Careers

A degree in history provides you with skills in research, analysis, and communication that prepare you for a career or graduate study in a wide range of fields. Although many people associate history with teaching or museums, that only scratches the surface. Did you know that recent CEOs of Gillette, IBM, and Sony were all history majors? A degree in history does not necessarily direct you to a certain career, but always offers many possibilities.

students at graduationThe history program at MCLA emphasizes developing your ability to find, analyze, and present information. Employers want to hire candidates who understand complex ideas, who can see the big picture and make good decisions, and who can be trusted to complete projects—these are examples of what you learn when you complete a history degree. You might be researching wars in ancient Greece or the the roles of Japanese women during the nineteenth century, but the skills you are building are what employers want you to bring to their companies.

URC student explaining presentationOur senior course, Career and ePortfolio Workshop, supports seniors as they consider potential career fields and then craft resumes and cover letters so that as they graduate they have strong application materials and understand strategies for successfully finding employment.

For much more on the diverse careers open to history majors, look through this web page from the American Historical Association.

Here are examples of positions held by recent graduates of the MCLA History program:

  • Archivist, National Archives and Records Administration
  • Assistant Athletic Director, Carnegie Mellon University
  • Attorney, Family Legal Partners
  • Attorney, The Hartford Financial Services Group
  • Children's Librarian, Adams Free Library
  • Document Coordinator, Mass Biologics
  • History and Social Studies Teachers in schools across MA
  • Marketing & Development Specialist, Center for EcoTechnology
  • Oral History Coordinator and Archivist, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library
  • Social Worker, Department of Transitional Assistance
  • Staff Assistant, MGH Radiology
  • Team Leader/Medic, United States Army
  • Teach for America
  • Trooper, New York State Police

History In the News

Lauren Casola

As a pollution claims analyst at RiverStone Resources in Atlanta, Georgia, Lauren Casola ’09 has something few attorneys can claim: A healthy work-life balance.

Kevin Pink and Ben Lamb

Recently, Kevin Pink ’09 joined Ben Lamb ’07 at 1Berkshire, a county-wide organization focused on economic development and promotion of the Berkshire region as a preferred place to visit, to live, and to grow a business.