History Introduction There are various options available to History graduates including going into employment, taking further study, starting your own business or taking a year out to travel or volunteer. This factsheet will help you look at career and further study ideas. We recommend that you also view the Career Planning Action factsheet as this will help you consider what you would like to do.
Skills & Employability A History degree provides excellent skills, not just for the Heritage sector, but for a wide variety of work. Skills gained include the ability to research and critically analyse text as well as communication and team working skills. These skills are valued by many businesses and government offices such as in Education and Research, the Heritage sector and Library and Information Management. Skills include: n Analytical & Research ability n
Effective communication
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Interpreting/summarising evidence
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Negotiation skills
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Problem Solving
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Reasoned argument and critical debate
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Research methods
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Working to deadlines
You will also have gained many skills from work, volunteering or extra-curricular activities. When exploring your options you will need to find out about the skills and experience required for the careers you are interested in and consider if you have any gaps and how you can fill them ready for when you graduate. Your employability will be further improved if you undertake work experience and relevant postgraduate qualifications.
Skills and Employability Action Points Action points to help you recognise your skills and improve your employability n n
See the Employability factsheet Skills Assessment (Go to the ‘Careers and Employability’ pages on the website, select ‘Make yourself Employable’, ‘and ‘Skills Assessment’).
Career ideas - the following ideas may require further training or qualifications. Related Careers n n n n n n
Archaeologist Galleries / museum curator Castles / country house management Historic buildings inspector Cultural Management Museum education officer
Alternative Career Ideas n n n n n n
Advertising and marketing Libraries/Records Management Archivist Patent examiner Civil Service Town planner