In Their Own Words

[My work requires me to] write and edit information that is distributed to internal and external audiences. My history degree trained me to carefully consider the way information is presented, to analyze the source and impact of information, and to reflect on the context and environment in which it will be received.

Lauren Reuscher 

Integrated Campuses Manager, George Mason University

History majors make good decision-makers—leaders who can perform in a variety of occupations.”

Ira O. Credle

Senior Training Specialist, US Department of the Army

Learning about the impact of human events big and small [during my years studying history at Ball State University] fueled my personal drive to become more civically engaged and to work for social impact.

Janet Arias-Martinez

Director of Community Engagement for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

Every good organization values a diversity of skills and experiences. History students are well trained to bring critical thinking and unique perspectives to their work. Highlight those attributes when applying and interviewing. Be confident that you understand and can see things others may not. You have been trained to diligently and intentionally understand complex issues, whether they are technical or human in nature. The ranks of leadership and talented individual contributors are filled with people who have a history degree. Be confident; the world needs you.

Martin Owings

Senior Software Development Manager, Merrill Corporation

I advise construction companies on the purchase and implementation of enterprise software systems. I research products and the market, and present facts and analysis in writing and in person. Often I have to make judgments using limited facts, while avoiding biases. This is not far from what I did as a history major writing term papers!

Towner Blackstock

Principal, Blackstock Consulting 

History teaches us to look at a situation from all perspectives, and as a business analyst that is what I do every day to solve problems and arrive at the best possible solution.

Amy Venuto

Consultant, Slalom

I use the critical thinking and writing skills I developed as a history major every single day. [The skills I honed at Berry College] are put to good use when it’s time to conduct prospect research on potential donors.

Jessica Cantrell

Development Assistant, Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, Georgia

This may seem like a rather simple note, but I can attribute some of my conversational skills to my history education. I think when you learn the history of the world you have a much better understanding and knowledge of different people's cultures. In this day and age when you are exposed to such a diverse audience of people it is definitely in your favor to know about a broad spectrum of culture. Understanding the importance of acknowledging-and being very interested in-culture is something I have found to be very useful. The art of conversation as well as storytelling is an essential skill set for a career in sales.

Dana Follis Huffman

Eastern Regional Vice President, Paycom

Studying history helped me to develop a process, a framework through which to understand people and places that are vastly different from myself and my daily experience. It enhanced my ability to communicate with and understand others, as well as take responsibility for my own role in my community.

Katherine Greenberg

Assistant Commissioner, New York City Commission on Human Rights

[My history major is responsible for] developing my critical thinking skills, which proved to be useful in my job performing tax research that requires the understanding of the facts and circumstances and analyzing those with the tax laws and regulations.

Benjamin Tsai

Senior Tax Analyst, University of California

My sense of what it means to be a citizen of this country, how to navigate our political discourse, and what actions are required to be a responsible citizen have been almost entirely shaped by my majoring in history... the questions that make life worth living [are posed in history courses; they] keep me pacing during the day and keep me up at night.

Jayson Myers

Retirement Specialist at Nationwide

I grew up in a village of 500 people in Delaware in the 1950s, and attended a segregated elementary school. I was curious about the social dynamics of this small place-how various social distinctions came to be and what they meant for the people who lived there. Eventually I realized that the best way to answer those questions was to study American history.

Jacqueline Jones

Professor of Southern History, University of Texas at Austin