Careers in History
What can you do with a History degree?
Here at UNI, there are a number of resources available to students to guide them in their search for internships and employment after graduation. Students gain hands-on experience through Service Learning courses like HIST 1011 Field Experience: Public History, where students spend 15 hours working on a public history project in a local institution. This seminar provides an introduction to various professions related to the major.
Career Services provides students guidance on building their resume through volunteer opportunities.
UNI History graduates are successful in a variety of areas, from education to law, government agencies, journalism and publishing, and archives, museums, and historic sites, and they work across the United States, even Hawaii. The skills history students acquire are valued by employers in both the public and the private sectors, and the outlook for employment is high, both at the national level and at the state level in Iowa.
Museums & National Parks
UNI's Department of History offers a special track with a Certificate in Public History for students who are interested in museum work or national park service.
Public History students learn to present historical information to the public, curate museum exhibits and work at historic sites. In fact, the curator for the Johnson County Historical Society is a UNI graduate. Another of is curator of interpretation at the Wisconsin Historical Society–Old World Wisconsin.
Politics & Law
For students interested in politics or law, studying history is a fantastic choice.
Majoring in history provides students with the context they need to understand contemporary political and social problems. It also prepares you for law school, should you choose to pursue that path. Many well-known politicians received degrees in history, including American Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt, Senator George McGovern and former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Business & Finance
Creating a successful career in business does not require a business degree (ssh, don't tell UNIBusiness!).
History majors study diplomacy and conflict resolution, learn how to communicate effectively, and how differing personalities shape institutions and societies. With these essential skills, many of our history students have gone on to develop successful careers in business, banking and finance.
Administration & Human Resources
Some of our students go on to pursue a graduate education in history, and become professors or instructors at colleges and universities.
Many others find jobs in administration or human resources. Many of our grads have gone onto academic affairs (and now work at UNI!). Others have gone on to be administrators or service providers in medical centers, nursing homes, child care centers and corporations.
