History

Why study history? Because every succeeding generation has new questions to ask of the past. History is constantly being rewritten which makes it an exciting, dramatic discipline. Perhaps of equal importance, studying history allows students to develop skills in demand in the workplace. In fact, a recent survey found that employers rank writing, research, critical thinking, and perspective-taking as the most vital skills they hope to see in new hires. These are precisely the skills one develops in the sustained study of history. History majors at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) develop as writers by producing a capstone paper inviting them to locate, evaluate, and make sense of evidence.

Our history majors enjoy a small-school experience in a large, urban, research university. With only a few exceptions, all of our undergraduate courses are taught by UIC faculty. Large introductory courses almost always include a smaller weekly discussion component led by teaching assistants. Advanced courses for majors can be as small as 10–12 students. At the same time, our undergraduates have the freedom to explore a variety of interests while remaining grounded in the mainstream of the discipline. Majors are actively involved in creating their own regional, chronological, or thematic concentration in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

See how other students found their fit below with this major!

Below is a sample of how UIC alumni have applied their History major to a professional path!

• Channel Service Support, Apple
• Consultant, HBR Consulting
• Financial Sales Consultant, PNC
• Law Clerk, Laduzinsky & Associates
• Portfolio Manager, U.S. Bank
• Race Equity Initiative Project Manager, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
• Senior Records Assistant, City of Naperville
• Senior Enrollment Advisor, All Campus
• School Counselor, Watertown High School
• Social Studies Teacher, Instiuto del Progreso Latino
• Youth Care Worker, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls

In addition to the foundation set of skills and competencies you will gain in any liberal arts and science major, there are also unique skills and perspectives you gain from your History major. Review the list below to learn more:

• Strengthening of research and analytical skills
• Development of written and oral communication skills
• Ability to synthesize complex information and draw conclusions
• Presentation and teaching of information to a diverse range of audiences while remaining true to the evidence
• Offer solutions to problems and examine multiple points of view
• Understanding of diverse cultures and strengthening of global and intercultural fluency
• Understand and interpret past and present and recognize relevant patterns/trends

There are many work place settings, industries, and career areas you can apply your major based on your professional interests. Below is a sample list of industry clusters that other History majors have transitioned into professionally. What type of setting or career focus appeals to you?

• Historians as Educators: elementary, secondary, post-Secondary education, historic sites and museums
• Historians as Researchers: museums, historical organizations, cultural resources, preservation, and think tanks
• Historians as Communicators: writers, editors, journalists, and documentary editors
• Historians as Information Managers: archivists and records managers, librarians, and information managers
• Historians as Advocates: lawyers, paralegals, and legislative staff
• Historians in Business and Associations: historians and non-profit associations and historians in corporations

Note: American Historical Association, www.historians.org