Snapshots of Recent History Graduates (B.A.)

What can you do with a history degree? We asked some of our recent graduates about their jobs since graduating with a bachelor's degree. Read their comments about their current positions, the career paths they followed so far, and how the skills they developed studying history transferred to a wide range of employment fields.

PUBLIC RELATIONS, Atlanta Falcons
"Summer internships during college were crucial to acquiring this position. The research skills, writing skills, and the ability to condense a bunch of information into a smaller, more general concept were all skills that the U of M History Department taught me." Anonymous, 2004

PEACE CORPS, teaching English in Kazakhstan
" I completed law school and joined the Peace Corps. I decided to go to law school sort of on a whim. I knew I wanted to go to graduate school and law school seemed like a good option. I do not plan to practice law in the future. It is possible I will take the Foreign Service Exam. I am interested in working for the State Department but plans at this point are largely speculative and not at all concrete. My wife and I plan to complete Peace Corps service and see where that takes us. I'd recommend PC service to almost anybody. For a more thorough description (and pictures!) check out our website: http://www.geocities.com/simmsinkazakhstan/index.html
" Jack Simms III, B.A. 2001, J.D, 2004

HISTORICAL INTERPRETER for the USS Constitution Museum in Boston
“My job entails a little bit of everything - visitor services, interpretation, and research. Research has always been a favorite activity of mine and I knew that I didn't want to teach, so the museum field seemed like a good fit. Many of the classes I took through the Public History program at Loyola University as well as the internships I held during my graduate studies gave me a close-up look at how museums work.
My experience has been that internships and professional networks are critical to finding jobs in history museums. When a museum staff is trying to fill a position, they invariable look within the museum first before they even advertise the job to the outside world. Creating and maintaining relationships with other museum professionals is key if you want the inside track on new job openings.” Rob Doane, 1998

LAW CLERK FOR FEDERAL JUDGE and 2nd year ASSOCIATE AT LARGE LAW FIRM, Chicago.
"I knew going into college that I would be going to law school afterwards. Majoring in history at U of M was great preparation for law school because history classes are basically the same as law school classes - large amounts of reading, and then exams that require the student analyze what she has read in an essay format. Indeed, I think history is the best major for law school prep - far better than English or political science because those classes do not involve the reading and researching that the history classes require. Furthermore, the student's grade in a history class is often based on just one or two papers or exams, just as it is in law school. Though this may not seem like a an important similarity, I found it was because come exam time at Harvard Law, I was far less stressed out than many of my classmates as I was already used to studying for one all-encompassing exam." Anonymous, 2001; JD, 2004


WOMEN'S FASHION DESIGNER for Diane von Furstenberg (sportswear and soft wovens for the collection)
"As an undergraduate, I picked up an internship (merchandising) through the Business School, as neither the History or Political Science departments offered one for independent study. I also was sewing and selling designs at Bivouac while in school. After school I worked in merchandising/production at Abercrombie and Fitch before returning to school to get my design degree from Parsons School of Design. Also worked at THEORY, a New York design company for high-end clothing." She is happy to talk to people interested in this field: email link Anna Shaheen, 2002


SENIOR CLIENT RESEARCH ASSOCIATE, Google, Inc.
The job is a combination of industry analysis, market research and marketing. I support one of Google's sales channels with industry and client specific research and marketing strategies. I analyze industry trends, synthesize pertinent information and distill it down to digestible pieces of compelling collateral.
“I became interested in marketing while working in online marketing, but I wanted to branch out and extend my career out of simply online. I went back to school and obtained an MBA in International Business/Marketing from one of Europe's top ranked MBA programs. Both my MBA and my last position were instrumental in qualifying me for this current position at Google. My last position was for a market research consulting firm. I worked on-site at Pepsi analyzing sales data to measure the effectiveness of Pepsi Sales and Marketing efforts as well as using the available data to create compelling sales stories. The experience in a data focused market research position at a high profile client, Pepsi, combined with the value-add of an MBA made me a desirable candidate for Google.

History is a wonderful liberal arts degree that shapes and enhances many important skill sets such as research, analysis and writing. One piece of advice - a History degree is a qualitative degree. If you are interested in a career in business, you will inevitably be required to prove your quantitative abilities. It can be quite challenging to demonstrate your quantitative abilities and get someone to give you a chance in a job that requires a fair level of quantitative work without a degree. Therefore, I highly recommend a minor or a double major in business, economics etc.” Emma Weisberg, 1999

SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO STUDENTS AND FACULTY, The Clinton School of Public Service, Little Rock, Arkansas
I am doing some fascinating work at the Clinton School. I work with students and faculty to assist in the smoothness of enacting the school's curriculum, special projects and research that require attention, working with various staff on the influx of prolific speakers who come to the Clinton School, etc.It is an immensely rewarding experience to know we are on the cutting edge of producing public servants to aide in the rebuilding of impoverished communities here in the US and abroad; as well as the reinvigoration of modern forms of public service [e.g. corporate social responsibility, government service (notably public health), and so many other things]. I must say that my education at Michigan is constantly serving me well. Especially having received a History degree!!

People can go to clintonschool.uasys.edu to find more information about our activities AND to learn about the program. I would love to see Michigan students applying both for a degree and internships (which run through the Little Rock base of the Clinton Foundation). Christian Knudson, 2005

HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY and ENGLISH TEACHER at INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS sponsored by US and British Embassies worldwide.
"For the past two years, I have worked at a school in Colombia, South America and am moving to a new school in Switzerland. I have found it to be an awesome alternative to teaching in the US. It is an interesting and dynamic opportunity to teach motivated students while exploring the world. I plan to return to graduate school in the next few years to work on a Doctorate in Educational Administration. I hope to eventually assume the leadership of an international school." He is happy to be in contact via email with students who are interested in education, but do not necessarily see themselves working in public schools in the US. email link Jeremy Birk, 2001

MEDICAL RESIDENCY to become a RADIATION ONCOLOGIST
I had been interested in oncology for several years and I feel fortunate to have the career I do.
“Don't be afraid to take the path not frequently chosen. Often you will do better if you do what you find interesting. However, I would say that you should learn life skills and marketable skills. One cannot be reckless and engross oneself in a specific ‘different’ major and assume everything will be fine career wise. One still needs to learn to make business contacts, acquire marketable skills etc regardless of your choice of major. These skills will ultimately make the difference in your ability to succeed in life and not what you majored in.” Anonymous, 2000


Vice President of DIGITAL MEDIA SALES and BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT for FOX News Channel.
In my sales role, I am responsible for overseeing the entire national advertising sales team for FOXNews.com and FOX News Mobile. In my business development role, I spend most of my time working to build the overall FOX News digital business, whether that be through: distributing FOX News content across the Internet on sites like Yahoo, You Tube and iTunes; maximizing revenue outside of traditional national advertising via search and partnerships with companies like Monster.com and Expedia; building new websites such as FOXBusiness.com; and overseeing the expansion of FOX News Mobile.
“I started off my career in media by interning at NBC in the Story Department and with the Tonight Show with Jay Leno during college. This gave me a solid understanding of the inner workings of the Entertainment industry in both development and production. These internships also made me realize that sales would be a better starting point for my career. Even though I had not interned in a sales organization the three years at NBC made me fairly marketable when I graduated. I felt that the Internet was the place to be so I got a job as a sales assistant with News Digital Media (a subsidiary of News Corporation). This was the time right after the Bubble burst so the company was on shaky ground and was quickly closed down. I was totally beside myself but it actually turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. I moved over to FOX News Channel (also part of the News Corporation family) and have been here ever since. I actually had to start in a television sales support role, but about a year and a half and one promotion later, I was given the task of selling FOXNews.com all by myself. I ran around the country as fast as possible drumming up business and three years later I now oversee a team of 25 people.” Jeremy Steinberg, 2000


SENIOR MORTGAGE BANKER, Rock Financial/Quicken Loans
"I didn't really have any other jobs that led me to this position. I did work at the UofM Telefund that exposed me briefly to sales/handling objections and cold calling, but it wasn't much in terms of a preparatory job for what I do now. I love it here. We were voted the 12th best place to work in all 50 states." Russell Rogan, 2002


ATTORNEY in New York with the law firm Holland & Knight LLP.
“After Michigan I actually worked in Sports Marketing for a year before beginning law school and my law career. Many paralegals are recent college grads who work for a year or two to get a feel from the legal world/industry before going to law school.” DB, 2001

Master's program, NYU Wagner's SCHOOL OF PUBLIC SERVICE, specializing in finance.
“Post-graduation, I intend to go into economic development. Before graduate school, I worked for 2 years at Coach, Inc's corporate office in their Visual Merchandising department. While at U-M, I was an active member of The Detroit Project which influenced my decision to go back to a graduate degree in public service/public administration. Networking, internships, volunteering, and relationships with professors are key to finding employment.” PB, 2003

CAMPAIGN MANAGER for Virginia, Coalition for Smarter Growth (non-profit in Washington DC working to solve regions growth and sprawl problem.
“I am planning a career focused on environmental issues. My history degree has given me not only context for issues I work with daily but also the ability to critically think and write. I am happy to talk by email with anyone interested in this field" email link Rebecca Perring, 2002

PhD student in the Department of History at Brown University.
“My family background, former teachers and professors and a few good books were all influential in making me choose this career path. If you want to get a PhD in History, do as much archival research as possible (a skill one begins to develop by writing an honors thesis or history colloquium paper), and ask your undergrad professors to help you with your research and writing skills... get to know them individually. Also, take lots of theory oriented classes.” Mark Robbins, 2003

MUSEUM SPECIALIST, National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.
"With a strong interest in space history all my life, this job was a great fit. After graduating from UofM, I got my M.A. in American Studies (concentrating in Material Culture) from George Washington University. Through my connections with GWU, and an internship at the National Portrait Gallery, I heard about my current position. After three years on the job, I am now in line to become a curator, and will be starting my PhD in history this fall. It's important for anyone wanting a museum career to find out what aspect they are interested in (exhibit design, education, research, curatorial) and find out the best route to such a position, since the education required varies for each field. I have found that getting experience through internships, volunteering, and finding out what you have a passion for are very important in being successful in a museum career. I'm happy to talk to any students interested in a museum career." email link. Jennifer Skomer, 1999


STAFF SPORTS WRITER, WASHINGTON POST
"From the moment I entered Michigan, journalism was my career ambition, and my work at The Michigan Daily as an undergraduate was central to realizing that ambition. Journalism is best taught by doing, not listening. Internships, paid or un-paid, or just hanging around journalists, watching them work their craft are lessons that cannot be taught in a classroom. I got my job when I heard from some people who work at the Post about the vacancy. I also had a friend or two on the inside who were able to talk me up." Alan Goldenbach, 1998


LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT to The Honorable Joe Schwarz, M.D., Member of Congress
"I joined the congressman's campaign and worked until his swearing-in as a congressman, at which point I joined his congressional staff. My responsibilities are keeping him apprised of pending congressional action in the areas of transportation, international relations, trade, taxes, the budget and the judiciary. I am also responsible for his website and I assist his chief of staff/communications director with press duties. While working in the Congress, where decisions can have non-immediate, but much impact, a history background is very useful. I think the most important thing I learned from studying history regards the potentiality of unforeseen consequences." Louis Meizlish, 2004

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, Borders Group. Liaison between store and corporate office.
"After college, I worked as a Production Assistant and Graphic Designer at a non-profit trade association. Then, I moved to my current position at Borders. These positions were closely related to my extracurricular activites at the University, namely my experience working for and managing Michiganensian, the student yearbook." BS, 2001

DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, Handleman Company, Troy, MI
(a 1.3 billion dollar category manager for the mass merchant retail channel)
“I joined the company eight years ago as part of their Management Associate Training Program, which allows recent college grads to rotate through all aspects of the company and then places them in positions that match their interest and business need. I worked on our Regional Customer Team (Meijer) as Promotions Manager then spent two years doing Project Management and Account Management in our online group before moving from the "business" side of Handleman to Organizational Development.” Tracy Nawrocki, 1997


PROJECT MANAGER - CASCADE LAND CONSERVANCY, Seattle, WA. Washington State's largest independent land trust has conserved over 120,000 acres of land - www.cascadeland.org
I work with landowners, regulatory authorities, elected officials, developers to conserve Washington State working lands. I specialize in developing market-based conservation tools that promote vibrant communities and conserved landscapes.
“My history degree sets me apart from most of my colleagues, and that has been to my advantage. The conservation field is dominated by environmental studies and natural science degrees. In contrast, history focuses on research, synthesizing data, and strong writing skills to clearly articulate findings. These skills are applicable in any field, and they have been particularly useful structuring and closing unique conservation transactions.
History is a fantastic undergraduate degree because you're not pigeon-holed into a specific field. Take advantage of that. I worked as an assistant editor at a magazine, a water quality lab assistant, a naturalist, and a glorified tree planter before I found the right fit. Line up several different internships to determine what gets you excited. Once you find that field, take initiative and carve a position for yourself.” Jeremy Eckert, Honors, 2002

DEVELOPMENT PLANNER, managing zoning review for building permits and general development plans in the Planning Department for the Village of Arlington Heights, IL
“I have always been interested in architecture and the built environment. I went directly from my undergraduate in History to Master's in Urban Planning. I highly recommend the Planning field for History majors, because it is multi-disciplinary. For introduction to the field and for gaining permanent employment, internships/volunteering with land use lawyers, municipalities, community development corporations, etc. are very helpful.” Jonathan Mendel, 2000

ESL INSTRUCTOR, Florence, Italy.
“I studied abroad my last term at the university and absolutely fell in love with Italy, and so decided to stay. I'd like to have my own English school in Italy one day. Being a history student gave me the ability to facilitate lively discussions with my more advanced English students. The writing skills you acquire as a history major help in teaching writing. You need at least a TEFL certificate and experience helps. However, it isn't easy getting a visa in Italy.” Anonymous, 2003


RESEARCH ASSISTANT for non-profit: The Institute for Community Peace, Washington, DC.
"This organization organizes and implements research projects pertaining to juvenile violence prevention strategies in low-income communities. I have always been interested in social science research and especially in troubled youth development. My history degree prepared me immensely for the field of research because it taught me how to critically examine a topic from the research stage, to the final report stage. There are a plethora of non-profit and public interest jobs in Washington DC, and while it's best to use connections to tap into these organizations, various search engines like Idealist.org and Craigslist are vital resources for new graduates." Lauren Feldman, 2004


AP U.S. HISTORY TEACHER, Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Livonia, MI.
"I teach AP U.S. History, World History, and International Relations at Michigan's 12th largest public high school. This is my first job out of college. I earned my MAT from Marygrove College in May of 2004. My main reason for going to grad school was the serious raise it meant for me in addition to my annual step.I really like what I do now, I like my work with the kids and I like that they pay me to talk about history for five hours a day." CDB, 2000


WRITER / ASSOCIATE PRODUCER at NBC, San Francisco.
“I got a Masters in Broadcast Journalism (University of Miami). I came to the Bay Area for an unpaid internship and was hired much, much later. When working on stories that have complex historical background (Iraq, Middle East Conflict, even US history), I get to use what I learned as a history student in providing perspective to today's news. Don't take too many U.S. history classes… branch out!” Janette Williams, 2002



EMPLOYMENT LAWYER. Worked for four years between undergraduate and law school as insurance adjuster.
“I highly recommend it (insurance adjuster) for anyone who thinks that they might want to attend law school, but aren’t really sure, or anyone who’s looking to get out and work for a few years prior to returning to school.” She is happy to talk by email to students, particularly minority students, about careers in the legal profession (email link). Reagan Wilkins Oden, 1996

BANKING, Fifth Third Bank (currently Senior Office Manager; started out as New Account Rep)
“I find that in any position that I serve, interpersonal communication and relationship-management are key factors in determining success or failure, and I feel an in-depth study of history prepares you well to understand motivations and effectively map out an action plan. My ability to rapidly learn and achieve proficiency in each position can be attributed to the vast amounts of written material which you have to process and synthesize in the study of history. Also, my ability to write clearly and concisely has been an asset, and this can at least partially be attributed to the training and practice I received at U of M.”
“I would be willing to answer any questions that a student may have regarding possible careers in Retail Banking or related fields, as well as assist them with locating career opportunities within Fifth Third Bank." email link Chris Marco, 2001


MASTER’S PROGRAM in INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS, School of International Service, American University (Washington, DC).
“I am also an unpaid intern at the Office of Foreign Asset Control at the Treasury Department, which may become a job when I graduate this spring. I hope to work for USAID or the State Department, or possibly big banks or maybe get into politics. The History Department at Michigan is excellent. However, if you don't plan to go to grad school, get your degree in something else, like Economics. If you love history, like I do, you can still minor or double major in it. If I had to do it again, I would have focused on doing more with my summers.” Kenny Black, 2003

TRUST REAL ESTATE DIRECTOR, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe.
I am trustee to all property on the Muckleshoot Reservation that is held in trust by the United States government for individual or tribal beneficiaries. I write and approve leases, rights-of-ways, and easements on trust lands, as well as protect lands from trespass or waste.
“ I know it doesn't sound too sexy, but I really love the work because I have the opportunity to right a lot of past wrongs and serve a historically underrepresented group of people; people who had been largely ignored by the federal agencies who were supposed to be helping them. During law school I built a network of friends, colleagues, and former employers, who have proved very helpful in my job searches. This job, however, I found on the internet.” Sarah Lawson, 1999, JD 2004

PHYSICIAN, EMERGENCY MEDICINE (beginning residency)
"I think my history degree has made me a significantly more well rounded person and physician. I think that my understanding of the world around me is daily influenced by the time and courses I took while in Ann Arbor. I believe the critical analysis skills I honed during my History degree have been especially valuable in my work in Medicine. For someone considering Medicine as a career, I would say there is much to be gained by exploring a liberal arts education. The science of Medicine is taught in medical school, but the humanism necessary to care and treat effectively must be cultivated throughout ones life by seeking out things like history, literature, and art." He is happy to talk via email to anyone considering medicine after a History degree (email link) John Burkhardt, 2001

PROJECT MANAGER, Electrical Contracting
"I coordinate overall management of various Electrical Construction projects. This oversight includes financial management, material acquisition, scheduling and manpower coordination. Current projects include mult-million dollar installations at water treatment facilities in the City of Detroit. I do utilize the communication and reasoning skills that were needed in understanding and analyzing history. Everything has a history - even a construction project - and understanding why things do or do not happen can be critical to the success of a project." Anonymous, 1999


RELAY OPERATOR, Michigan Relay Center
“I am the person who types and voices phone calls for Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, or Speech Impaired people. The skills I learned in getting this degree helps. When working with the Hearing Impaired (HI) in Relay, it's a bit like History research. The job deals mainly with getting everyone to understand each other. HI people and Hearing people often have problems with communication. There is a big difference between sign language and spoken English that a lot of hearing people don't understand.” JR, 1997


CONSULTANT, The Boston Consulting Group.
I help large corporation increase their profitability and solve problems.
“I have worked in consulting since graduation. My first two employers were BearingPoint and Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean VA. My clients were various agencies in the Federal Government. After receiving my MBA April 2006, I began my new job at BCG.
Management consulting firms recruit at top universities. Each firm usually holds presentations where students can speak with employees to learn more about the work. Alumni networking is helpful to better understand what the work is actually like, although the case interviews are the single most important factor in hiring decisions.” JB, 1999

THERAPIST at a theraputic boarding school for emotionally disturbed adolescents (Individual, group, and family therapy along with case management).
"I became interested in this field after doing Americorps and working with inner-city children. I thought I wanted to go into education but realized I was more interested in the issues that were going on in their lives. After Americorps I worked at a residential treatment facility for emotionally disturbed adolescent girls. This job solidified my desire to go into social work. I then got my Masters in Social Work and I now am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Massachusetts. I will be moving to a more community-based practice soon." Abby Lamstein 2000

SENIOR BUSINESS ANALYST, DaimlerChrysler, assessing business needs against software requirements for department and work with end users on the internet site. She has worked in IT arena since graduation.
"A lot of times a liberal arts degree does not literally translate to a vocation unless you go into teaching or research but the applications are endless. With a history degree, you have the ability to sift through extensive information and assess what is truly important. This big picture allows you to work at a detailed level but still keep in mind the real objective which is really important in any job." SI, 1997

American History TEACHER in a small high school in Brooklyn, New York.
“I pursued certification at the School of Education while getting my degree in History. I worked with high school students all through college, so the decision to teach was an easy one to make. I am pursuing my Master's in History and hope to be a professor at a university within the next 15 years. I found my job at a job fair, but I've found networking to be useful for many of my colleagues. Classes taken at the School of Education were all theory-based, so I have not used much from those classes, but I draw from my background in history from Michigan every day I teach!” JW, 2004

ARTS ADMINISTRATION (THEATER MANAGEMENT)
"I chose to study history in school because I was interested in working in museums. This eventually evolved into wanting to do arts administration. I discovered a year-long apprencticeship at the Purple Rose Theatre by doing a search of local theatre companies. While there, I was involved in all aspects of running a professional theatre company. I'll be starting at Wayne State University this fall as part of the Hillberry Rep. Co as I work towards my MFA in Theatre Management.I want to use this to gain work as a business manager, marketing director, publicist, or fundraiser for either a theatre or another arts organization." JB, 2003

IMAGERY ANALYST with the NATIONAL GEO-SPATIAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, Washington, D.C.
"NGA provides information and support to various other Intelligence Agencies, the Armed Forces, as well as Congress and the White House. The critical thinking and analysis I did while at the University of Michigan has been a great asset in my current job." Anonymous, 2003

BUSINESS AFFAIRS EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT at a major performing arts organization, New York City.
“It is very hard to break in to the performing arts world in NYC. I volunteered in an administrative position at a small orchestra to get my foot in the door. I am working on my own business on the side which I hope to turn in to a full time operation. I loved being a history major, but upon graduation I had to be very creative and figure out what I wanted to do since the degree is not specific to any particular trade. My goals changed many times and I am finally in the right field. The degree is what you make of it.” Anonymous, 1996

TEACHER 6th grade Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts.
“After earning my BA in history I entered the Elmac program at U of M (an intense 1 year Masters program in elementary education.) Finding employment as a teacher in Michigan is very difficult right now. Make as many connections with people as you can - student teaching, volunteering, tutoring, coaching, substitute teaching, networking with family and/or alumni. Attending job fairs is a good idea, especially if you are looking to move out of state, but I am skeptical that it would help you get into a Michigan school district. It would be good practice though...” Anonymous, 2003, MA Elementary Education 2004

DIGITAL IMAGING COORDINATOR at a university archive, managing a large scale reorganization and digitization of a collection of 500,000 images in their original film formats.
"I had a bit of a struggle my first years out of college trying to find a job with my History B.A. After working as an Administrative Assistant at a photo lab, I decided to take night classes in digital imaging and graphic design. Over the following five years, I found work in photo labs specializing in archival prints and eventually in photo archives. My current position is a amalgamation of all the different career experiences I've gained since graduation." Anonymous, 1998


URBAN PLANNING (masters candidate at the University of Michigan)
"The writing and thinking skills I acquired during my undergraduate history studies have been helpful in graduate school and certainly will likely be once I enter the professional realm. Moreover, I can actually trace my current career direction to Matt Lassiter's History of American Suburbia course-- I hadn't even known that urban planning was a profession previously! I couldn't find anything in the way of full-time work with my BA, especially in this economy. I worked as a groundskeeper and research assistant at UM for a year before heading back to school. It paid the bills, but I had no health insurance or other benefits." Brandon Zwagerman, 2003


US ARMY, Korea (Tank Platoon Leader, Support Platoon Leader responsible for 96 soldiers and 42 trucks providing food, fuel, ammunition and cargo support for 1200 soldier task force; pursuing Masters of Military Studies in Joint Warfare.)
“Historical education is relevant to our everyday conceptual picture as we ourselves are actors making what will become history. We must recognize what actions will help to build the future we aspire to while reflecting honorably in the historical record.”
Nathaniel B. Davis, First Lieutenant, Armor, 2002


MASTER OF ARTS WITH CERTIFICATION PROGRAM, U of M School of Education, led to teaching position with Ferndale, Michigan Public Schools.
"For those who know that teaching and education are their passion, and don't mind 'academic rigor' in their life for a year, this is an opportunity of a lifetime. Otherwise....watch out! The program has been one of the most challenging yet satisfying of my life. I am indebted to the MAC because it gave me exactly what I wanted: the tools to be an effective teacher, and the experience to learn how to use those tools. However I can say that the MAC may not be for everyone. The work load is daunting, the obligations are numerous, and the expectations are very high. If a person is not sure they want to teach, this is not the place to try and find out. We earn 40 graduate level credits, while being in a high school placement for the entire school year, and also producing a Master's thesis (in the form of a portfolio) all in one year. But the best part is we did more than survive. All 24 cohort members finished the program by helping one another and bonding as classmates, then friends, and finally as colleagues. We have formed bonds that will last a lifetime through sharing our common burdens and dreams." Marino Jesse Ynclan 2002


TEACHER, Holland, Michigan.
I spent the past 8 years teaching U.S. History to 8th grade students. I am currently teaching AP Government and Economics at Holland High School.
“I began teaching after one semester of substitute teaching after college. Influential in landing my job was my knowledge of History gained from the U of M as well as creative approaches to teaching students. I get out old notes and books often to make sure I am giving as accurate a portrayal of history as possible. Background knowledge is invaluable and any Middle Eastern classes or world religions would be helpful. In my AP class we are always talking current events. I found the History of American Wars class to be very relevant in giving history a sense of logical progression.” Dan Telgenhof, 1997

RESEARCH ADMINISTRATOR for the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Michigan Health System.
"I am responsible for developing budgets for the preparation of clinical trial proposals and amendments; negotiating payment terms with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. I also assist the Grants Manager in submitting federal and foundation grants and process conference grants. When I graduated I decided I wanted to stay working for the University. I love Ann Arbor, and love the academia culture. My first job was with the College of Architecture and Urban Planning, working as an administrative assistant for the Dean. I had a chance to work with the Grants Manager there on a project and that's how I became interested in research administration." Grace Wu, 2002


EMBASSY OF REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS, Asst. to Press Counselor
"I monitor US press and transmit information back to Cyprus regarding the press and the US government, particularly the US State Department. I was in DC last year interning at the embassy and was a press intern for US Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). I plan to go to graduate school in the next year to study international affairs or public policy." DTM, 2002


DISTRICT MANAGER for American Suzuki Motor Corp.
“I am responsible for the manufacturer to dealer relationship for the state of Ohio. I manage relationships with 23 automotive dealerships and consult with them to improve sales and customer service performance. I had three jobs previous to my current role. I sold new vehicles for 1.5 years and worked with two automotive contented "dot coms" for 4 years. I received my MBA, 2004. I did not have a business degree and felt I needed one to move forward in the business world.” Steve Nicholson, 1999

SITE MANAGER, The New Teacher Project, a national non-profit that partners with educational entities to increase the number of outstanding individuals who become public school teachers and create environments for all educators that maximize their impact on student achievement.
"After college, I joined Teach for America and taught in a Baltimore City public school. The experience was completely transformative and helped me decided that I wanted to focus my energy on improving urban school systems so that they better serve our students. I lead a project with the Baltimore City Public School System to help staff 20 of their lowest performing schools with high quality teachers. This work involves both process design (and redesign) and school-level capactiy building that includes principal training.The Project recruits from national and private consulting firms and business schools." EC, 1999

MEDICAL SCHOOL, 4th year (Pediatrics)
"I decided to become a doctor after having graduated with a history degree and started working in public relations . I realized that I wanted to do something more rewarding and intellectually challenging. I had volunteered at a hospital prior to making the final decision and then did a post-baccalaureate pre-medical program for a year to get the proper pre-requisites. I think medical schools really like "non-traditional" students and that they are more well-rounded in their education." LD, 2000

INTERN WITH FORBES MAGAZINE and MASTERS CANDIDATE IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
"I spent months interviewing and applying to various jobs just to get this internship. Knowing people (NOT networking, but having your parents' friends help you out is the best way to get a good starting job), otherwise using University career center, and using idealist.org and craigslist have been the most effective ways I know of seeking employment." KB 2003


RETAIL STORE MANAGER, Donna Karan Store, Boston. Masters candidate, Interior Design.
"I started at Michigan in the Architecture program, but switched my junior year in order to benefit from all LS&A had to offer. I studied history, learned Italian, and studied abroad for a year, all of which were absolutely priceless. I constantly use the language skills I learned at Michigan because of my interest in Renaissance and Germanic history. A lot of my clients are European and knowing their language is priceless when working with them. Studying history has greatly affected my personal style as I am constantly using my research skills and pulling ideas from my favorite eras. I hope to define a unique style in my interior design career by melding the styles of the past with modern living." CBS, 2002

ATTORNEY "TAX SENIOR", Deloitte's International Tax Services group in the national office in Washington, DC
"I got interested in tax law after taking courses in the subject at the JD level. After getting my law degree from Tulane, I enrolled in NYU's graduate tax program and then joined Deloitte upon graduation from NYU." Jeremy D. Sina, 2001

MASTER’S of PUBLIC HEALTH at the University of Michigan.
“I worked in Mongolia after graduation on an archaeology expedition. After a couple years living there I decided to do more to help the people in that country and decided to pursue healthcare. I became a nurse and worked in an Oncology center from 2003-2005 and am now back at school. I am looking to work with NGO's, or organizations like the Asian Development Bank, to develop better health policy programs in rural Mongolia upon graduation. Think interdisciplinary, use your time here at U of M to broaden your view of the world as much as possible. This will help to increase flexibility and allow you to adapt to changing personal needs and goals.” Sean Armstrong, B.A.1998, BSN, 2003, MPH, 2007

ATTORNEY, Corporate Law
”I would say that my interest in business transactions led me to this field. My primary work-related activities involve negotiations and drafting. As a history major, I critically examined primary sources and wrote papers and exam answers that analyzed these texts. My practice is quite similar. I should mention that taking several economics courses greatly assist in the process of becoming a corporate attorney. Majoring in history will not automatically create job opportunities, but it is an excellent way to develop critical skills.” Anonymous, 1999

REMOTE ACCESS IT ANALYST for a publishing company.
"I maintain/order/train people, etc for laptops, Blackberries, other PDAs and home systems. I got into this field after doing IT work in the Navy Reserve. Because I had an analytical degree, the Navy put me in Intelligence and Communications. I worked at this company in the book end of the business thanks to my degree. Entry level can be through internships we have here or through listings (on trade websites or job-finder websites.) Higher level is usually through the same means or word of mouth. Internships are a great way to get in the door and I originally heard about the Navy at a job fair. Having the Michigan name on my resume was a huge help in getting in for interviews." MS, 1995.


ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY at Windels, Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP in New York, New York.
I practice in the field of general commercial litigation. I frequently write briefs, letters, legal arguments and appear in court.
“I believe that the skills I developed as a history student were invaluable to becoming a successful attorney. In law school I was called upon to read large volumes of material and to distill the information into useful points of law. My experience from reading historical information from various sources was extremely helpful.” Jennifer Wisnia, 2002


RESEARCH ASSISTANT at The Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) at the University of Michigan
ICPSR maintains and provides access to a vast archive of social science data for research and instruction. "I use the skills relating to information processing and synthesis as well as critical thinking techniques that history majors use to sort through historical sources and information." WM, 2003


LIBRARY HOLDINGS CONSULTANT for a vendor/publisher.
"I work with the sales group. I analyze library microform collections to determine if portions are missing aiding librarians with collection development decision. After graduating from UofM, I tried working for an attorney which did not work out. My interest in history continued so I decided to get a Master in Library and Information Science to become an Archivist. I discovered while in library school that archives were not where I wanted to work so I concentrated in reference services. After applying to every type of library I ended up at a vendor/publisher." Anonymous, 2000


ATTORNEY
"I practice in many areas of law, ranging from probate and municipal work to commercial litigation and criminal defense. I went straight from undergrad into law school and found that the analytical and writing skills I honed through History courses were invaluable in making the leap. The knowledge base I gained in a content-based sense is also valuable in a more indirect way. I've found that many of my colleagues have history degrees or backgrounds and I believe that this common bond proves valuable in building professional relationships via informal debate and discussion and the like. If my music career doesn't pan out, I suppose I'll keep practicing law." Kevin Watts, 1999


LAW STUDENT at Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
"I am in the Civitas ChildLaw fellowship program which means I will specialize in Children's legal issues. A history degree clearly is a benefit at law school - allows you a deeper understanding of much of context of what you are learning, especially after the first year of law school. " CH, 2003


BRANCH MANAGER for Countrywide Home Loans.
I manage an office of Manager currently 25 employees. We originate, sell, and process the mortgage loans.
“I became interested in moving up in the industry after I took my first position as a loan originator right after graduation. I contribute my success in the industry to my ability to read large quantities of information AND process that information quickly, a trait I mastered while studying history at U of M. When actually reviewing loans with prospective borrowers, I was able to use reason to have them see things my way. I was referred to this field by my brother-in-law. However, almost every job fair has stands where they recruit originators.” Anonymous, 1999


AUDIT ASSOCIATE, Ernst and Young; LOGISTICS, DaimlerChrysler
“I do feel that I use my history background and skills in my current position. Unlike my peers my depth and breath of knowledge is greater than those around me. In studying history one has to not only study the time period they choose to emphasize, but also its relationship and impact on history to follow. My history degree allows me to see things for their impact today and also in the future.”
MWO, BA History 1998; MBA Finance ISM 2001; MSA Accounting 2004



ATTORNEY, Chicago at Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLC.
My title is associate, and I am a junior attorney in the corporate department, assisting with mergers and acquisitions and various securities transactions. I worked as a paralegal in Chicago and decided that I would try law. I enjoyed studying history in high school and college but was not sure as to my future job prospects and whether I would want to or could endure obtaining a Phd. Hence, I applied to law school and went to Michigan again to study law." David Kim, 1999

TRADE SUPPORT at a BOND ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY.
I monitor bond portfolios and ensure there is sufficient cash in each portfolio, instruct portfolio managers of insufficient cash and advise to sell short-term investments to raise their cash level. I also provide trade instructions for short-term investments in accounts with excess cash and make sure each portfolio is under client guidelines.

“There are many internships at asset management firms available for juniors and seniors. The best way to find a career in finance would be to have finance-related or quantitative-focused internships. Company name is not so much important as is the experience you gain at the company. Networking is also the best tool to finding a job so an internship should be seen as a two-part job: learn the industry and socialize.”
Regardless of what career you decide on, make sure you are well-rounded. Take elective classes that will address any weakness you may have and do well in those classes. But above all else, I've learned that business is 50% knowledge, 50% who you know. Be involved in activities and also network--you never know what doors those relationships can open. Anyone can learn about an industry and crunch numbers but it's the people who will decide if they'll give you that opportunity. K Park, 2001

LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION lawyer. I am an associate working at a law firm in New York.
“Certainly the writing skills I acquired from undergrad are the most important. In the labor and employment practice, having focused on civil rights during my undergraduate career, I have understood the context of a lot of legislation and how it affects people everyday. I would eventually like to become a government attorney with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Enjoy undergrad! Take as many classes as possible! Keep in touch with professors with whom you are close; they will be important for graduate school recommendations and mentoring.” Joanne Alnajjar, 2001, JD 2006

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE at Fleishman-Hillard, a public relations firm.
I do media relations locally in Austin for AT&T and my other client is Motion Computing, an Austin firm that makes tablet PCs.
“When I graduated, I decided to pursue a career in publishing and moved to New York City. I had not interned in that field so it was completely new to me. I decided that a good place to start would be as an editorial assistant. A friend had just started work as a publicity assistant at Crown, a division of Random House and convinced me that with my outgoing personality, public relations might be a good fit. It was. I went on to do public relations at The New Yorker magazine and then communications and marketing at The University of Texas School of Law before moving into my current position.
Internships are a great way to find employment in this field. In my firm, we have many interns who actually major in public relations. I'm personally glad that I majored in history because reading and writing and other communications are so important in this field and I was able to practice those skills as a history major. Networking is always a great way to figure out what you may want to do and/or find a job.” JB, 2000

TEACHER, private school in Chicago
"I teach 7th and 8th grade literature, language arts, technology, and "8th grade term paper". I didn't plan on doing what I do today, but my path just sort of led me there. After graduating from Michigan, I got an MA in humanities from the University of Chicago. After that, I was an adjunct writing instructor at Columbia College in Chicago and also had an internship at the school at which I currently teach. The internship (as well as my adjunct position and various other extra-curricular activities) was key because I didn't have a teaching certificate. Private schools will hire uncertified teachers, but a good school will not hire people without experience and qualifications.
I think that by learning about history, we learn to care more about the world, analyze it more, and just be more involved in what's going on around us. And that's invaluable not only for us personally, but also for humanity." Alyssa Brody Seidler, History Honors and English B.A. 2000.

COURT COUNSEL to the Republic of Palau Supreme Court.
I went straight to William & Mary Law School and got my JD in 2004. After law school, I became a law clerk for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, then started this position. I took many classes in law school where I was able to draw on knowledge learned as a history student. As a lawyer, my primary duty is to write and I use a lot of the writing skills I honed as a history honors student. Tim Schimpf, 2001

ATTORNEY for Commissioner of the Administration for Children's Services, Manhattan Family Court, NYC, litigating child/abuse and neglect cases.
"I have always been interested in the law and working with children. Prior to law school, I worked as a young adult librarian for the New York Public Library in Harlem. I received my Master's in Information Science in 2000. (Students considering law) can intern with the City of New York in its law department to gain experience and to see if this is an interesting field to you." KW, AB, 1998, MIS, 2000, JD, 2004

WEB MARKETING MANAGER, financial industry magazine
"I certainly draw on writing skills that I learned through my history degree-- communication is very important when it comes to working really anywhere-- especially in marketing. History also helps you gain an all encompassing perspective on the past and in my field, it has been important to keep different perspectives in mind. You can think of things in a more creative manner. I started in a regular entry level job and had an interest in the internet and the businesses surrounding it and I ended up here. People usually find jobs like this through online job sites, mediabistro.com, hotjobs or through colleagues." Anonymous, 1998

SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER, Bronx, N.Y.
"I teach 9th and 10th grade history courses and I am very involved in the building of a new school. Being part of a team of smart and talented people to build a school has been a dream come true for me. I attained master's degree in teaching social studies at Boston University, after I graduated, and I have been teaching since. My experiences at Michigan--coursework, work with the Arts of Citizenship program, and guidance from professors, was very influential in my career path. There are various ways to find employment in teaching. Uncertified teachers often find alternative programs like Teach for America or the NYC Teaching Fellows. For certified teachers, larger cities like New York City have job fairs." Joel Snyder, 2002

COLUMNIST, The Philippine Star, a daily newspaper in the Philippines
“I write about anything related to fashion and beauty. My articles come out on Fridays. After graduation I worked in the beauty industry in New York but moved to Manila after I got married and was offered to write for the paper. Networking resources are useful in getting this kind of job. One can also compile clips of writing to send out to papers/magazines. Working on the school paper is a great step. The ability to write well, gather thoughts, interview and conduct research are essential to getting the job done. I definitely draw on my skills developed at UMich.” Jaclyn Cohen-Antonio, 1998

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEON
“I majored in history because I desired to have a well-rounded undergraduate education. You can go into any field with a degree in history.” BA-History (1997); DDS 2001

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