History majors learn skills that make them highly competitive in today’s job market. As a historian, you will locate, collect, analyze, and synthesize data, arguments, and information. Historians can take the general and make it specific, and provide convincing and compelling arguments that influence future decisions. You have the option to concentrate in cultural history or contemporary history.
History majors find careers in the fields of education, government, politics, law, and the private sector. In other words, history majors are not pigeonholed into any single career path. In a rapidly changing market, they have the skill-set to adapt and pursue a number of career options. Being able to communicate effectively, write persuasively, analyze information and argue convincingly, are all crucial traits that employers look for.
Primarily, historians analyze artifacts from the past to derive lessons about the present. This process, however, is far more interesting than memorizing dates, names, and facts. These skills can be applied to academics, education, government and law, but they are equally sought after in the private sector. The skill-set of a historian – which includes outstanding written and verbal communication skills, information analysis, argumentation and persuasion – prepares you to be successful in today’s competitive marketplace.
According to the journal Foreign Policy, the number one field of study for people pursuing careers in international affairs is history. According to the University of Michigan Law School, history is one of the primary majors for future Law students. Job sites such as Monster.com show that history majors begin careers with salaries comparable to other popular university majors such as English or Psychology. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, employers favor graduates with skills learned in history, not technical education.
History doesn’t have any marketability.
Not true! Training for one specific career might help you in the short term, but if the market changes, you may be forced to move long distances, take a pay cut, or find yourself unemployed. A broader educational skill-set, like the kind history provides, prepares you to adapt to any number of employment situations, making you marketable to more than just one field.
History degrees don’t have “real-world application.”
Yes they do! In fact, they open up many doors instead of one. Tech training in one specific skill set (welding, a computer programming language, etc., all of which are important) might pigeonhole you in long run if the market changes. A history degree makes you adaptable to an ever changing market.
A History background shouldn’t lead to questions like “What can I do?” Instead, it should make you ponder “What can’t I do?”
September 27, 2022
Associate professor will also serve as interim dean of the International School of Art & Design
Finlandia University has hired Dr. Cassandra (Carlson) Hill as dean of Suomi College of Arts & Sciences and interim dean of the International School of Art & Design. Hill began her duties on July 1.
Before joining Finlandia, Hill ventured coast-to-coast, holding her first tenure-track position at Cal. Poly-San Luis Obispo in California, advancing to tenured professor and eventually associate chair of communication, media, […] Read More
July 13, 2022
Dr. Richard Gee joined Finlandia’s Suomi College of Arts & Sciences in 2012 when he was brought on to develop the University’s Criminal Justice curriculum. After revising, creating and teaching more than 30 different courses and establishing multiple articulation agreements for continued learning, Gee was honored at this year’s spring commencement with the 2022 Board of Trustees Distinguished Faculty Award.
“I was honored to be nominated by Dr. Virtanen for the award,” Gee said. “I […] Read More
May 20, 2022
Finlandia University was recently named among the best for bachelor’s degrees in the State of Michigan in 2022 by University Headquarters.
Among the most important factors in the ranking system of University HQ is accreditation and the Higher Learning Commission provides that to Finlandia University with institutional accreditation. Physical Therapy Assistant and Nursing programs at Finlandia are also accredited. This is factored into ranking in addition to admission and retention rates, tuition costs, degree options and graduation rates. As a […] Read More
Fill out the form below and our staff will be in touch with you shortly to help you schedule a visit, start your application process or answer questions!
Dean (Suomi College of Arts & Sciences/International School of Art & Design)
Cassandra.Hill@finlandia.eduAssociate Professor, Finnish & Nordic Studies; Chair, Institutional Review Board
hilary.virtanen@finlandia.edu