Careers for History Majors: 2nd Edition - Paperback

by Julia Brookins (Editor), Brendan Gillis (Editor), Laura Ansley (Editor)

Studying history has intrinsic value. It can also cultivate durable skills necessary for success in the wide range of careers that are available to history majors.

Through clear graphs and informal prose, Careers for History Majors equips readers with data, practical advice, specific strategies, and answers to common questions about the study of history and the value it has for individuals, their workplaces, and their communities. A resource for intellectual exploration, personal inspiration, and planning, it describes the abilities and habits of mind that students develop in college history programs. Readers can see how the skills students learn in a history major line up with the skills employers are looking for. The booklet's contributors include alumni working in a wide range of fields and occupations as well as professional historians. Together, they show how today's college students can prepare themselves to use historical thinking to tackle tomorrow's problems.

Current and prospective students will discover an array of useful materials inside, as will their families, career and academic advisers, faculty, program administrators, and staff. General readers can explore statistics, personal stories, and reflections on the many ways that knowledge of the past-as well as the skills it takes to understand and communicate that past-empowers individuals to contribute and thrive in their academic, work, and civic lives.

Author Biography

Julia Brookins is senior program analyst, teaching and learning, at the American Historical Association. She earned a bachelor's degree from Harvard University and a master's and PhD from the University of Chicago.

Laura Ansley is senior managing editor at the AHA.

Brendan Gillis is director of teaching and learning at the American Historical Association. He majored in history before earning a PhD and applies durable skills he developed along the way in every aspect of his professional life.