Careers for History Buffs (beyond academia)

University Career Center110 Burge Union785-864-3624KUCareerHawk.com

Getting Started

Write down one career-related

concern or question you have

Today’s Agenda

Career planning process overview Possible career paths Strategies for increasing

your career success UCC resources

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Career Planning ProcessGood career decisions involve… Assessing your personal

strengths, interests, personality, values, and talents

Exploring career options & the “world of work”

Engaging in hands-on experiences that enhance career development

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Assessment

Exploration

Engagement

Possible Career Paths

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In general, there are 3 basic career options for History majors:

1. Practice History directly• Federal/state agencies – Smithsonian, Library of Congress,

National Archives and Records, National Park Service, archives, museums, historic sites

• Politics/law – Elected officials, national political party headquarters, political campaigns, public interest/advocacy groups

• Curatorial/Archival Management – Museums, historical homes, historical societies, libraries, special collections, research institutes

• Education – Zoological parks, wildlife refuges, arboretums, camps, national and state parks

Possible Career Paths2. Apply skills gained through your

major to a field outside of History

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Skills developed by a KU History major:• The ability to analyze complex

questions • A detective's eye for finding

information (ie, research!) • The power of writing and

thinking clearlySource: www.history.ku.edu

Top 5 skills/qualities employers are looking for in their new hires:• Communication skills• Strong work ethic• Teamwork skills• Interpersonal skills• Problem-solving skills (tied for 5th)• Analytical skills (tied for 5th)Source: National Association of Colleges & Employers

Possible Career Paths2. Apply skills gained through your

major to a field outside of History

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When trying to identify a job target outside of History, it’s important to first think about the skill(s) you WANT to use. (What attracted you to history in the first place?) Writing – Consider: public relations, advertising, journalism, editing, or

web positions Researching – Consider: market research, non-profit policy research,

legislative research, legislative aide, or insurance positions Analyzing complex problems – Consider: human services agencies,

public service agencies (Housing and Urban Development, Social Security Administration, State Department, etc.), non-profit organizations

Possible Career Paths

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3. Pursue an advanced degreeIf you are considering graduate school, ask yourself the following: Why are you thinking about graduate school? What are your career goals? How will graduate school

help you reach these goals? What kinds of programs are you considering?

For more information, check out www.h-net.org/~hstmajor, a moderated discussion forum by and for undergraduate history majors featuring discussions on graduate school and other related topics.

Strategies for Career Success

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Get experience! (KUCareerHawk.com/internships) Complete relevant coursework

outside of your major Be flexible about your geographic

preference(s) Be willing to take an entry-level

position in your field as a stepping stone

Effectively communicate (and translate) your value to each employer and position for which you apply

Consider obtaining an advanced degree if it’s necessary to reach your career goal

UCC Resources Individual appointments

o Resume and cover letter assistance

o Mock interviewso Career assessments

Online resourceso KU Career Connections -

job and internship postings

o Career and Major Exploration pages – career and industry information

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Print resourceso Career resource library

with 500+ books

Networking eventso Public Service & Non-

Profit Career FairOct. 20, 3:30-6:30pmKS Union Ballroom

Thank You!University Career Center110 Burge Union785-864-3624KUCareerHawk.comM-F: 8am-5pmOpen Year-Round