History
What can I do with a major in History
History examines the past in order to provide an explanation of the present –how we got where we are and where we are potentially headed. The study of History provides a profound understanding of the present, human behaviours and actions, and cultural and ethical issues, as well as a sense of direction and identity.
Not only will History students learn about great leaders of the past, they will also learn what ordinary people believed and valued –how they lived, worshiped, worked, fought, and died. Students will have the opportunity to take thematic and regional courses in Ancient, Medieval and Modern history from the geographic areas that shaped our world today.
History majors can complete a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Arts and Science.
Students interested in History can complete:
- Bachelor of Arts (History)
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (History)
- Bachelor of Arts (History)/Bachelor of Education (BEd)
- Bachelor of Arts (History)/Bachelor of Management (BMgt)
The combined degrees leverage synergies with other Bachelor programs and open up additional career opportunities.
Skills
- Capacity to Understand & Interpret Both the Past & Present
- Compare & Contrast Ideas & Information
- Critical Thinking
- Global Perspective
- Information Management
- Interpersonal Skills
- Meet Deadlines
- Oral & Written Communication
- Organizational
- Present Ideas & Data Clearly
- Problem Solving
- Project Management
- Provide Relevant Perspectives
- Research
- Synthesize Complex Information
- Teamwork
- Understanding of Past Political & Social Processes
- Work Independently
Work Environment
A major in History provides an excellent foundation for law, management, or education, as well as providing a wide variety of career options. History graduates may find employment in consulting firms, arts and cultural centres/organizations/museums, research or academic institutions, governmental organizations, law agencies, media companies, tourism companies, genealogy research firms, archaeology firms, publishing companies or non-governmental/non-profit organizations.
Key Areas of Specialization:
- Canada
- Europe
- Latin America
- United States
- African-American History
- Imperial & India
- China
- Aboriginal/Ethnic & Immigration History
- History of Science
- Intellectual History
- Political History,
- Religious History
- Social History
- Gender & Sexuality
- Digital History
Career Possibilities
These jobs are normally intended for new graduates and require 0 to 2 years of experience. It is important to note that many entry level positions require some related experience or demonstrated ability to perform job-related tasks. Even those positions that do not require experience will still prefer an experienced candidate if one is available.
- Admissions Counsellor/ Representative
- Admissions Specialist (College)
- Canadian Heritage Guide
- Community Connection & Youth Coordinator
- Curatorial Assistant
- Interpretive Tour Guide
- Junior Clerk
- Learning Centre Instructor
- Publication Coordinator
- Student Accessibility Tutor
- Student Data Clerk
- Student Recruitment Officer
- Student Services Coordinator
- Survey Assistant
- Travel Consultant
These jobs generally require extensive, relevant work experience and/or further education.
- Acquisitions Editor
- Activist
- Antique Dealer
- Appraiser
- Archivist
- Art Historian
- Arts Administrator
- Bank Customer Services Representative
- Biographer
- Border Services Officer
- Business Administrator/Manager
- Career Development Professional
- Chief Administrative Officer
- City Planner
- Civil Litigator
- Civil Service Agent
- Community Centre Director
- Community Development Coordinator
- Community Engagement Specialist
- Community Outreach Worker
- Community Program Manager
- Conservator
- Consumer Advocate
- Corporate Historian
- Corrections Officer
- Creative Writer
- Crime Prevention Coordinator
- Cultural Affairs Specialist
- Cultural Tour Guide
- Customs Broker
- Demographer
- Diplomat
- Diversity Officer
- Documentarian
- Documentary Editor
- Editor
- Educational Researcher
- Environmental Historian
- Exhibit Designer
- Foreign Affairs/Service Officer
- Foreign Correspondent
- Fundraiser
- Genealogical Researcher
- Genealogical Services Specialist
- Genealogist
- Government Administrator
- Governmental Diplomat
- Heritage Coordinator
- Heritage Interpreter
- Historian
- Historic Foundation Administrator
- Historic Site Administrator
- Historical Archaeologist
- Historical Documentation Specialist
- Historical Fiction Writer
- Historical Film Producer
- Historical Interpreter
- Historical Museum Administrative Assistant
- Historical Projects Coordinator
- Historical Researcher
- Human Resources Officer
- Immigration Officer
- Information Officer
- Institutional Researcher/Historian
- International Development Coordinator
- International Trade Specialist
- Journalist
- Labor Relations Specialist
- Librarian
- Lobbyist
- Management Consultant
- Manager of Customer Relations
- Manager of Volunteer Resources
- Media Correspondent–Historical Consultant
- Mediator
- Museum Administrator
- Museum Collections Manager
- Museum Curator
- Museum Educator/ Programmer
- Museum Interpreter
- Museum Technician
- Non-profit Administrator
- Policy Advisor/Analyst
- Political Advisor/Aide
- Politician
- Population Studies Analyst
- Preservation Planner
- Preservation/Restoration Specialist
- Public Policy Analyst
- Public Relations Agent
- Publisher
- Radio/TV Research Assistant
- Records Management Technician
- Reporter
- Research Assistant
- Resettlement Worker
- Social Policy Researcher
- Student Life/Residence Coordinator
- Teacher
- Technical Writer
- Title Searcher
- Tour Guide
- Tourism Consultant
- Training Specialist
- Underwriter
- University Administrator
- University Professor
- Urban and Regional Planner
On average, people change their careers three to five times in their lifetime. So, no matter what major you choose, you may still be interested in opportunities totally unrelated to your program of study. We encourage you to be open to all possibilities! Your undergraduate degree can be a springboard for other educational pursuits, and your transferable skills and experience can prepare you to work in a multitude of settings.
- Aboriginal Enhancement Support Worker
- Aboriginal Liaison Officer
- Advertising & Promotions Manager
- Advertising Copywriter
- Anthropologist
- Archaeologist
- Art Appraiser
- Art Dealer
- Bank Customer Services Representative
- Casting Director
- Child and Youth Worker
- Communications Specialist
- Computer Programmer
- Conservation Officer
- Consumer Credit Manager
- Curriculum Specialist
- Event Coordinator/Planner
- Events Manager & Fundraiser
- Financial Researcher
- Interfaith Minister
- Interpretive Naturalist
- Investment Advisor
- Judicial Clerk
- Land Agent
- Landscape Architect
- Lawyer
- Legal Assistant
- Legislative Aid
- Lexicographer
- Market Research Analyst
- Marketing Specialist
- Media Analyst
- Mediator/Conflict Resolution Specialist
- Paralegal
- Print Journalist
- Project Manager
- Promotions Manager
- Real Estate Agent
- Religious Worker
- Scriptwriter/Screenwriter
- Set Designer
- Settlement Worker
- Social Worker
- Speech Writer
- Speech-Language Assistant
- Stage Manager
- Sustainability Specialist
Useful Resources
- Canadian Historical Association http://www.cha-shc.ca/
- Canadian Museums Association http://www.museums.ca/
- Canadian Heritage http://www.pch.gc.ca/
- Heritage Canada The National Trust http://www.heritagecanada.org
- Association of Canadian Archivists http://archivists.ca
- Canadian Heritage Information Network https://www.canada.ca/en/heritage-information-network.html
- Galt Museum & Archives Lethbridge http://www.galtmuseum.com/
- Library & Archives Canada Pages - Home (canada.ca)
- Canadian International Council http://opencanada.org
- Canadian Council on Social Development http://www.ccsd.ca
- The Council of Canadians - Acting for Social Justice http://www.canadians.org
- Canadian Geographic http://www.canadiangeographic.ca
- Canada History http://www.canadahistory.com
- American Historical Association http://www.historians.org
- American Antiquarian Society http://www.americanantiquarian.org
- United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization http://en.unesco.org
Add Value to Your Degree
The more you do to differentiate yourself, the more likely you are to succeed in building a fulfilling career path for yourself. It takes more than just attending classes to stand out amongst other students and new graduates. Become an explorer! Try new things, challenge yourself, build unique skills, and connect with diverse people.
Use the ideas listed below to help you brainstorm experiences to add value to your degree. For more ideas on experiential opportunities at the University of Lethbridge, view the Student Experience Transcript.
Making connections with others is one of the best ways to learn about the world of work and gain access to career-building opportunities. Making meaningful connections with people is often called building a network. Building these connections can give you access to jobs before they are posted, or to jobs that are not publicly posted. Employers like to hire people they have already built relationships with, and are more likely to hire people who have been recommended by trusted colleagues and friends.
Start building your network by attending Career Fairs and other on-campus recruitment events found on the Career Services Events page within the Career Bridge portal. Get introduced to career professionals in a welcoming and approachable way through uLethbridge Connect at Ten Thousand Coffees. Consider joining a professional association to help you find opportunities to meet experienced professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.
d professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.
Co-operative Education allows you to earn income through real-world work experience that is related to your academic studies. Completing a co-op work term provides you with an opportunity to build your skills in a practical work setting, network with employers, and increase your marketability after graduation.
Co-operative education is available to undergraduate and graduate-level students within a variety of programs in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Dhillon School of Business, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Health Sciences. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how co-op works here.
The Applied Studies program offers you the opportunity to earn academic credit for learning gained through employment or volunteer experiences. Placements provide skill development and experiential learning related to your studies by integrating principles learned in the classroom with practical situations encountered on the job.
Participating in clubs and running for student government are great ways to build employability skills, learn how to work with others, and demonstrate your leadership abilities.
The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union is committed to building a rewarding and enriching experience for undergraduate students. They have positions for Executive Council members and General Assembly members, as well as an extensive list of ratified clubs, offering opportunities to get involved in areas of interest and in leadership positions.
The Graduate Students’ Association’s mandate is to identify and advocate for graduate student needs. They have GSA Executive positions, GSA Council positions, and a mentorship program for incoming students.
The University of Lethbridge provides many different opportunities to gain research experience in addition to the required courses in your degree program.
An independent study is a chance for you to design your own research project for course credit under the supervision of a professor of your choice. Course work usually requires independent library research and/or field work and/or a major term paper. For more information, meet with an Academic Advisor and the Department or Faculty member under whom you wish to pursue an Independent Study.
You can also opt to complete an Undergraduate Thesis Course. This will allow you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree and is a great springboard into graduate studies and professional programs. Fourth-year standing and a cumulative GPA of 3.30 is required to complete an Honours Thesis; it is also helpful to have previous research experience like Independent Studies. For more information, contact the Department or Faculty member under whom you with to pursue your Honours Thesis.
The Office of Research and Innovation Services has a wealth of information on additional research opportunities for students, including Student Funding, Student Research Positions, AGILITY, and events. The School of Graduate Studies has information on Research Opportunities/Graduate Student Positions and GA/Co-op/Internship Opportunities. If you are interested in building your research portfolio, do not miss out on these opportunities!
International experience builds valuable employability skills like adaptability, multi-cultural awareness, and the initiative to take on new challenges. Gain an international perspective by participating in Education Abroad opportunities like semester exchanges, study tours, field studies, work-study tours, internships, and more. Learn about international careers and resources through MyWorldAbroad (available within the Career Bridge portal).
Volunteerism is an excellent way to demonstrate your current skills, build new skills, and grow your network. If you are not sure where to get started, connect with UVolunteer, the University of Lethbridge’s partnership with Volunteer Lethbridge. If you already volunteer, UVolunteer can provide you with a framework to organize and document your volunteer work. If you are not sure how or where to get involved, UVolunteer can help you find volunteer opportunities that meet your needs and the needs of your community. Also consider volunteering with a local Board, Commission, or Committee.