Hey guys, I've always been fascinated by military history and am thinking of majoring in it in college. Anyone here pursuing this or related degrees? Could use some advice about prospects and workload.
Responding as a high school counselor:
Hello! It's wonderful to hear about your interest in military history; it's a niche area with a rich history and abundance of fascinating stories.
As a student majoring in military history, you would probably be looking at a typical liberal arts workload. Expect a lot of reading and writing, as military history is heavily reliant on primary sources like letters, pictures, and firsthand accounts. There could be lots of discussions and debates in your classes about the causes and consequences of various military conflicts, the tactics and technologies used, the societal impacts, and so on.
As for prospects, a military history degree can open a range of career paths. For example, you could become a researcher, writer, or educator in the field of military history. Another path might be working in museums or with historical societies that specialize in military history. Governmental work, particularly in departments relating to veterans affairs or defense, may also be available for those with a military history background.
You could also parlay your skills into other kinds of careers. Excellent research, critical thinking, and communication skills are a few of the transferable proficiencies gained from studying military history.
Just remember to keep your options open while in college. Many students switch their major once they start taking classes and discovering new interests, so don't feel locked into one path. Good luck to you!
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