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Many high school graduates want to pursue careers that guarantee a comfortable life and align with their passion. It’s not surprising that many would take up degrees preparing them for essential fields such as medicine and law. However, a considerable number of these youngsters would go on to choose liberal arts courses, particularly history. Despite what others might say, a history degree can still take you places and help you forge reputable careers in academia and the cultural economy.
However, a degree in history is not for anyone. It involves using creative and critical thinking skills and even if you have those, you still won’t go far if you lack what it takes to thrive. Whether you’re fresh out of high school or looking for a career shift, it matters to know if you’re ready to take on the demands and challenges of being a student of history. Knowing if you have it in you is crucial to making the most out of your journey. Here’s a simple guide to help you decide:
1. You have a passion for the past
Anyone can study history as a major but not everyone can hack it. If you lack a burning interest in past events and issues, you won’t go far in your journey. For this reason, it pays to check if you have a genuine passion for history, whether it’s focusing on the late Roman Empire or the Second World War.
You know you’re an enthusiast if you go beyond watching National Geographic documentaries by attending lectures with famous historians and reading books such as memoirs and articles in the form of reportage. Having a talent for creative and academic writing can also be a major factor in deciding whether history is right for you. If you lack such a drive for consuming informational material and writing essays about the past then you’re better off choosing a different field.
2. You’re an analytical and critical thinker
Studying history isn’t just about reading and writing what other historians say about a historical personality or event. The field encourages critical thinking and pushes you to dig deeper to clarify accepted information about the past. Many issues are still up for debate and being a good student of history compels you to consume more material and be open to recently unearthed information.
You need to have a heart for research, analyzing documents and testimonies and synthesizing the findings of different authors. Studying history means getting closer to the truth of what happened in the past based on empirical data. It requires a lot of work but if your passion for history is coupled by your capacity for critical thinking, then you’re already on the right path.
3. You understand that history leads to different career paths
Many would like to assume that studying history will only lead to a career as a historian but that’s not entirely true. Much like psychiatrists looking to expand their horizons by securing an EMDR certification or getting additional training in forensic psychology, history students are also provided with a long list of possible career options to consider. For one, you can become a museum curator or a cultural worker focusing on indigenous communities.
You also have the option of working as a journalist, researcher, or university instructor. In some cases, history students would consider their degree as a prelude to taking up law which also requires critical thinking. There’s a wide ocean of roles you can take and realizing that should help you decide whether a history degree is worth your time and resources.
Endnote
Not everyone is fit to study history but if you realize you have what it takes to succeed in the field, then it might just be your window to an illustrious career.