Majors at the University of Connecticut

History

History is the study of past civilizations and problems, with the purpose of promoting insight and understanding into the problems of today, preserving our cultural heritage, and enriching our appreciation of people and their existence. The study of History is not, however, designed simply to teach facts about the past or to explain how our present world has emerged from its origins in other times and places. Rather, the study of History involves making sense of complex situations in which the relationship between origins and results, and intentions and consequences, is often not immediately apparent. The study of History broadens our perspectives and allows for the discovery of the essential elements of human existence. As such, the study of History requires an openness to research, an awareness of the complexity of events, and desire to seek out answers.

A degree in History provides the recipient with a solid liberal arts education which provides the holder with skills that are useful in all areas of life. The student majoring in History learns to write effectively and expressively, to think critically, to weigh values, and to communicate ideas. A degree in History provides the graduate with a strong foundation in the skills necessary for a career related to History, however, it also provides the graduate with a foundation in skills desirable to other types of employment opportunities such as those with government agencies and large corporations. Additionally, History is an excellent pre-professional major in which students develop skills that are applicable to further study in law, medical, dental, theological, journalism, and business schools.

Academic Department

• UConn's Department of History

Nature of Work

History majors have a wide variety of fields which they are qualified for and can choose from, therefore, the nature of the work will vary accordingly. Some of the occupations most entrenched in the study of past civilizations, providing a direct insight into History are: archivists, curators, museum technicians, and conservators. Individuals with these job titles search for, acquire, appraise, analyze, describe, arrange, catalogue, restore, preserve, and maintain items of lasting value that can be used by researchers or for exhibitions, publications, broadcasting, and other educational programs. Depending on the occupation, these items may consist of historical documents, audiovisual materials, institutional records, works of art, stamps, coins, maps, clothing, computer records, buildings, living and preserved plants and animals, and minerals.

Archivists and curators plan and oversee the arrangement, cataloguing, and exhibition of collections and, along with conservators and technicians, maintain collections. They may also coordinate educational and public outreach programs, such as tours, workshops, lectures, and classes, and may work with the boards of institutions to administer plans and policies. They also have the opportunity to research items which are of importance to their individual collections. One of the primary differences between archivists and curators is that curators usually handle objects found in cultural, biological, or historical collections, such as sculptures, textiles, and paintings, while archivists mainly handle valuable records, documents, or objects that are retained because they originally accompanied and relate specifically to the document.

Conservators manage, care for, preserve, treat, and document works of art, artifacts, and specimens. This may require substantial historical, scientific, and archaeological research. They use X-rays, chemical testing, microscopes, special lights, and other laboratory equipment and techniques to examine objects and determine their condition, need for treatment, and appropriate method of preservation. They then document their findings and utilize proper treatment methods to restore items to their original state. Museum technicians assist conservators in the process by preparing items and performing necessary maintenance tasks. Museum technicians may also assist curators in areas of research. (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Statistics, 2000-2001).

Sample Job Titles

Potential Employers

Due to the wide scope of occupations available for individuals with a History background, there are a variety of industries for potential employment. Some of the institutions which hire a large number of History majors are art galleries, museums, and arboretums. Corporate businesses and government agencies also seek out History majors for certain areas of employment. The strong liberal arts background is what gives these students such attractive qualities for many different industries.

Useful Skills

What Skills Does a History Major Possess/Develop?

Through the study of past artifacts, events, and cultures the History major develops a diverse set of skills useable in a wide variety of occupations. These skills include: analyzing, interpreting and evaluating data, developing new ideas, instructing, explaining and answering questions, extensive reading and writing, advising and interviewing, gathering information and conducting research and analyzing numerical data.

Getting Experience

A degree in History provides the graduate with a diverse set of skills applicable to a wide range of occupations. To increase the marketability of the degree, and as such, the skill set the student has developed or is in process of developing, it is imperative that the student begins exploring a career focus early in his/her degree program. Since a degree in History does not directly translate into a career area or occupation, the student majoring in History needs to choose a career field in addition to having chosen a major. The early exploration of career options allows the student the opportunity to participate in experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, externships, and job shadowing, that allow the student to "try out" career areas prior to graduation. Early exploration also allows students to acquire practical experience in their chosen career area. Today's employers are seeking graduates with practical experience in their career fields. Cooperative education work experiences and intensive internships provide students the opportunity to acquire such practical experience.

In addition to experiential learning opportunities and practical work experience, early exploration of career areas by the student majoring in History allows the individual to develop specific skills necessary for the field they are planning to enter. Computer skills, for example, are essential in the world of work today. The astute History major will be certain to have well developed computer skills to compliment the diverse skills developed through the study of History. Additionally, if a student is interested in pursuing a career in business, then taking business related courses to round out his/her education would be desirable.

The primary key to increasing the marketability of a History degree is to plan for your career well in advance of graduation. Knowing what career area you are wanting to pursue and focusing your attention on acquiring the skills and experience needed for that career will increase the marketability of your degree in History.

Employment Opportunities

There is a wide range of opportunity for employment for history majors. Such areas include archives, libraries, historical societies, museums, historic sites/parks, research organizations, federal, state and local governments. Some historians can be self-employed and others can also work for large corporations and religious, professional and other nonprofit organizations.

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