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?”
August 19, 2021
Finlandia is excited to introduce its Fall 2021 Orientation Leaders. On-Campus Orientation is a series of in-person events and activities that will introduce students to the Finlandia campus and community. Each new student will be assigned to an orientation group or “flock”, named after a bird species that is present in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Each flock will have a different orientation schedule, which will be provided to students after they arrive on campus. We encourage students to ask questions and […] Read More
April 05, 2021
A new agreement between Concordia University Wisconsin’s School of Pharmacy and Finlandia University gives students the opportunity to obtain a bachelor’s degree and a CUW PharmD degree, and save a year of studies in the process.
Finlandia University is excited to announce the signing of a 3+4 dual degree agreement with the Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW), located in Mequon, Wisc. In the program, students will spend three years in a Bachelor of Science in Biology program at Finlandia fulfilling […] Read More
February 10, 2021
Finlandia University is excited to announce a new articulation agreement between FinnU and Northern Michigan University that will provide a clear pathway for students interested in pursing a Master’s of Social Work degree.
“We developed this partnership so that any students in those Psychology, Sociology or Criminal Justice majors can then qualify for what we’re calling the Early Assurance Program into Northern’s MSW program,” said Dr. Jason Oyadomari, Dean of the Suomi College of Arts & Sciences.
While the agreement won’t guarantee FinnU […] Read More
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Associate Professor of Biology & Dean of Suomi College of Arts and Sciences
jason.oyadomari@finlandia.eduAssistant Professor, Finnish & Nordic Studies; Chair, Institutional Review Board
hilary.virtanen@finlandia.edu