Careers
Careers for History Majors
What do history majors do after College Graduation?
Although the benefits of historical study are not primarily career oriented, parents and students are correctly concerned about the relationship of a college degree to future careers. Placement Records and correspondence with our graduates over the past ten years demonstrate that their rate of success in pursuing rewarding careers is outstanding.
Executive Training For Business Positions
Students with liberal arts degrees in history find many types of positions in industry and business. Often, employers look for students with a broad background and then train them for a variety of business responsibilities. Former Bradley history majors work with companies such as: General Electric, Lockheed Aircraft, Sears, Pitney Bowes, Hunt-Wesson, General Foods, Charles Ruppman Advertising, E. F. Hutton, Springfield Power Company and H. E. Blumental (Chicago). The largest percentage of our graduates pursue business careers. One faculty member, who came to Bradley from Harvard University and a successful business career with the J. Walter Thomson Co., holds a joint professorship in History and Business Administration.
Public Administration & Hospital Administration
Most careers in public or hospital administration require study beyond the bachelors degree. Many graduates in History are among those who pursue study in Graduate Schools of Public Administration, Business Administration, and Hospital Administration. Recent History graduates have successfully), completed programs at Northwestern University, Xavier University (Cincinnati), University of' Minnesota, Central Michigan, DePaul and Fordham.
Communications
Writing and discussion skills required of all History majors prepare them for positions in the various media of communications. Research and editorial positions with publishers and news magazines have been secured by our students. Recent graduates include the Sports Editor of the Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune, and the Advertising Editor of Essence magazine.
Archival & Museum Work
An area which is increasing in job opportunity is archival and museum work. History majors are qualified to work in the National Archives, Museums of Natural History, and Presidential Libraries. Often graduate training is necessary for advancement in these jobs. Again, history majors are well prepared for such work. Recent Bradley graduates have obtained positions at the Smithsonian Institution and the Connecticut Historical Society.
Library Science
Professional librarians are in demand in industry and the government, as well as in universities. To qualify, graduate work is required after obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree. Undergraduate training in history is highly recommended as preparation for schools of library science. Recent history majors have graduated from library schools at the University of Illinois at Urbana and Northern Illinois University.
Insurance
Each year insurance companies seek interested and qualified college graduates to enter training as insurance salespersons, adjustors, underwriters and agents. Bradley graduates have joined such companies as Equitable, Aetna, Prudential and Continental.
Law
Legal careers require three years of study after a student earns a bachelor's degree. History is a valuable area of study for pre-law students. Our students attend or have graduated from Law Schools such as: Stanford, Northwestern, Northeastern (Boston), Georgetown U., U. of Illinois, Washington U. (St, Louis), University of Chicago, Michigan, and Howard University.
Government Positions & Foreign Service
A graduate in History can apply for a great variety of positions in local, state and federal government. These may be in almost any type of executive training for public administration. Foreign Service or Civil Service examinations are usually required for admission to these openings, exams which liberal arts majors in history are well qualified to pass. Our graduates are working for the U.S. Department of Health and Welfare; Westchester County (N.Y.); State of Illinois; Department of Public Service; Foreign Service (U.S. State Department).
Note: Seniors at Bradley may apply to work as an intern for the Illinois Department for Public Aid. Students interested in State or Local Government work may earn both credit and money for this work experience.
Teaching Opportunities
Each year there are usually a variety of openings in history or social studies, especially in smaller high schools, junior high schools and parochial schools.
Although recent graduates have been able to find positions in grades 6 through 12, we generally advise students to prepare to seek additional career opportunities even though they prefer to teach and earn credits for a teaching certificate. Teaching opportunities on the college level are less available than on the secondary level. Students in History who are highly competent can obtain a Ph.D. in History, but must be aware of the tight job market. Combining Ph.D. work in History with advanced study in library, archival or government work is usually advisable.
Recent History majors have found teaching positions at schools such as Illinois Valley Central, St. Elizabeth's Academy (St. Louis), Woodruff (Peoria), Pineola (California), Notre Dame High School (Peoria) and Peoria Heights, and at numerous Junior High Schools.