Where do I go with history?

Career World, Jan, 2007

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Those are the famous words of philosopher George Santayana. Understanding the past and how it relates to the present is the basic goal of any history lesson. History students also learn valuable skills in researching, writing, analyzing data, synthesizing information, and drawing conclusions. Those are all skills that can be used successfully in almost any career. If it's the story of our past that really flips your quill, then consider these career paths for history buffs.

DEGREE KEY

H = high school diploma

A = associate degree

B = bachelor's degree

M = master's degree

D = doctoral degree

INFO CENTRAL

Curator Be the one who brings all of King Tut's bling together in one place! Curators direct the acquisition of objects for and planning of museum exhibits and plan the instructional elements of exhibits. (B, M)

Archivist What does one do with a newly discovered letter signed by George Washington? Archive it! Archivists research, identify, preserve, and utilize historical documents and records, such as letters, maps, legal documents, books, material objects, photographs, audio recordings, and videos. They work in educational or government institutions, historical societies, museums, libraries, businesses, and religious institutions. (B, M)

Historic Preservationist and Restoration Specialist Keep the medieval castle looking as formidable as the day it was stormed. Historic preservationists and restoration specialists preserve, conserve, and restore history for posterity. They work at historical sites or with historical documents, art, and artifacts and conduct historical and legal research. (B)

Archaeologist Dig deep into the past--literally! Archaeologists locate and excavate historic material objects and study artifacts that tell the story of civilization in our world. (D)

Information Specialist Be the keeper of the 411 on the laws related to keeping a noisy parrot on your property. Information specialists manage, organize, analyze, and communicate data, research, and other information in a variety of industries, including businesses, libraries, health-care institutions, and government organizations. (B)

MEDIA SAVVY

Journalist To write well about today's issues, you have to also know how yesterday's events relate. Journalists L use history to research and apply historical perspectives to current events. (B)

Filmmaker/Screenwriter Want to bring history back to life? Pen or produce the next epic historical film. (A, B)

Editor History comes into play with a variety of manuscripts, from historical studies to historical romances. Editors enusre historical accuracy in both nonfiction and fiction writing. They also acquire historical works for book publishing houses and magazines. (B)

Communications/Media Producer Research, write, and produce historical documentaries and television shows. (A, B)

Production/Costume Designer Help a production avoid historical inaccuracies. Whether it's ancient Tibet or the deck of the Titanic, research and design the look of historical films, TV shows, or plays. (A, B)

PUBLIC SERVICE

Foreign Service Officer Foreign service officers are employed by the U.S. Department of State. They work in economic, business, political, and cultural areas and serve in consular offices and in administrative positions. Working overseas, they interpret U.S. foreign policy, protect Americans, process visas, and engage in intelligence work. Knowing world and American history is important not only in succeeding in the position but also in getting it--foreign service officers must pass a rigorous exam. (B, M)

Military Service Officer or Enlistee Officers and enlisted personnel benefit from a solid understanding of U.S. and world history in their work at home and abroad. Understanding history offers a clear perspective on current military issues. (H, B, M)