History Careers
Find out what careers you can achieve with a History degree from MBU, and how you can get there!
History Careers
These are just some of the many careers a History BA can prepare you for. Select a career to learn about the job, average salary, employment outlook, required education level, and more.
History & Cultural Heritage
Business & Law
Use the resources below to find more career profiles on these and hundreds of other jobs you could achieve with a History BA.
Career Spotlights
Historian
Research, interpret, and share information from the past using historical documents and sources.
Education: Master’s degree
Workplaces: Museums, archives, historical societies, research and educational institutions
Median Pay: $74,050
Job Outlook: 2% (slower than average)
Archivist
Process, catalog, and preserve historical records and documents.
Education: Master’s degree
Workplaces: Museums, archives, historical societies, libraries, and research institutions
Median Pay: $64,550
Job Outlook: 3% (average)
Librarian
Help people find information and conduct research for personal, professional, or academic use.
Education: Master’s degree
Workplaces: Libraries, elementary and secondary schools, colleges, government agencies, information services organizations
Median Pay: $64,320
Job Outlook: 2% (slower than average)
MBU Alumni Employers
History majors are commonly employed by libraries, museums, educational institutions, federal agencies, historical societies, and corporations across industries.
Organizations that have hired our alumni include:
- AMC Networks
- AmPhil
- ASM Research
- Augusta County Public Schools
- Blue Ridge Care
- BVO Luxury Group at Keller Williams
- C. Hintz & Co., LLC
- Chesterfield County Public Schools
- Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia
- Glasser and Glasser, PLC
- Henrico County Public Schools
- Navy Federal Credit Union
- Newport News Public Schools
- Novogradac & Company LLP
- Trillium Health Resources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- U.S. Soccer Federation
- Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library
- Zonda
What’s your path?
MBU offers dozens of complementary minors, majors, clubs and more to enhance your study of History and put you on the right path to your dream career.
Consider pairing your History major with…
A minor in:
- African American Studies
- Art
- History
- Creative Writing
- Education
- Religious Studies
- Sociology & Anthropology
- Spanish Language & Hispanic Cultures
- Studio Art
- Theatre
A double-major in:
- English
- Elementary Education
- Psychology
- Theatre
Build one of these Skill Stacks to gain an edge in the job market:
- Communication
- Inclusivity
- Collaboration
- Data fluency
- Creativity
Join one of these MBU clubs or professional organizations for connection and networking:
- Baldwin Program Board
- Student Senate
- American Historical Association
- Institute of Public History
- Virginia Association of Museums
- Virginia Historical Society
- Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society
Consider pairing your History major with…
A minor in:
- Business
- Communication
- Criminal Justice
- Human Resources Management
- Leadership Studies
- Management
- Marketing
- Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution
A double-major in:
Build one of these Skill Stacks and gain an edge in the job market:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Inclusivity
- Collaboration
- Data fluency
Join one of these MBU clubs for connection and networking:
- Criminal Justice & Leadership Club
- Baldwin Program Board
- Student Senate
- American Historical Association
- Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society
Consider pairing your History major with:
A minor in:
- African American Studies
- Communication
- Education
- Homeland Security
- Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Sociology & Anthropology
- Spanish Language & Hispanic Cultures
A double-major in:
Build one of these Skill Stacks and gain an edge in the job market:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Inclusivity
- Collaboration
- Leadership
Join one of these MBU clubs for connection and networking:
- Criminal Justice & Leadership Club
- Sociology Club
- Baldwin Program Board
- Student Senate
- American Historical Association
- Institute of Public History
- Virginia Historical Society
- Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society
Explore Internships
No matter your major, an internship is a chance to explore your interests, build real-world skills, and give you a real competitive edge in the job market. The McCree Center for Career Success can help find the right opportunity for you.
Planning for Graduate School
If you’re considering graduate school in History or a career requiring an advanced degree, start exploring programs early. Requirements vary, but most include transcripts, recommendations, and personal statements. Research programs early to understand expectations and plan ahead.
Graduate study can be especially important for students interested in careers such as historian, archivist, librarian, professor, curator, or other specialized research and cultural heritage roles.
Depending on your goals, you may need a master’s degree, doctoral degree, or specialized graduate training.
Students interested in law, education, public policy, or other professional fields should also identify their intended programs early so they can complete any required coursework and experiences.
Some programs require entrance exams such as the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations), LSAT (Law School Admission Test), or field-specific tests. Preparation can take weeks or months, so check requirements early to give yourself time to study and practice.
See what graduate programs Mary Baldwin has to offer!
McCree Center for Career Success
The McCree Center for Career Success helps students connect their education to their future careers. Services include:
- Career exploration and planning
- Resume and cover letter support
- Interview preparation
- Internship and job searches
- Networking and professional development
- Graduate school preparation
Visit us to learn more!
