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Academic Advising
What Can I Do With a Major in History?
The study of the past prepares students to be informed citizens in the world today. Miami's history curriculum includes courses on North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Our classes range from broad surveys to tightly-focused seminars that require students to "do history." The history major prepares students to read intelligently, think critically, and write well. Doing history at this level asks students to move beyond a mere memorization of facts, places, and events. Miami's history classes require students to study primary sources, read secondary sources, and engage in historical debates. We also encourage history majors to study abroad and to integrate their experience with the skills they have learned in their undergraduate classes. The History major also serves as a foundation for successful careers in law, education, private nonprofit organizations, or public agencies. Along with a major in history, students in other majors can choose to minor in history.
Interests
The History Major is an excellent choice for students interested in analyzing and understanding the past. Historians study the ways and the reasons why societies, cultures, and boundaries change over time. Courses in history ask students to engage with the past in exciting ways and encourage them to re-imagine what they thought they knew about the people and the places that they study.
Competencies
- Research
- Analyzing ideas/information
Organizing materials/ideas
Compiling information
Comparing/contrasting ideas and information
Working with details
Adapting ideas
Understanding/interpreting the present/past
Interviewing
Examining all pertinent evidence - Understanding Society
- Analyzing impact of problems on society
Knowledge of how societies cope with changing circumstances
Explaining the present by referring to the past
Developing a world view - Communication
- Informing/explaining ideas
Describing and evaluating issues/problems/events
Observing people/data/things/reports
Comparing/compiling research reports
Interpreting events/ideas
Summarizing
Using written and spoken media - Project Development
- Developing/generating ideas and projects
Planning
Organizing materials/information
Seeing relationships between factors
Decision-making
Opportunities - Careers
- Government
- Policy evaluator
Public opinion pollster
Customs port investigator
International law and relations researcher
Public information coordinator
Foreign service officer
Intelligence specialist
Politician
Legislative aide
Paralegal
City manager
Departmental historian
Researcher (policy history and effectiveness) - Communications
- Public relations representative
Technical writer
Research/technical adviser (films/television)
Columnist/journalist
Editor (textbook, newspaper)
Costume designer
Visual aids reviewer
Publicationist - Education/Human Services
- Primary or secondary teacher
University teacher/researcher
College administrator
Clergy
Tour guide
Education agency and/or foundation employee
Adult education or corporate training program instructor
Historical program coordinator
Social service director - Research Preservation
- Archivist
Archives manager
Museum curator
Historic sites supervisor
Exhibit preparation coordinator
Historical background analyst
Genealogist (producing family histories)
Librarian
Biographer
Preservation specialist
Museum specialist - Business/Industry
- Market research analyst
Personnel officer
Sales/marketing representative
Investment researcher
Data processor
Loan administrator
Insurance agent
Underwriter
Manpower planner
Operations research analyst
Organizational planner
Management trainee
Textbook sales representative
Sales campaign planner
Travel agent
Corporation historian/archivist
Consultant/research, writing
Consultant/cultural resource management
Banker
Stockbroker
Account coordinator
Customer supply analyst
Note: Some of the listed career options may require additional education and/or training beyond the bachelor's degree.
Opportunities - Graduate/Professional School
Students can go on to academic history programs, public and applied history programs such as historic preservation, museum studies, and library studies, as well as professional programs such as those in law, business, and public administration.
Opportunities - Experiential
Internships and summer and part-time work with historical associations and societies, historical projects, museums, research institutions, service institutions, genealogical service companies, governmental agencies, public archives and libraries, publishing companies, etc; independent study or research in an area of interest, and involvement in student groups.
Sources of Additional Information
- Department of History (200 Upham Hall, 529-5121)
- * Curriculum Requirements
* Career Opportunities - Career Services (200 Hoyt Hall, 529-3831)
- * Career Resource Center
* Career Counseling
* Career Assistance Center
* Computerized Career Development Program
* Dictionary of Occupational Titles
* Occupational Outlook Handbook - Arts and Science Academic Advising (146 Upham Hall, 529-3031)
- * Miami Plan & College of Arts and Science Requirements
- * Course Selection
* Career Decision Making
Developed by the College of Arts and Science Advising Office and the academic departmental offices with adaptations from Liberal Arts and Sciences - Skills - Career Opportunities, Career Planning and Placement Office, University of Michigan.