Career Information for History Majors |
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It is important to understand that employers hire people, not degrees. The skills and knowledge you develop as a result of your education, as well as in your work and community activities, have the greatest impact on hiring decisions. Listed below are some specific knowledge and transferable skills you will acquire as a result of your university education and your focus on History.
Specific Knowledge Skills
- Research and interpret past and present events and forecast possible future trends
- Appreciate, understand, compile and apply diverse historical and cultural perspectives to a situation
- Gather, synthesize and analyze historical and contemporary information
- Identify precedents for policy development, decision making and strategic planning
- Investigate regulatory guidelines and make recommendations for compliance and preservation
- Authenticate materials, information and data for the purpose of ensuring accuracy and integrity
- Interpret and compare historical and contemporary information (for example, demographics)
- Produce well-researched material, integrating current and past interpretations and perspectives and develop effective presentation material to communicate information to various groups
- Ensure accuracy of historical information when creating or editing published materials or displays
Valuable Transferable Skills
Information-gathering and Communication Skills
- The skills required to identify and access a wide range of relevant information and resources
- The ability to compile and organize facts and information and to comprehend and apply new and/or unfamiliar information to different situations and settings
- Skills in preparing interesting, creative and informative presentations which target diverse audiences
- The ability to develop effective reports, presentations and materials using current technology
Thinking, Planning and Organizational Skills
- The ability to learn, understand and interpret information and apply knowledge to new situations
- The ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and effectively plan/manage time, data and resources
- Problem-solving skills and the ability to make well-reasoned decisions, think creatively and search for, identify and consider all sides of an issue
- Skills to effectively analyze and interpret a wide range of information and data to discuss, support and/or reject ideas, opinions, reports, theories and proposals
Teamwork and Management Skills
- Skills enabling you to work effectively as part of a team by identifying your role and contributing, through leading, teaching, motivating and/or encouraging others, to the success of the team
- An understanding of how to successfully identify, plan and contribute to the goals of a project
- The ability to oversee, supervise and/or contribute to a project from beginning to end including determining outcomes, planning details, making decisions, assigning roles and completing tasks
Some Career Options for History Majors
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Archivist
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Heritage Co-ordinator
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Preservation/Restoration Specialist
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Art History
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Historical Interpreter
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Museum Administrator
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Genealogical Researcher
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Conservator
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Curator/Collection Manager
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Internet Researcher
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Biographer
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Publication Researcher
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Historical Projects Co-ordinator
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Exhibit Designer
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Criminologist
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Public Policy Analyst
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Librarian/Library Technician
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Consumer Advocate
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Historian/Researcher
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Lawyer/Paralegal
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Public Administration
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International Relations Manager
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Journalist/Reporter/Critic
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Corporate Historian
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Resettlement Worker
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Community Development
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Politician/Campaign Manager
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Documentary Writer/Producer
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TV/Film Researcher
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Publisher
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University Admissions Officer
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Information Specialist
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Public Relations
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Foreign Correspondent/Journalist
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Consultant
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Urban Planner
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Insurance Agent/Broker
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Demographer
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Human Resources
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International Development
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Intelligence Officer
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Tourism Consultant
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Cultural Affairs Specialist
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Collections Officer
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Forensic Analyst
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| Commnuity Program Manager | Corporate Communication | Curator |
| Bibliographer | Teacher/Professor | Antique Dealer |
| Immigration Officer | Political Aide | Appraiser |
| Arts Administrator | Acquisitions Editor | Technical Writer |
Potential Employers
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Museums/Archives/Libraries
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Heritage Foundations
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Educational Institutions
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Market Research Firms
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Historical Socities
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Municipalities
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Statistics Canada/Polling Organizations
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Media Organizations
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Chambers of Commerce
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Hospitality Industry
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Insurance Companies
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Political Parties
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National Parks
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Publishing Companies
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Research Firms
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Community Development Associations
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Government
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Embassies/Consulates
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Social Service Agencies
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Corporations
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Non-Profit Organizations
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Websites