Majoring in History: Yay or Nay?

I got talked out of majoring in history because of the job thing and I regret doing that. If there was a chance of getting a job in the field, no matter how great or small, it went to zero when I didn't major in it. There's a good chance you're going to get a job not directly related to your major anyway. One of my sons did major in history. He's got a decent job in the private sector unrelated to history other than using the writing and analytical skills, etc., that he developed getting the major.

I’m curious. Wouldn’t earning a doctorate in Theology make you an excellent candidate for pope? You could graduate and immediately have a full time job as a cardinal. I thought it would be like going to one of the military academies. Unless you’re a complete screw up they have to take you.

I graduated with a history major. Since I make over 6 figures.

History is very interesting and most importantly, teaches you how to really write. That alone is worth the degree.

"History, Stephen said, is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake" - ponder over the meaning of this quote for a while and then decide if it's something that you want to study.

At the very least you could start a contrarian twitter account and launch a podcast and that could payoff. It would be a great thing to study if you want to want to be a writer or do something creative.

I think that a good understanding of history is an excellent thing to have. An understanding of history requires a great understanding of philosophy, science, and literature as well, if you think those interest you as well then it would probably be a good idea.

College is a waste of time and money. Too expensive, not enough of a return on your investment. Teach yourself tech for free online... Unless you have a full ride to NAU or BYU.

I was thinking of doing a PHD in WW2 or something someday. I'm addicted to the Eastern Front especially

At most schools, history as a major is few enough credits to be able to double major in something else as well. That will give you the most options for law school or a different career path. Just use your electives towards either of two majors. It will also strengthen your resume or grad school applications.

I actually returned to school to study History and will be graduating next year. I work during the day in IT for the Superior Court here in NJ. Many of the judges, public defenders, and prosecutors I come in contact with are History Majors and have fine careers.

There are also other avenues like finance which History majors get involved with outside of academia and law. If you are into finance and watch some of the cable networks, Mike Santoli, from CNBC is a history major and so is Scarlet Fu from Bloomberg TV. Find out what you would like to do and what steps you need to take to get where you want to be. History is a fine major and will serve you well. Newt Gingrich (Not the best example) majored in history, Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor and president-elect Joe Biden studied History even though he can't seem to remember anything :) (Just a joke).

Thank you all. So far the responses have been super helpful!! (I'm OP btw)

Why bother. If climate change is going to make us all extinct in 10, 20, ..40 years, you'd be more useful if you studied ways to deal with social engineering.

At one point in time probably. Now, absolutely not.

Not a joke and not funny.

I have a degree in history. I'm well over $100k in salary at this point working in IT.

What I've learned is that its tough to do your best in class if your heart isn't in it. So if you love history you should do it. You will find a job

Is a joke and is funny

Colby wrote:

Agingrunner wrote:

Not a joke and not funny.

Is a joke and is funny

Is a cheap shot, not a joke, on someone with a stammering issue since childhood. Also, sometimes it's hard to dumb down what you need to say in order to get through to the idiots who voted for Trump.

No its a joke, No one made fun of his stammering but his forgetfulness and just for the record I'm not a trump supporter snowflake :)

I started a law career after being a musician. Pretty much anyone who can read a lot, write well and who has good interpersonal skills can be a decent lawyer. Liberal arts majors do tend to do well in law school because they are used to doing a lot of reading and can distill large amounts of information into manageable portions. They also do well in the post-graduate big law market and clerkship world because they are used to writing big papers. Most of your value just out of law school is in your ability to research and write. But beyond that, the liberal arts majors are a dime a dozen. The ones who really break free from the crowd are those who have undergrad exposure to either finance/business or science and even a few years working in a specific industry. Your ability to understand your client's business or the highly specialized aspect of your area of legal expertise is what will set you apart in the law.

Outside of the law, a history degree will help you get a good shift at the coffee shop and that is about it. Academia is a basket case. The line for professor gigs is long and politics are awful. Teaching HS or MS can be rewarding, but it is exhausting and pay is dismal.

I majored in History. Best move i ever made. Went on to teach and then to an administrative position. Retired at 60.