What does a historian's job generally include?

History is one of my favorite subjects, and I'm thinking about pursuing it as a career. What do historians actually do in their jobs, and what should I focus on if I'm considering this path?

A historian's job is typically focused on researching, interpreting, and presenting information about the past. This can involve accessing and analyzing a range of sources, such as newspapers, letters, diaries, photographs, and government records, to piece together a narrative of past events. They commonly examine and interpret historical documents and artifacts to gain a deeper understanding of relevant events, times, and cultures.

One of their key tasks is to synthesize their research and present their findings in a compelling and informative way. This can be through writing books or articles, teaching or lecturing, and even creating exhibits in museums or historical sites. For example, a historian specializing in World War II might publish an article on the influence of codebreakers or give a guest lecture at a university.

Given the scope of their work, historians often specialize in a particular period, region, or subject matter. This could range from the history of a specific country, conflict, social movement, or even something niche like art or music history. With the rise of digital technology, the field of "digital history"—using digital media and technology for historical research—is also on the rise.

If you're considering this path, developing strong research, critical thinking, and writing skills will be crucial. A strong foundation in world history and humanities will be helpful, too. Being able to analyze primary and secondary sources for reliability and bias, synthesizing information into a clear, organized format, and effectively presenting your findings to others are all key aspects of what historians do. Generally, completing a bachelor's degree in history would be the first step, followed by a master's degree or PhD, especially if you're interested in university-level teaching or high-level research.

It's also valuable to gain experience early on. This could be through independent research projects, internships at historical societies or archives, or even volunteering at a local museum. This hands-on experience alongside your academic studies can help you to better understand the practical aspects of working as a historian and help you to explore your areas of interest.

Remember, historians not only work in academia. They also find career opportunities in museums, archives, libraries, local and federal government institutions, and even sectors like business and law that value their research and analytical skills. So there are various paths you can take with a history degree.