5 Careers for a Master’s in History Graduate

Master's in History Careers

• Museum Curator
• Archivist
• Secondary School Teacher
• Politics
• Publishers and Editors

If you currently hold or are thinking of pursuing a Master's in History, you might be wondering where you can put your skills to the best use in today's job market. Because history graduates are skilled in research, writing, understanding the past, and interpreting trends; careers are available in many different fields that you might find fulfilling. Here are five career options for you to consider.

Resource: 20 Best Affordable Online Master's in History Degree Programs

Museum Curator

In the role of museum curator you would be responsible for acquiring and exhibiting artifacts at a museum or historical site. You might also be in charge of the museum's ongoing research projects, and you could also oversee educational programs and outreach. Curators also take part in fundraising and in networking with other museums. If you're interested in artifacts and how they can be best exhibited to educate the public, a curator might be a the career for you.

Archivist

Similar to curators, an archivist collects, catalogues, and displays historical records. These records are generally in the form of documents and letters that are historically significant. The Society of American Archivists adds that one of an archivist's main jobs is to select the records that should be saved, requiring a deep understanding of historical periods and cultural events. Archivists are detail-oriented individuals with the knowledge to make decisions on what is historically relevant and how best to make those records available to the public.

Secondary School Teacher

If you have a master's degree in history, you might consider a career in education. Many middle and high school social studies teachers hold an advanced degree in history along with their undergraduate degree in education. In some states, you're not required to have this undergraduate degree, but all states do require you to have a teaching license. Programs like Teach for America are also available. These programs allow individuals with expertise in a given subject to teach, mostly in inner-city schools, even without experience or training in the education field. Social studies teachers spend their time in classrooms teaching a broad range of history-related content. Teaching is a great choice if you are passionate about history and want to pass that love on to a younger generation.

Politics

The guardian claims that history degree holders make great politicians because an understanding of the past leads to better strategies for the future. Since the main job of a politician, whether at local or national level, is to be a competent leader who makes wise decisions for the future of the country and the people; it's a truly viable career option if you've studied history. Politicians can serve at all levels of government and can use their historical knowledge and research skills to have an impact that will last well into the future.

Publishers and Editors

With a Master's in History comes a vast experience in writing and research. For this reason, careers in the publishing field are extremely appropriate. You can work for a magazine, newspaper, or almost any other kind of publication in a number of capacities. You may edit and proofread content, decide what should be printed, or research information to determine the accuracy of printed material. If you enjoy the rigorous research and writing component of your degree, these careers might be a perfect fit.

History degree holders have so many different career paths from which to choose. It's simply a matter of determining the one that suits you best. With your master's in history, there are plenty of options to find the career that is most fulfilling for you.