Be sure to check out the Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Job Advice for New Grads!”
Career Information
History Majors develop research, writing and analysis skills, along with organization and managerial skills. Employers who hire history majors include Government Agencies, Public Interest Groups, Financial Institutions and Law Firms. Some of the careers open to individuals are correspondent, columnist, legal profession, and corporate management.
Please note that this listing is very limited and opportunities also exist in many areas of business where the abilities to analyze, prepare information and present material to others are necessary.
The History faculty has a wide range of career experience, including teaching and research, but also extending to a variety of jobs in the private and public sectors. To discuss your career goals, consult your history professor or contact any of the other faculty career advisers.
Helpful Links
The History Department, like most departments of the College of Arts & Sciences, offers qualified students the opportunity to integrate theory and research with practical experience through the Internship Program.
The program is designed to help undergraduate students build a relationship with professionals in the private and public sector, make difficult career choices, experience an organization without a lengthy obligation, and discover long-term interests and aspirations. Internship FAQs
National Council on Public History
Careers in History (from the American Historical Association)
AHA Data on the Historical Profession (from the American Historical Association)
The Job Market and Other Reports on the Historical Profession (American Historical Association)
Villanova University Career Services
Volunteers in Parks (National Park Service)
American Association for State and Local History
American Historical Association
Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation
Corporation for National Service (Americorps)
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Museum Employment Resource Center
National Archives and Records Administration
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Opportunity Knocks (nonprofit-sector jobs)
PBS (in Philadelphia, WHYY)
Dr. Abugideiri - relations with middle eastern countries.
Dr. Gallicchio - working for the federal government.
Dr. Giesberg - secondary school teaching.
Dr. Keita - public policy, non-governmental organizations.
Dr. Kerrison - public history consulting, museum studies, paralegal studies, airline industry careers.
Dr. Lindenmeyr - non-governmental organizations, international humanitarian organizations.
Dr. Rosier - environmental activist, sales/business.
Fr. Ryan - business, religion-related fields.
Dr. Steege - athletic coaching, elementary through college.
Dr. Sullivan - museum curator, art collector, art historian.
Dr. Winer - graduate studies, college administration.
Preparation for Law School (ABA)
Librarians and Library Science (About.com)
So You Want to Be an Archivist
Careers in Folklore (CNN)
Grad School Admissions (About.com)
History Department Procedures for Study Abroad Requests
Students are required to apply for the study abroad program through the Office of Education Abroad and complete a set of registration materials.
Students should drop off their study abroad approval form to the History Department in the Saint Augustine Center for Liberal Arts, Room 403, along with the associated syllabi (not short course descriptions). Faculty experts in History and Art History will review each course request. Please allow 48-72 hours for your syllabi review. Phone or email requests for approval will not be considered.