Careers in History

“You want to major in history? What kind of job can you get with that?” 

Does this seem like a common refrain these days? We can help!

The field of history involves much more than memorizing facts and dates. History is a craft. It involves a set of skills that historians use to understand the past and communicate that knowledge to others. It also helps us make sense of the big challenges we face today.

At the same time, studying history imparts valuable skills that prepare students for a wide range of employment opportunities. Some careers are specific to history education, research, and heritage promotion (like history teacher, archivist, librarian, or museum curator). Others jobs are much further afield (like lawyer, government worker, business manager, non-profit director, or union organizer). These are just some of the possibilities a History major can explore.

Brock alumna Jessica Linzel (History BA 2018, History MA 2021) stands in front of the Brown Homestead historic site, where she serves as director of research and collections, St. Catharines, August 2023. Settled by Loyalist John Brown and his family in 1785, The Brown Homestead is one of the oldest Loyalist homes in Ontario and has been open to the public since 2015. (Brock News)

Career Possibilities

(Some options may require further/prior education)

  • Administrator
  • Anthropologist
  • Archeologist
  • Archivist
  • Biographer
  • Business manager
  • Civil servant
  • Copywriter
  • Demographer
  • Digital information specialist
  • Diplomat
  • Diplomatic officer
  • Editor
  • Educational tour guide
  • Film consultant
  • Filmmaker
  • Genealogist
  • Government worker
  • Historian
  • Historic preservationist
  • Human resources professional
  • Human rights and equity officer
  • International relations officer
  • Journalist
  • Law enforcement officer
  • Lawyer
  • Librarian
  • Literary agent
  • Museum/heritage site curator
  • Museum/heritage site guide
  • Nonprofit organization director
  • Nongovernmental organization (NGO) worker
  • Policy analyst
  • Public official
  • Public service officer
  • Publisher
  • Researcher
  • Teacher
  • Union organizer
  • Writer

Degree-Specific Skills

  • Active listening
  • Applying knowledge
  • Attention to detail
  • Critically analysing arguments and evidence
  • Editing and proofreading
  • Facilitating group discussions
  • Finding common ground among diverse point of view
  • Interpreting information from a variety of sources
  • Observational skills 
  • Oral communication 
  • Placing events in historical context 
  • Problem-solving 
  • Qualitative and quantitative research 
  • Summarizing information 
  • Written communication 

Career information

Job-Finding Aids