Careers in history ?

Im aware that I can do a Law conversion, teaching, the heritage sector, marketing, journalism etc but I was wondering what else can be done with it?

Reply 1

eve_9045

You could definitely go into politics with a history degree, and of course all the traditional areas such as museum work. You could become a specialist in a particular area, write biographies etc. History is a very versatile degree really, it shows that you have critical thinking and writing abilities, therefore you could go anywhere where a literature degree is also preferable. You could also go corporate and into international affairs. I am going to be studying history and literature and I am planning on working in the UN or the political sphere, potentially media. Good luck!

Reply 2

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Original post

by Betwixt

Im aware that I can do a Law conversion, teaching, the heritage sector, marketing, journalism etc but I was wondering what else can be done with it?

Anything that anyone with any other degree can do. Basically all generalist grad schemes, from investment banking to accountancy to sales to the civil service, NGOs, charities, etc. If you want to know what things you can do that are much more specifically in line with history which may require a history or historical degree, then there's also archival based roles which are much more aligned with historical degrees. If you go on to do a PhD etc then there's various potential options within academia although this is very competitive.

You're really asking the wrong question though because you're framing it as trying to find the limits of what you can do with a history degree, which there aren't that many and which are mainly defined by what you want to do. There are a few exceptions of e.g. obviously highly numerate roles requiring a mathematical/quantitative degree (e.g. quantitative finance, engineering sector roles, etc) or roles which require a particular professional registration (e.g. most healthcare professions roles, social work, etc). Granted even then, the latter category you can often retrain in after another degree anyway. But otherwise in general employers don't really care what degree subject you did.

You should start from the basis of what you may be interested in doing, and then work out what the best pathway to that is with a degree in whichever subject you're considering e.g. history. Because it doesn't really matter if you can do XYZ with a history degree if you have no interest in doing those things.

Reply 3

McGinger

As above - anything and everything. Many employers want graduates for their 'higher thinking skills' and not because of any specific subject knowledge. If you can, pick a History degree with an inbuilt work-placement or study abroad, these add enormously to your graduate CV and your employability.

Some job examples - w4mp | The site for everyone working for an MP - not just 'politics' jobs, lots of charity and think-tank jobs as well. And Government Fast Stream - many schemes dont require a specific degree - Fast Stream | Civil Service Careers

Reply 4

UniofLawstudent3

Official Rep

Original post

by Betwixt

Im aware that I can do a Law conversion, teaching, the heritage sector, marketing, journalism etc but I was wondering what else can be done with it?

Hello,

A history degree is great because it gives you so many options! Beyond the areas you have mentioned, you could go into politics, accounting, tax, HR, investment banking, insurance, social work, media..... nearly anything! You are only really limited by not being able to go for jobs that require a strong science/maths background, but as others have said, you are not totally barred, as you can do further study to qualify for these roles.

I would recommend attending university careers fairs to get an idea of the range of jobs out there. There are comparatively not very many graduate roles which will not accept a history degree. Reaching out to your university's alumni network can be another good way to get some ideas, especially from former history students.

I hope this is helpful!

Layla
SQE student