| 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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