would share some of your experiences and write one or to paragraphs on how your training in history mattered in your professional life. The first and second paragraphs seem to be asking two different questions: “what have you done with a history degree?” v. “What has a history degree done for you?” While I’ve gone on to what I think is an interesting and successful career, I can’t really think of how my training in history has mattered in my professional life. I’ve suceeded more in spite of my choice of major than because of it. You see, I was a physics major for two years before slamming into the brick wall of advanced calculus. Since financial constraints dictated that I graduate in four years (the folks weren’t going to shell out another $20K), I had to find a major that I could complete with the limited time I had left. Ironically, it was precisely because history was so different a field that the switch was easy: the other sciences, while interesting, all had strict ladders of required courses that had to be completed and would take too many semesters. History courses, on the other hand, were wide open and had no set sequence. In addition, I’d already taken several history courses to satisfy my non-science requirements, while my physics courses could now be counted toward the science requirements of a history major. As an added bonus, while graduation required a final exam in your field of specialty (modern Europe, in my case), a thesis was not necessary if you weren’t going for an honors degree. I made my choice, passed the classes, and received my diploma. Since college, I’ve worked overseas (and not in Europe) as an English teacher, a tech writer for satellite and submarine networks, and most recently as an ad writer. Even at my current job, knowledge of science, math and engineering comes in handy much more than history. I do a lot of writing, but I think my writing style was helped more by reading a lot rather than studying history (in any case, my writing now is much better than it was in college). As for the degree itself, in cases where it’s helped, the companies I applied to were more impressed that I went to a name-brand university than with what I’d actually studied; I could have majored in accounting mythology for all they cared. Since an honest recounting of my undergraduate and post-college experiences probably wouldn’t persuade anyone to choose history as a major, I declined to respond. But it started me wondering: - Have any of you history majors out there gone on to make use of it in your professional lives? - If so, what are you doing? - If you could go back and do college over again, would you have picked a different major? (I probably would have gone with government, leaning toward international relations) ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/2 "2006-07-31T05:30:14Z")
I’m an English Major myself, so I can only help by sharing this little ditty: > [@](#): > > What do you do with a English major, > What do you do with a English major, > What do you do with a English major, > Earl-eye in the morning! > > Put him in the hold with the Captain’s daughter, > Put him in the hold with the Captain’s daughter, > Put him in the hold with the Captain’s daughter > Earl-eye in the morning! > > Way hay and up she rises > Way hay and up she rises > Way hay and up she rises > Earl-eye in the morning ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/3 "2006-07-31T05:35:20Z")
If you roll it up re-e-e-e-eally tight, it makes an admirable spit-ball shooter. ---
**Author:** ![burundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/4 "2006-07-31T13:56:04Z")
_- Have any of you history majors out there gone on to make use of it in your professional lives?_ I have been the education coordinator at two local history museums. I developed and presented programs for students from the kindegarten through the college level. I also worked on exhibit research, design, and production; special events planning; grant writing; etc. And since I never worked at a place with a staff of more than 5, I often was responsible for cleaning the bathrooms and gutters as well. I loved the job and how I was able to use my knowledge. Ultimately, though, I needed a better-paying job with benefits. (I never made more than $17,000 a year working at a museum.) _- If so, what are you doing?_ Currently, I work in higher ed admin. I still use what I learned, but right now the writing and research skills are more useful than my knowledge of history itself. My program heavily emphasized writing. _- If you could go back and do college over again, would you have picked a different major? (I probably would have gone with government, leaning toward international relations)_ I would have double-majored in history and Something Useful. Probably Spanish, since I like languages and businesses around here are desperate for bilingual employees. Possibly something like computer science or accounting. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/5 "2006-07-31T14:06:21Z")
Some I’ve known have gone on to Poli Sci or the Law. Of course, another friend who majored in History ended up as a Boiler Operator. A noble profession itself, but I’m not sure that knowing History helped at all. ---
**Author:** ![DVsickgirlDV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@DVsickgirlDV](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DVsickgirlDV)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/6 "2006-07-31T18:00:33Z")
> [@Sublight](#): > > - Have any of you history majors out there gone on to make use of it in your professional lives? > - If so, what are you doing? > - If you could go back and do college over again, would you have picked a different major? (I probably would have gone with government, leaning toward international relations) B.A. History, 2005, University of California, Riverside - emphasis on ancient Roman history. I currently am the office manager for a small size architecture firm, will start my M.A. in Urban Planning in Sept. Do I feel my history degree has been useful in my life? Yes and no. In a direct sense, no. Do I apply my vast knowledge of ancient Rome in my career? No, and probably never will. However, I do utilize the critical thinking involved with getting a B.A. in History on a daily basis, and will end up doing nothing but research/critical thinking for grad school. Especially for my future career, I think it is very important to be able to understand and analyze the past in order to prepare for the future. History is the foundation for the present and I feel I understand current events much more than my peers because I know the historical framework surrounding the events. If I could go back and do everything over again, I probably would have worked harder in the math/sciences and pursued a science degree but if I had to stay in the liberal arts realm I would stick with history. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/7 "2006-07-31T18:06:23Z")
Back when I was a history major (a historical event itself by now) my advisor, in a moment of candor, told me that the only thing that a history degree specifically qualified you to do was teach history students. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/8 "2006-07-31T18:25:19Z")
My husband has a degree in History and a degree in Political Science. So, naturally, he works in sales. There isn’t a lot of call for historians. That’s a shame, because he’d be fantastic doing that sort of work. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/9 "2006-07-31T18:42:50Z")
Well my friend the history major used it to write a novel about 19th century monster dogs living in New york. Does that count? ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/10 "2006-07-31T18:54:36Z")
I would think that consulting on documentaries and stuff like that would be within the realm. Gee…that would be fun! ---
**Author:** ![the\_Lady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@the\_Lady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_Lady)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/11 "2006-07-31T19:07:06Z")
I occasionally joke that my BA Hons. in History proves that I can read. I work as a negotiating landman in the oil industy, and other than being able to call up the details of mineral tenure as Western Canada was settled more easily than my coworkers, I wouldn’t say my degree is remotely relevant. ---
**Author:** ![burundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/12 "2006-07-31T19:12:49Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by **Kalhoun** > \* > I would think that consulting on documentaries and stuff like that would be within the realm. Gee…that would be fun!\* Wouldn’t that be a cool job? I recently served as a consultant for a friend’s production of Arthur Miller’s _All My Sons_. I did a lot of research on the everyday clothing and aesthetics of the late 1940s for them. It was a lot of fun, and it felt good to be doing that kind of work again, even for free. ---
**Author:** ![Subway\_Prophet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecb155/32.png) [@Subway\_Prophet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subway_Prophet)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/13 "2006-07-31T19:24:41Z")
> [@Sublight](#): > > What can you do with a history degree? Why, I could make a hat, or a brooch, or a pterodactyl… ---
**Author:** ![Opus1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/858c86/32.png) [@Opus1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Opus1)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/14 "2006-07-31T22:38:56Z")
Wow, reading the OP reminded me of myself. Also did 2 years of physics before shifting to history so I could finish in 4 years. Went on to law school after that. Can’t say my degree has been particularly helpful, except that I had a great time getting it. If I could do it again, I’d probably have majored in econ, since I’m now interested in law and economics. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2006, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/15 "2006-08-06T03:40:55Z")
I’m reminded of the poster that is up at many of the local colleges, universities, etc… in the liberal arts departments: "What can you do with a History Degree? " It then goes on to list great things like video production, security, musician, writer, painter, television broadcaster, self employed, OTR driver, salesman, landscaper, actor, philosopher, hairstylist, etc… I really, truly, wholeheartedly believe that having a History degree will not disallow anybody, ANYBODY, from doing these things. The sign sure helped. The History degree didn’t. get a degree in drama, it will take you much farther. hh ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2006, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/16 "2006-08-06T03:46:24Z")
> [@Little Nemo](#): > > Back when I was a history major (a historical event itself by now) my advisor, in a moment of candor, told me that the only thing that a history degree specifically qualified you to do was teach history students. That’s pretty much what I’m doing with mine. ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2006, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/17 "2006-08-06T03:58:47Z")
I minored in history because I was advised by my fantastic history professor that unless I was going to teach or be the most incredible historian ever to live and have film makers and writers banging on my door to assist them it would be better to have a degree in something more useful. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2006, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-you-do-with-a-history-degree/366668/18 "2006-08-06T04:25:57Z")
When I had just started at a new university (post associates degree), I decided on a history major. About a month into the semester, I was going to visit my mom in Oklahoma and had to take a cab to the airport. Along the way, I chatted with the cab driver and he told me that he had a history degree from my university. I asked if he was working toward something else and he said no, he was just driving the cab. I switched to an english major a couple of weeks later. Not that it matters because my career since is more suited to a business, marketing, or computer science major.