What can you do with a degree in history?
Read the stories of Calvin history alumni in various fields in the links below. For an outside opinion, read New York Times columnist
David Brooks and Norm Augustine, former undersecretary of the Army and CEO of Lockheed Martin, in a Wall Street Journal article.
Teach, yes. . .
About half of Calvin history graduates are now working in education, from middle school social studies to high school history to university faculty and administration. But teaching history is only one of many options.
and a great deal more.
The knowledge learned and skills gained in four years as a history major—researching, interpreting sources, critical reading and thinking, writing reports and other effective communication—will prepare you for a variety of fields.
Like government and business,
Several of our graduates have gone on to political, international relations, and diplomatic careers. Others use their degrees in marketing, business, and even law enforcement.
pre-law and pre-med,
History is also a good undergraduate major for many fields requiring an advanced degree including law. Some have even found a Calvin history degree to be an asset for getting into medical school.
international relief and justice ministries,
Many history graduates use the knowledge and skills they have acquired studying history in international relief and justice ministries.
archeology and anthropology,
A history degree can be a stepping stone to related fields like archaeology, cultural resource management, and anthropology, as our graduates have discovered.
ministry and missions,
A history degree provides excellent preparation for seminary, and many of our graduates go on to pastorates, missions, and other ministries both in the U.S. and abroad.
writing and performing arts,
The skills honed as a history major can lead to a career in writing and editing. Understanding historical context can inform and enhance careers in music and performing arts.
libraries and archives,
All that time spent reading and doing research while studying history can be put to good use with a career in libraries and archives.
and work in museums.
And of course, some of our graduates work in museums–including the new fields of virtual museums and cultural preservation–and other forms of public education.
For more insights on what you can do with a history degree, visit the American Historical Association.
