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Copyright 2001
College of Literature, Science and the Arts

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 branch out into a wide world of careers. Read in their own words about the variety of career paths that recent History Department graduates have followed, some in jobs directly related to the study of history, others not. Almost all credit the skills they developed as history students for at least some of their success in their fields.

                    Stories from History Department alumni:

                    Alumni Career Biographies
                    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.


A history degree will help you develop skills, perspective, and background that are crucial to success in a wide range of careers. You also need to use your undergraduate years to build a tool box of resources that will help you find a rewarding career where you can use those skills.

                  • professional quality resume, cover letter and good interviewing skills

                  • 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 MploymentLink, addresses of potential employers and professional organizations, job fair
                    schedules, on-line search engines, alumni and family networks, etc.

A good place to start is the University of Michigan Career Center. Don't wait until senior year to plan for life after graduation. When you get to your senior year and after graduation, 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 after graduation. Here are two services you can use from home:

CAREER CENTER CONNECTOR connects you with employers seeking to hire U of M students for internships and permanent positions. 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 job and/or internship search and should be used in combination with additional resources and strategies. Learn more and register on-line.

Career Counseling and Advising: one-to-one sessions where advisors meet you “where you are” in your process by offering feedback, strategies, advice and a “neutral ear” through drop-in and pre-scheduled appointments. They will help you in your career development process whether you are “clueless” or very focused; looking for a concentration, internship, job, graduate program or professional school, or simply just exploring. Choose from Drop-in Advising, Career Counseling or Videotaped Mock Interviews to fit your individual schedule and career needs.

Career Counseling provides a half hour or one hour appointment with a counselor to discuss your individual career needs. Explore career options, discuss decisions, receive career assessment test results, build job search strategies, prepare for interviews, or prepare for continuing education in a one-to-one session. Call (734-764-7460) to schedule an appointment.

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 ranging from information about their occupation and how to enter the job market to relocating to a specific city.


The following web pages feature articles about what you can do with a history degree, whether you are considering entering the job market directly after graduation or going on to graduate or professional school.

Phi Alpha Theta: Career Possibilities for History Majors

The American Historical Association
         "What Can You Do With a Career in History?"
          Data on the job market for History PhDs

What Can I Do With A Major In...History?
          University of Texas at Austin
          Job titles and descriptions for which graduates with a B.A. in history might be hired.

Occupational Outlook Handbook - U.S. Department of Labor
          The Handbook describes what workers do on the job, education needed, working conditions, earnings and
          expected job prospects for a large number of occupations.

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

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 taht 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

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

craigslist.org

since 2/17/04