What can I do with a history degree?

Are you thinking about a degree in history, but worried about getting a job after you graduate? Check out this list of careers to find out what you could do to turn your passion for the past into a profession.

What are your skills?

A history degree isn’t a vocational degree, but you can still develop skills that will help in the workplace such as:

putting forward ideas and arguments in a concise manner.

an ability for clear expression both oral and written.

organising material in a logical and coherent way.

For employers, these skills will be more important than the actual subject of your degree. So, it’s worth thinking about your skills, then considering how you might develop and use them in the jobs listed below.

Which job?

Lawyer

It will take some extra study at law school, but history students have the expertise needed in research and analysis to be successful lawyers or paralegal assistants. Communication skills will come in handy in these jobs, too. You could start out making £20,000-£30,000 as a paralegal. Find out more from the Junior Lawyers website.

Teacher

This is perhaps the most obvious path to follow, especially if you are comfortable presenting your passion for history in front of students. You will likely need to do some teachers’ training along the way, but helping others learn could be worth the extra studies. Starting teachers can make from £21,000 up to £26,000, depending on where they teach.

Museum curator

A museum curator is responsible for organising, caring for, and displaying works of art or historical pieces in a museum. They also have the task of educating the public about the museum’s pieces. You’ll need a large passion for your subject, because you’ll have to study at the Master’s or PhD level to get the job. You could start out making £13,000-£15,000. Check out more info from the Times Online.

Tour guide

This might be a good starting point on the road to a curator position, or it might be a lifelong passion. Either way, you’ll be using your communication skills and research on a subject to educate others. Tour guide salaries will depend on where you work. You could also volunteer and gain experience to put on your CV. This site has more info about getting work in museums as a tour guide or a curator.

Writer or Editor

If you’re passionate and knowledgeable about history and are good at writing, you might want to write a book about a historical figure or event. It may sound like an attractive idea but be warned, the pay is difficult to predict, and your book may not get published. You might find more stable work as an editor for a publisher, since you’ll have the writing skills needed for the job. You could make somewhere between £18,000 and £30,000 depending on where you work. You can find more information here.