I’m a History Major.
Yes, I know I’m not going to get paid a lot.
And I know that I will struggle to find a job after a graduate unless I go to Grad school and receive my Master’s. The way this country is going, anyone that has a degree is struggling to get a good,paying job in their field.
But that’s not my problem.
My problem are the misconceptions anyone has about someone who is a history major:
1. Everyone Thinks You’re Going to Teach
Absolutely not.
I have had my fair share of teaching and I am not a patient person. Kids lose interest, they’re disrespectful no matter how hard you work to make sure you don’t leave one child behind in the classroom. If I’m going to get a low pay rate with my degree, I’d be working in something a little more stress less than teaching. Not knocking any teachers out there. My best friend is an eighth grade science teacher. It’s just not for everybody.
2. Homework is simple, until you have to remember everything you’ve just read
I hate when people say History majors have it easy with homework because all we do is read. Yeah, we have to read and read again, and again then take notes, and read it again Nobody wants to walk into class the next day and look stupid when they discover a quiz and get half of it wrong because they only read page 32 once.
3. When you tell people your major everyone assumes your life will be like the Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider or Mummy Series
That would be awesome, but I highly doubt it. I would make jokes all the time with my friends about travelling the world to different historical land spots and museums and their immediate response is ‘I don’t wanna die.’ Because I really would take my friends to a tropical rainforest with booby traps and fictional curses.
I love my life too.
4. YOUR PAPERS HAVE TO BE PERFECT
This is exaggerated.
But it’s really annoying when it’s exam time and you have to write an essay at the end of every test. Every little detail counts. You can write the best essay possible with every event told correctly but if you spell that person’s name wrong or write the wrong date for an event you’re screwed because then your paper goes from an elegantly written essay to a red Bic pen’s playground.
5. History is not ‘Hot Gossip’ at the dinner table
This isn’t really a misconception people would have with History majors but it’s funny and something to consider when you’re with your non-history major friends, unless they too have an interest in history. Your friends don’t want to talk about any connections you’ve made with Ancient political leaders. Bring that up in a conversation in the café and you will sound like a nerd. King Tut and Julius Caesar cannot compare to what the Kardashians decided to wear at the VMA’s or who your best friend’s new crush is.
