MediaevalLore

I'm thinking of a career in history. I want it to be more than just a hobby. But the only think I can think of to do with it would be teach. And, unfortunately, that's not something I want to do. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I'm open to anything. Thank you in advance for the help.

Commander

There are several people here who work with history on this forum. Quite a few teachers and professors.

You can work in a museum and do research. Archaeology and Anthropology are a couple more option. Law is another field you can get into. You could be a writer.

Breth

I wanna go into Archaeology, though one of my cousins works at the Smithsonian.

Lord_Cronus

Like Commander said, doing research or maybe working for a museum are definately options. I'm planning to pursue a career myself hopfully starting this spring. My American History professor told me that when I transfered to a university, I'd have to decide wheater to teach or not. While I would like to teach, I think I'll save that for the latter part of my career. I've also been told that teachers with a Ph.D. start out at $90,000. So it is worth looking in to.

Vir0n

The American Historical Association has useful information regarding all aspects of interest to the professional historian including career choices.

One of the unfortunate reasons I decided not to pursue a career in history was money. I'm not an expert, but I think $90K is a bit optimistic for an academic historian. From what I have read this is what a department head might expect, but an assistant professor is going to get about half as much. Graph below lists average salaries which have not changed much in 3 years.



Money certainly isn't everything, and in many ways I wish I would have realized that when I was 19 years old.

Lord_Cronus

I spoke with a woman whose husband is is about to recieve his doctorite and begin teaching at NC State. She said he'll be making $90k. I've also spoken with other people who have told me teaching at universities make a damn good living. That's what I want. I want to finacially secure and be able to do the things that I've always wanted to do. I was going to be a mechanic, but I think it was a mistake for me to ever pursue that. Now I'm going back to my true love, history. And it will take me a whole lot further than working in a shop ever would.

Breth

I think it depends on area too. In North Carolina, you have Indians, Civil War, Early Settlements/Colonies, and alot of region specific culture.

Fort Bragg would probally pay good for its people, and yes they have archaeologist, anthropolgist, and architecural historians (dunno name)

Vir0n

I think your goal is great. I wasn't trying to argue or be discouraging in any way. I was just regurgitating objective information regarding average salaries. It is my belief that people should pursue whatever occupation they find personally fulfilling. In my case I obtained a terminal degree in something that I can take pride in, but I sometimes regret not pursuing an academic career in history. Of course, you know what they say about the grass being greener....

Here are more average salary figures (again, don't kill the messanger)

Lord_Cronus

I didn't mean for my post to be a bashing of your previous, I was merely stating that this is what I have been told by those who have been there. As Breth stated there is a lot of specifics to NC, there is A LOT of history in this state and I mean A LOT. Plus NC State is one of the best universities to attend if you plan to study history. It's only natural that the professors be paid more. I'm pretty sure when I transfer, that's where I'll be going, lest I go to Campbell and have to get bukoo grants and scholarships to pay tuition. Sorry if I came over a bit harshly.

Vir0n

No worries.