I am writing this as a history major, for history majors to encourage you to continue with your passion!

Rest assured, you can and will be successful with a degree in History.

So what exactly does a major in History involve?

Contrary to popular belief, being a History major is not just about memorizing years and people and events. It is so much more than that, more than the US History you HAD to learn in middle school. It's about collecting information, interpreting the meaning and impact of people, things, and events on the world back then, and as we know it today. It also involves communicating your findings to the public, making History a vital part of society today, more than ever. Some say it's a hard major because it will give you some of the best skills in the industry.

What's so good about being a History Major?

It seems that people have this idea in their heads that all History Majors do is read books, and study a bunch of dead people, and things that happened so long ago, they shouldn't matter. This is science, math, and technology filled world, and studying the here and now, and the future, is seemingly what catches peoples interest, and it may sometimes feel like they gain way more useful skills and better jobs than a History Major ever could. However, that is not at all true. History Majors have some of the best writing skills in the business, aside from English and Creative Writing majors, and you will know this to be true if you are a History major. Remember all of those papers you wrote last semester, all of that research? That's exactly what I'm talking about. According to the University of California at Davis, History majors gain very valuable skills in research, writing, argumentation, and documentation, skills that the job industry craves. Also, according to Bethel University, History majors develop unmatched skills in critical thinking and creativity, which are always staples in the working world.

Myths About Majoring in History:

1. The only thing history is useful for is teaching

This is absolutely not true. Just because you want to be a teacher does not mean that you have to study History. Likewise, just because you study History, that does not mean that you absolutely have to be a teacher. Yes, its essential to being a teacher, but that does not mean that you have to teach.

2. An education in History does not provide "real" skills

This is yet another huge misconception about History degrees. Earning a degree in History is not only tough because its a college level accomplishment, but because it is a test of your willingness and persistence to pursue one of the most rigorous educations in the industry, and that is a Liberal Arts education. An education in the Liberal Arts is very very useful when it comes to finding work because it is well known for its well-roundness and teaching of critical thinking and creativity skills, things that will set you aside from the applicant pool.

3. "You'll Never Find A Job With That Degree"

This is the misconception that bothers me the most about History majors, because of two reasons. One, it is absolutely, with out a doubt untrue; and two, it damages your passion for the subject. If you are a History major, you know exactly what I'm talking about, because you've probably heard it every time someone asks what you're studying. I have heard from a family member on multiple occasions that I will never be able to pay back my loans, or find a job, simply because I studied something that wasn't in the medical field, against her wishes. Hearing something like this over and over and over really wears on your confidence in your abilities, and I found this out when I began my first semester of college, and nearly changed my major because I was feeling very insecure about my abilities, and the negative thoughts that she instilled into my head. From a History major, to other potential/current History majors, just realize that this is not true in the slightest. There are plenty of jobs out there for History majors, you just have to put in the effort.

So what jobs are there for History majors?

Because of the great skills and vast amount of knowledge that History majors gain, there are plenty of jobs out there, and they definitely vary. We already know that a history degree is vital to becoming a teacher, but did you know that it also is a sure-fire way to get into business and medical school? That's because the degree itself is so well-rounded that it fits many areas of work. Because of this very same reason, it also could put you on the track to becoming a lawyer, an entertainer, or if you take the more traditional route, you could become a Historian, museum curator/coordinator, and other things. To help you get an idea of what a Bachelor's in History could do for you, here is a list of entry level positions and skills learned as History majors.

https://cas.bethel.edu/dept/history/Jobs_Skills.pd...

With all of this being said, going to college for a degree that everyone is telling you is a waste of time, and you have no idea what to expect, is tough. However, being educated on the value of a history degree is the first step in being successful as History major, so I hope that this articel was of some use!