Jobs, Graduate Programs, Summer Internships & More

If you are interested in teaching at the secondary school level, please see Dr. Harrison about the education program. If you are interested in pursuing an MA or Ph.D. in history, please see Dr. Eelman. If you are interested in law school, please see Dr. Len Cutler in the Political Science department.

But what if you do not want to teach or go to law school? What can you do with your degree in History or American Studies? There are many history-related jobs in the field of public history (museums, etc.) that are not teaching jobs. Your best bet to enter this line of work is through a history internship. See Dr. Mahar or Dr. Dorsey for more information about academic internships in history, and see internship information.

HOWEVER, do not assume that you are confined to careers in history or education. If you wish to pursue a paid position in history, by all means, look at the opportunities below. But realize that your skills are desired in other fields, particularly business. See, for example, Goldman Sachs: http://www.goldmansachs.com/careers/how-to-apply/internships-and-entry-level-positions/index.html Or General Electric http://www.ge.com/careers/index.html. GE and other large firms employ non-scientists and engineers in human resources, customer relations, financial services, and sales. Business internships are an excellent way for history and American Studies majors to find out how the "real world" works. College graduates are often frustrated because entry-level jobs require 1-3 years of "experience." But if you take on 1-2 internships as an undergraduate, you can accumulate on-the-job experience and be ready for an entry-level career position upon graduation. Please see the Career Center for a listing of business internships. Do not confine your internship or job search to history alone, nor prejudge how you might or might not like the business world until you try it.

Please look at job openings NOW, even if you are a freshman. Go to the Career Center as soon as possible, perferably by sophomore year, and look at the job openings in other fields. Even if you are not ready to apply, you can see what you need to do to prepare yourself for the next step. Also, some of the more interesting summer programs, such as internships at living history museums, have February deadlines.

Career Guides and Advice for History & American Studies Majors

Graduate Programs in Public History

Summer Living History Internships

Summer Archaeology Field Schools