Historians must be accomplished critical thinkers with a broad background in writing, research and communication skills regardless of their particular specialization or area of expertise. Satisfaction is generally high in this career, despite fierce competition and generally long hours.

In the course of their work, historians typically engage in the following:

• Gather, interpret and analyze historical data from a variety of sources to determine authenticity and significance.
• Preserve documents, artifacts and materials in historical sites, museums and universities.
• Monitor historical developments in specific fields and provide reports addressing relevant issues
• Write books, articles and report on new theories

Day In the Life

Historians work in numerous industries, typically conducting research and providing analysis for companies large and small, nonprofit organizations, government entities, colleges and universities and historical associations. A host of source materials are utilized, such as photos, letters, personal diaries, newspapers, institutional records, films and various primary documents. These are very often catalogued and archived as part of the job. Findings are oftentimes presented in exhibits, on websites, or through books and articles.

In a university setting, historians will teach and conduct research. In historical associations and museums, historians preserved relics and artifacts and provide easily understandable explanations on the significance of the subjects at hand. In government, historians explore policy issues through the prism of historical context.  conduct research to provide historical context for current policy issues, such as writing about a particular military operation from the past or a political power from a previous era. Corporations employ historians to examine regulations, legal matters or cultural shifts in the workplace.

The majority of historians work full time and do so during normal business hours. A small number are able to work as consultants or independently and are thus able to maintain more control over their schedules. For those who are employed at museums, evenings and weekends are typical requirements. Travel is also quite common for historians regardless of job specifics, as conducting interviews, collecting artifacts and immersing oneself in local culture is essential for much of the work historians must do.

JOB GROWTH

Degree programs in history are extremely popular, however job growth for historians is expected to increase at a slightly slower rate in the next ten years than the average for all other occupations. As a result, historians will likely continue to face strong competition for jobs, especially in academia. However, historians have traditionally been able to move their skill sets to or within a variety of other occupations, such as journalists, lawyers, teachers (all levels of education) and writers.

TYPICAL EMPLOYERS

The most coveted jobs are usually tenure-track university positions, where job security and quality of life is rated exceptionally high, and within the federal government, where compensation approaches the higher end of the spectrum as compared to the median across the industry.