Careers

"When people ask, 'What are you going to do with a HISTORY degree?', I like to smile and say, 'What aren't I going to?' I say this not just because I'm a smart-aleck, but also because I think it's true. There isn't too much out there that I can't do. "
                                                       -U of M History Graduate, Class of 2001


"I have been living in London the last two years working for a music management company over there. We have a couple of really big artists so it has been a pretty incredible experience to say the very least. On a practical level, I was an intern at this company (after I graduated) and got my shot to do some ridiculously big things almost solely because of my writing skills which are attributable extensively to my History courses.

I feel strongly that the courses I took prepared me for an often tough world where performance matters and is measured every day.I think it is great for current history students to realize that the skill sets and work ethic that one who is successful in our [History] program develops opens doors to whatever career or professional field they desire."
                                                       -J.H., December 2001 graduate

Like J.H., most history students do not become professional historians, but use their talents in a wide range of careers. From the following links, you can read, in their own words, about the career paths that recent History Department graduates have followed, some in jobs directly related to the study of history, others not. Almost all of them credit the skills they developed as history students for at least some of their success in their fields.

                    Stories from History Department alumni:

                    Alumni Stories
                    Link to short interviews with five history graduates about how they developed their careers.

                    Snapshot Bios of History Graduates
                    Follow the career paths and read advice from over seventy department alumni.

                  • strong letters of recommendation

                  • knowledge of yourself, your long-term goals, work style, geographic preferences, interests and talents

                  • personal history of real-world experiences, internships, jobs, volunteer work, courses outside your major
                    that expand your skills and make you stand out from the crowd

                  • a job search plan and strategies to use resources and networks to find the first job: on-line job recruitment
                    sites such as Career Connector, addresses of potential employers and professional organizations, job fair
                    schedules, on-line search engines, network of alumni, family, and friends.

A good place to start is the University of Michigan Career Center. Don't wait until senior year to plan for life after graduation. Your choice of extra-curricular and summer activities and courses you elect outside your major can all lead you to a career path. When you are a senior and a graduate, the Alumni Associate Career Services can help you connect with employers and job mentors.


University of Michigan Career Center
Take advantage of the Career Center resources during your undergraduate years and maintain a reference letter file to call on after graduation.

CAREER CENTER CONNECTOR lets you connect with employers seeking to hire U of M students for internships and permanent positions. This service includes job and internship listings, online resume collections, employer information, and on-campus interviewing opportunities. The Career Center Connector is one resource to assist in your search and should be used in combination with additional resources and strategies. Learn more and register on-line.

Career Advising: individual counseling sessions where advisors meet you ‘where you are’ in your process by offering strategies, feedback, and advice, whether you are exploring careers or looking for an internship, job, graduate program, or professional school. Call 734-764-7460 to schedule an appointment, usually available on the same day.

Optimal Resume/Interviews/Letters are time-saving on-line tools available to you anytime. Templates and tips for creating resumes, effective cover letters, and interactive video ‘interviews’ that allow you to watch yourself in action. Register and use the service on-line.

Reference Letter Service: Ask faculty and employers to write recommendation letters while you are still a fresh face and store them at the Career Center. At your request, copies of your file will be mailed to graduate and professional school admissions offices, potential employers, and scholarship and fellowship granting organizations. .Set up your file on-line.

Career Center NEWSLETTER for HISTORY MAJORS - Events and announcements with History students in mind.

Career Guides from the Career Center : Leaflets about career possibilities for many concentrations.


UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION CAREER SERVICES
CareerPort
Create your CareerPort profile and take advantage of these services:
          • Your own profile/resume page, where you can develop your career profile, post your resume and
            be matched with potential employers.
          • The ability to search the Alumni Job Board.
          • Automatic matching and email notification of new job postings that match your profile.
          • Exclusive articles and step-by-step guides that help you manage your job search and career.


Alumni NetWorks is a career service that offers graduates and current students the opportunity to gain information and networking contacts from one of U-M's most valuable resources, its alumni. Through this program, participants are able to contact alumni mentors who have volunteered to provide career coaching on topics such asinformation about their occupation, entering the job market, and relocating to a specific city.

Career-related websites and search engines recommended by the Career Center, Alumni Association, and department alumni

Career Center Connector - job and internship recruitment site for University of Michigan students

U of M Alumni Career Services

www.indeed.com job search engine recommended by the Career Center

idealist.org connects with non-profit and community organizations in 165 countries

History Associates Incorporated, careers in history research, archives, record management in Washington D.C.

The New York Times Job Market features "Industries in Depth and job search resources

CollegeGrad.com is an internet job search service that targets college students and recent graduates

Studentjobs.gov provides information about federal government jobs opportunities

www.campuscareercenter.com covers industries from small non-profits to big business

socialservice.com a place to look for jobs in a variety of human service areas

Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) - grassroots nonprofit organization that engages and supports future nonprofit leaders through professional development, networking, and social opportunities.

craigslist.org

since 2/17/04