Every time I tell someone I’m a history major, they always respond with “Oh, so you want to be a teacher.” Not even asking it as a question but more of a statement. It’s super annoying and a little disheartening that people think that history is so useless that you are limited to only one job. (Nothing against teachers or people who want to be teachers though, I have immense respect for you!)
Teaching is a noble profession and I hope to be a professor along with being a lawyer and business owner. There are so many skills one acquires as a history student and I hope that this video helps some people recognize that in some way
i thought this is only in my country im from algeria and i study history and this is exactly what people say to me whenever i tell them that i study history ..they will be like : this is so useleee and waste of time although my country has a big beautiful history ❤
Katherine Crivello of course! I strongly believe that every field has its strengths and teaches you important skills which can be applicable in the professional world in a variety of ways
TheRedHeadAcademic what jobs does it lead to exactly, what are the job rate growths , the number of positions available, starting salaries and mid salaries and what level of education to get them I.e( masters) or what ???
Amirahh Mukhtarxx you gain the skills for many entry level administrative, sales, marketing, research, etc. positions. I worked in medical device regulatory consulting and had no medical knowledge or background. Starting salary was 50k a year with the ability to advance in the company. History is a versatile discipline which provides the skills necessary to succeed in many fields outside of academia, education or law
TheRedHeadAcademic so basically I’m trying to weigh my options, and I don’t exactly understand what specific skills history gives you , for administration, I could do business administration and for the medical field, I could do medicine and other skills like analytical and going through extensive data could be picked up from fairly all other degrees. Also is the predicted job rate growth high and are the number of jobs available that specifically require history, high.
@@amirahhmukhtarxx7129 well still the skill are useful but if you want you can double in history major and something like business that way you can gain the skills the history major teaches while majoring in something more predictably useful
Thank you for this! I also have my B.A in History and I'm going for my Masters to study Soviet/US relations during the Cold War. I hate it so much when I tell people I'm a history major and the first question is always "how are you going to make any money?" I always tell them it's not about the money and more about the passion. History to me has opened more doors to other careers I would have never know about unless I chose this major. My dream job is to become an archivist for the Smithsonian in Washington D.C!
I really love history, I love reading history books and watching history movies/documentories. But when I imagine I am asked to do assignments of topics not of my interest and have to meet deadlines, I am afraid of choosing history as my major. So that is why I only treat history as my personal interest, not linking it to my career. I still have highest respect to people who study and work in history field!
Thats the same way I felt for a while. I am a senior in highschool right now and I am going to binghamton university for History. I am scared for the amount of reading and the papers but I told myself that that is what all majors have to go through.
As someone with a history undergrad degree, I'm so glad you mentioned that we study more than just dates and names. History without studying context isn't history.
I'm a 1st year history major in France, and as someone coming from Indonesia, some of my family members discouraged me from taking it, since careers are limited. But in the end I decided to become a history student, and I hope that I can be able to become a historian and an author. When people come to me and say that history is easy, I just smile but like deep down I know that history can be really challenging, especially studying it in a foreign language (my courses are all in French). I would love to specialise in the history of Modern International Relations, specialising in Europe and Asia (1700-1945). I hope that I can reach my goals, and I hope I can make it far as a historian :) I just wish people knew about the beauty of history and the intricacies of it!
@@historyboy08How did you do that? Money is not my issue, my retirement from the military will supplement income I want to teach highschool kids, I want to change lives, be a good role model. Do you think that’s feasible or am I weird?
I loved hearing about your journey on becoming a history major! a lot of people assume all history majors started as history buffs. my experience is similar to yours. I took a history class in community college that changed my worldview completely. that’s why I am now pursuing it for my bachelor’s degree :)
I loved history in high school and grew up around it with my mom being really into learning about the Civil War and visiting historical sites. I've been out of high school for three years and I'm hoping to someday go back to school and get my history degree and become a historian. I tried to looking into going to college during my senior year (i was planning on taking a year off before going straight into college), but my casemanager and the team on my case load (I had an IEP and was in special education) never took me seriously. Any time they brought up what I was gonna do in the future it always came back to doing something tech related (because I took a lot of tech classes) and when I would say or history (when they brought it up) they would kinda of ignore me or say that I should do tech because I've taken so many classes on it! This video really helped me understand what studying history is like in college so thank you.
(Yes I know I am VERY late) As a HS Sophomore who is considering History as a major because I am genuinely interested about history, I found the discussions about patterns, comparisons, and human behavior genuinely fascinating. Thank you so much for the information.
Some of my favourite classes during my history degree have been classes like The Study of History and Theory of History that discuss the meta narrative of historical practice rather than historical content itself. Basically just how history is conducted in practice. They've been so crucial to how I go about my writing, topics, how I go about historical discussions and perspectives.
I remember that 4 years ago I couldn't find someone from history field to vlog to be my inspiration :D ... and now when I am finishing my master's degree in modern history at Masaryk university in Czech I see so many people talking about this :) ... I also hear after 5 years of studying history these assumptions, like you will be a teacher? no way, but as a backup I am also studying master's for high school history teacher, just in case... but I really want to be museum educator, making exhibitions and also do reasearch, maybe at some point do the PhD... but I feel the difference, here in Europe mainly Slovakia and Czech the are so focused on IT field and are really rude about humanities ... also classes are a little different (not so many options in classes as you can have in US). But I know I can study the history even by myself, cause I have the skills and critical thinking from uni now :) So maybe one day I will read some of your papers and maybe you mine :D
Thank you very much for this insightful video! I'm an incoming sophomore at the University of the Philippines, taking up BA History and this inspired me a lot. Will definitely watch out for more of your videos. Rooting for you and hoping you get a wider audience soon! Your videos are worthwhile ❤️
Awesome video! I got my B.A. in history and poli sci from my local university in Louisiana. I'm very appreciative that you mentioned careers are not narrowed down to just teacher and researcher. I'm 25 now and honestly going to get my teaching certification but with just about anything I do a lot of skills I learned in college have helped me tremendously.
This video was great!! I’m currently a History Education Major at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. At least with how my degree is set up. For upper level classes you take a certain amount of US Histories, European Histories, and Non-Western Histories. Then one has to be a research seminar. Since it is an education degree I also have education classes, student teaching at the end, as well as a few social studies classes in geography and political science.
I'm in high school and really confused about what I want to do, but I know it's within the humanities. I tend to not feel that firey passion that so many people talk about when writing and everything, and it makes me sad. I know I love doing it and writing poetry, but I've discovered a love for history as well. Incorporating those skills would be interesting, and this video really helps me understand the major more and feel intrigued by it. Thank you for all the effort you put into it!
Passion is sooo overrated. I am a writer too, fiction novels, and I ended up going with history and for me personally it was the best decision i could've made so its not a bad idea. if you like storytelling and story in general, history offers so much of that and ends up being more philosophical at times than you'd expect. It also gives you a chance to study things that are as niche/as broad as you want. your job could look insanely different just from picking a different branch in history which is always a plus if you want doors to remain open.
Your videos have been so helpful as I prepare for grad school. I just got accepted into a dual MA History and MS Information Science program to start in the Spring. I'm going to be an academic librarian and hopefully will get to continue working with Korean history. Thank you for all the great advice! :)
Thank you for being so thorough, I've been considering changing my major to history I really like history and I wanted to take it before and didn't believe that it will lead to a successful career in life if it didn't have to do with academia.
I would also recommend the book The Jefferson-Hemings Controversy ed. Robert Turner that puts forth a persuasive case countering Annette Gordon Reed’s book.
Are we the same person?? In cc right now, started with Business/entrepreneurship. Read a book about Abraham Lincoln as a historical figure, changes my views on everything. Now I’m watching videos wondering if I should switch the major. I love it
Another very insightful vlog - thank you. Your journey is fascinating and will be very inspiring to many people. I always enjoy hearing about your field of study as it’s so different to mine. Totally agree that learning how to market yourself is key. 💖
Ahh thank you so much for this video! I just found your channel and I've been contemplating switching my major from Education to Ancient History/Archaeology and this was super informative!
Thank you so much for your video ❤ I have been a nurse for almost 10 years. During the pandemic, I started a youtube channel about my trips around the world and I always mix a little bit of history about the country or the city I visited. I have always loved history and I realized that its a passion. I want to quit nursing to study history but I wasn't sure of the decision .Thanks to you I will follow my passion 😉🤗❤
I was considering changing my major to history before I start community college and was thinking of transferring to FSU once I finish my two years this video has helped tremendously.
I wish I saw this video last year. I'm about to graduate undergrad with my BA in history with European Concentration, mostly medieval history, and a minor in Geography. I am glad someone made this video because I feel like I have to say all of these points to all of my non-history friends and family.
Thank you for this! I see so many comments saying the same things ive been told about having to be a teacher, or that I won't find a job. Im in my senior year right now for my bachelors. I had become very disheartened and questioned if I should switch. I feel better now and definitely want to get my masters. 😊
found this video insightful. I was originally an undergrad for engineering and needed one more class to gradutate with my associates before transffering to a four year. I realized, I didn't love the idea of being an engineer after a breakdown over calc 2. I was insecure to switch my major to history since many think it's straight down the teaching route, but watching several videos including yours brought my confidence up to pursue what I actually love since middle school and not confirm with the standards of others.
Hey Man, were in a similar boat, i also fell for the STEM degree no matter what. Ive chosen bioinformatics as my major, im decent at maths but for example fucking hate chemistry and CS which were also included in the program. I've always Been one of the best / the best student in history in my classes my whole life, i have great memorization skills so i think its a good choice. I dont really wanna be a teacher or strictly academic oriented, but i'm gonna do it for critical thinking and analytical skills, ive done my research and so many people say that a history degree can literally Get you into any kind of job, etc, even the OP commented that she worked as a researcher for some medical device company...
I hated history class throughout most of school. Like you, I hated the format and I just didn’t do well in that class. Until a schedule conflict in junior year of high school landed me in a history class. I wasn’t pleased at first, however that class quickly and completely changed what I wanted from my career path. Currently a history major in the making :)
Loved this! I am also a redhead that takes interest in TJ as a historical figure haha. Im a political science major and just declared a second major in history! love your channel so much :)
I love that I found this channel! I just subscribed - I'm hesitant and nervous but I might major in an undergraduate in history. I've found it to be so fascinating and kinda "Fell down the Rabbit Hole" in a similar way that you did :)
I like that you pointed out that the idea of written history is very eurocentric!! Also when you mentioned archaeology I was like "yaaaass" 😂 I was a little surprised to hear how similar the thinking and methods are between history and sociocultural anthro, it makes sense I had just never thought about it that way! Thank you for explaining your field of study, I learned something new!
The Vintage Academic Aw I’m so glad you got so much out of it 🥰 it’s interesting when historians discuss material history and my mind goes straight to thinking of archeological methods
@@KaelynGraceApple which I find interesting because a large part of archaeology is ethnohistoric accounts from cultures that use oral histories in order to provide perspective on the material culture, or maybe even to assist archaeologists locate sites! Archaeology and history are both about understanding humans and I love how much they cross over!
History is not an easy major. As a history major you will do LOTS of reading and writing. Of course, some professors are more difficult than others, but some will work you ragged as a history student. If you want easy become a physEd major.
I literally hate my history professor and he probably hates me I don’t know what I’m doing in that class I can’t balance it with my engineering classes please help me what am I doing wrong
thank you for all these videos! I have currently been binging your content, and it has really fed my curiosity and imagination regarding my goals. I am currently an incoming freshman at a university in California, and would like to go in a similar path you are in with the Oxford and legal degree stuff. Any recommendations, advice, etc. on how to get into oxford, maintain success in the field, and how to find a subject in history/political science/law/the humanities that remains feasible?
I have a question Can I become a history teacher or historian if I study International Relations? I love History so much but in my city there are no history degrees to study, only Bachelor of IR and I think this might be related to History Thanks in advance
I’m so stuck on deciding my major! I enjoy history and learning but honestly wasn’t that great at it and I feel like there is so much “common” history I’m not even educated in. I would love to teach but not sure if I have the patience to get my PhD.
@@joshuadiaz4480 omg I love forensics! I was obsessed with memorizing all of the humans bones for a while lol! I think I'm mostly interested in Central American archaeology and cultural resources management, but I"m still figuring it out. What made you interested in forensics??
@@joshuadiaz4480 ooof that sounds hard! I've learned a liiiitle bit about that while working in the field since archaeologists should know how to discern between human and animal bones but I've never done anything that intense, so... respect lol! I love your reason by the way, my mom and I used to watch Bones ALL the time together haha! Are you working in the field yet? If not, what do you want to do when you're done with school?
What's frustrating is I'm not good at History. It's interesting but I just can't ever get an A in a History class. I try really hard and I can't do the tests very well which is odd because I know that I can't comprehend very well and I'm not great at reading either comprehension-wise. I'm great at math though but History hasn't been my thing for sone reason but I'm trying to get great at it. This video does help me. I did come from a bad school in Tennessee though and my US History teacher was just Ughh. American Government was easy though. US History however gave me trouble. I'm just glad it wasn't on the ACT because I would've flunked it had it been on the standardized tests. Reading is similar to it and is my lowest but I've practiced it a bit so it's at around a 29 or so. I'm just trying to find out all my weaknesses in what all is left.
Hi Kaelyn! I am currently applying to a MSt in Intellectual History at Oxford and i found your channel, it is awesome. I don’t know if you check comments on these older videos but I wanted to know if you had any videos, or advice on finding funding for a masters at some place like Oxford.
I have liked history since 5th grade memorized every state and capital and I just love history so much and I am really considering getting a history degree.
History has always been my favorite subject i always got good grades studied subjects at home on my own my favorite books are historical fiction and im debating weather or not to center my life around this but im just concerned about the work field and options thanks for clearing this up
I really am at cross roads for my future plans: i always thought i wanted to do something in the med field but i recently realised that i dont enjoy the things that we’re doing now that are med-related. Im pretty attracted to history and english. Is there anything i can do to combine those two?
Hey I was in the same Situation I’m a freshman as well and I was a bio major studying premed track but then I had the same thinking as you and made the switch to history major in high school I loved history and took ap us history& ap us government and politics so it’s was my fall back I start next semester my new classes because with a history major you can have a lot of free electives to help out with my credits but besides that I will have my history classes if you like storytelling and studying patterns as she mentions in her video then history major is great
I really enjoyed your video! I have a question for you, on which countries of Europe can people that have studied history work?? Because in Spain is very difficult to find a job as a historian. Thanks!
I am a History Major It is a little difficult When Studying History at College. I am Studying History to be a Teacher But The True is It's Hard. I have to read Which I did Now I got a 50 Because of Plagiarism on Essays And Some Bad Grades on Tests
anyone have ideas for careers that actually deal with history? like I know you can major in history and then go into business or something, but I want a job that actually deals directly with history. ideas????
Museums, academia, non-profits or public sector organizations such as the national endowment for the humanities, archival researcher/organizer, librarian, etc
I have my BA in American History that I got 5 years ago. I since went back to school to pursue nursing and am currently working full-time as a Registered Nurse. I've always loved history and always wanted to get back into the field as a historian but don't know how. I know it would eventually require me going back to school for my Masters which right now isn't an option. Any ideas or tips for me?
Hello, brief disclaimer I have no experience in working as a historian etc. so take this with a pinch of salt, but if you have the time you could volunteer at your local museum and try to get whatever hands on experience you can. I've seen other people give this advice for the art history field which is slightly different but still related. Saw you had no replies so just wanted to share in case it helps!
How do you go about making connections and creating professional but meaningful relationships with professors at larger universities? I know at community college, at least for me, it is easier because it's a smaller institution but I can't imagine it being as easy at a university such as UCLA, Oxford, or Yale, which I'm applying to for this upcoming fall.
Honestly it’s really not all that different. I just made a point of going to office hours, studying in the department, and attending public lectures where they might be in attendance ♥️ professors want to work with students who are passionate and who ask questions about their favorite subject 🥰
I have a Masters in American History. I am so glad I followed my passion. I also started a RU-vid channel called “Walk with History” check it out and tell me what you think!! Good luck with your studies.
Can you make a video on what to do after high school if u want to pursue history as a major? I’m so lost and I am a senior in highschool and I am trying to find a good college that isn’t pricey but offers a lot in the field of history😫
My mom doesn't approve of me taking history in college. I am going to Canada for college what do u think? if I can do a double major in some other subject would that increase my job opportunities? I love the humanities field and I would like to study that in college.
I am actually doing engineering and this is my 2nd semester in college but i am trying to transfer to another college and start doing history before getting into a law school
@@KaelynGraceApple Thank you! I just watched your other video on transferring to UCLA. Can you do another video on the classes you took and share your study abroad experience? I will greatly appreciate it.
Absolutely agreed, however, as I’ve said in other videos, I wasn’t prepared to apply to competitive PhD programs out of undergrad and I definitely wouldn’t have gotten into a school like YALE had I not gained additional research/written experience in my masters
@@KaelynGraceApple will any of your for your masters go to your PHD? I’m close to finishing undergraduate for history, but highly doubt I’m ready to do PHD work, but a masters seems like nothing compared to a PHD
"I totally did a European history class one time, sooooo not my thing. It didn't interest me. Ya'know, the study of the primordial essence of my actual Ancestors and how their actions and cultures translate to ME as a person of European descent in the modern day. Soooooo boring. BUT THESE GHANAIANS THO!! THESE CAMBODIANS!" Congratulations, you just ended racism.
I’m not just of European descent... and I believe that the study of all cultures, traditions, governmental structures is important to our education as responsible human beings. My research topic has nothing to do with my own ancestral curiosity but a curiosity for the study of human kind
