What Can I Do With a Major in Public History?

A Public History Major shows you how to pull the past into the present and set yourself up for success in grad school or your chosen career.

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As a Public History major, you get to fully explore the field through both study and active projects. You can sample museums, take in heritage tourism, and learn about the past through research.

You may pull the past into the present by making archives digital. You'll study museums, learn historic preservation, practice creating and writing exhibits, and many other history-related projects. You may even get to record the stories people tell about living through key events. Either way, you'll play an active role in academic and community projects. Your study can prepare you for a wide variety of fields and ready you for graduate school.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), people who majored in history had a mean salary of $63,000 in 2021. That means half of those surveyed earned less, and half earned more. History majors were also more likely to earn a graduate degree than other majors overall. 

Sources: BLS, Rutgers University, Ashland University

Career Options, Employers, and Transferable Skills

*Some may require further education or specialization.

Aquarium Curator
Archaeological Technician
Architectural Historian
Archivist
Author
Book Conservator
Community Coordinator
Consultant
Curator
Digital Collections Manager
Education Coordinator
Elementary/Secondary Teacher
Freelance Writer
Fundraising Manager
Genealogist
Historian
Historic Preservationist
Historic Site Administrator
Historical Archivist
History Consultant
Interpreter
Lawyer
Librarian
Media Producer
Museum Marketing Coordinator
Museum Preserver
Oral History Coordinator
Outreach Historian
Preservation Architect
Professor
Project Coordinator
Repatriation Specialist
Researcher
Reservations Agent
Resident Living History Caretaker
Tour Guide
Transcriber
Volunteer Manager

Advertising Agencies
Archives
Banks
Book/Magazine Publishing Companies
Churches
Civic Organizations
Colleges/Universities
Community Arts Centers
Community Organizations
Consulting Firms
Cultural Organizations
Educational Institutions
Environmental Organizations
Foundations
Government Agencies
Historic Sites
Historical Societies
K-12 School Systems
Law Firms
Libraries
Magazines
Media Corporations
Medical Offices
Museums
National Parks and Services
Newspapers
Political Organizations
Professional Associations
Public Archaeologist
Public Interest Groups
Public Relations Firms
Radio/TV Companies
Research Facilities
Research Firms
Tourism Organizations

Weighs out the options in a situation or problem and logically chooses the best course of action

Pays attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made

Determines how much money is required to get a job done, allocating those monies and then accounting for all expenditures

Assigns duties to others, motivates them, and evaluates their performance

Allocates and budgets time for different tasks to ensure things get done when needed

Understands complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports

Uses logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems

Comfortable giving speeches or speaking in a group to convey information, explain ideas or give instructions

Composes and communicates ideas in written form

Experiential Learning

  • Creating and designing exhibits
  • Managing projects and people in a museum setting
  • Working with records for a library
  • Writing articles for a historical society
  • Developing a webcast about public history
  • Working with children at a museum camp
  • Preserving museum materials
  • Organizing cultural events for the community
  • Managing a historical site
  • Finding local archaeological programs
  • Volunteering with tourism venues and/or libraries

 

Professional Associations

Enhancing Your Employability

Here are some ways to improve your job prospects:

  • Take additional coursework in Communications, Journalism, and Radio/Television/Film coursework.
  • Join relevant student organizations to develop leadership skills.
  • Participate in internships and field experience placements.
  • Participate in a study abroad trip.
  • Become active in alumni and mentor networks.

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