Studying history provides research skills, interpretation of information, and long-term trends in societies. Although it is commonly believed that studying history can only help one become a teacher or an academic worker, alternative career options exist.
The different branches of history, including political, cultural, economic, and social, can lead to opportunities in content production, policymaking, heritage management, and others. These roles are diverse, ranging from digital content creators to corporate advisory services on historical trends, archaeological research, and policy formulation, and are all related closely to history.
Why Choose a Career in History After 12th?
History helps us understand human behaviour, cultures, and societies. This information is useful in most contemporary workplaces. Here are reasons why studying history can be a great career move:
- Develops Essential Skills: By studying history, you build important skills, such as research, analysis, writing, and critical thinking. Employers in various fields, including publishing, education, government, heritage and museums sector, and media, seek these proficiencies.
- Builds Cultural Awareness: History students who have studied comparative or cultural history usually develop awareness of cultures, traditions, and social processes. This intercultural knowledge is useful in the present globalised society, where organisations are in need of professionals who are able to work effectively within cultural differences.
- Provides Context for Current Events: Having knowledge of history provides context for understanding ongoing developments and helps interpret patterns or underlying causes behind them. This perspective is useful in policymaking, journalism, and business strategy.
- Opens Diverse Career Paths: A degree in history, unlike most specialised degrees, offers you a wide base that can enable you to pursue a career in different areas, some of which include government, media, business, education, and technology.
Traditional Career as Historian
Being a historian is often the most evident career among all history majors careers. Historians research, analyse, and write about past events. They are employed at universities, museums, libraries, and research institutions. Generally, a master’s or doctoral degree in history is required to become a historian.
What historians do:
- Investigate the past and people
- Write history books, journal articles, and research papers
- Give lectures and presentations
- Conserve historical documents and objects
Historians in India can expect to earn between ₹3 and ₹12 annually, depending on the position, academic qualifications, and experience.
Modern History Degree Jobs
The job market has changed, and this has presented new job openings to history graduates. Here are several best careers for history lovers who want to combine their passion with modern technology and media:
1. Digital Content Creator
There are history enthusiasts who are turning into YouTubers, podcasters, and social media content producers. They post historical tales in captivating videos and posts. It is a discipline that involves both creativity and history.
- Skills needed: Video editing, social media marketing, storytelling
2. Museum Technology Specialist
Museums have adopted virtual reality, touch screens, and digital databases. History graduates assist museums in developing immersive experiences.
- Skills needed: Basic programming, multimedia design, project management
3. Cultural Tourism Guide
There has been a stable growth in heritage tourism, making trained tour guides with a good command of historical tales highly in demand. This career combines travel, history, and people skills.
- Skills needed: Communication, foreign languages, hospitality
History Major Careers in Media and Entertainment
4. Historical Consultant for Films and TV
Movies and web series need experts to ensure historical accuracy. Consultants help directors, writers, and production teams create authentic period pieces.
- Skills needed: Research, attention to detail, communication
5. Documentary Filmmaker
Creating documentaries about historical events, people, or cultures is another increasingly popular option. This career combines storytelling with historical research.
- Skills needed: Video production, scriptwriting, research
Jobs You Can Get With a History Degree in Government
6. Civil Services
Civil service exams like the UPSC include subjects such as history, polity, and current affairs, areas that history students are already familiar with. Their background helps them understand the syllabus better, especially in the general studies papers and optional subjects.
- Positions: IAS, IPS, IFS, and other central and state government jobs
7. Archaeological Survey Officer
The Archaeological Survey of India regularly recruits history graduates for preservation and research work at historical sites.
- Skills needed: Field work, documentation, conservation knowledge
Highest Paying Jobs With a History Degree
8. Corporate Historian
Large companies hire historians because they apply specialised research methods to accurately document the company’s history, verifying facts and placing events in proper context. This expertise ensures that brand stories are well-founded and credible, preserving the company’s legacy with historical accuracy.
- Average pay: ₹1,301,658 per year
9. Policy Analyst
Government agencies and international organisations need analysts who understand historical context to inform policy-making. Expertise in specific fields of history, like economic or political history, is particularly valuable for analyzing long-term trends and their implications. For example, a policy analyst might use historical data to assess the long-term impact of social programs or trade agreements.
- Average pay: ₹849,000 per year
10. Legal Research Assistant
Law firms value history graduates for their research and analytical skills, especially for cases involving property disputes or constitutional matters.
- Average pay: ₹12 lakhs per year
History-Related Jobs in Education Technology
11. Educational Content Developer
EdTech companies require specialists in history to develop history courses and online lessons, as well as educational games. BYJUs and Unacademy are some companies that create historical content that is appealing to learners and addresses their curriculum needs.
- Skills needed: Curriculum design, digital tools, pedagogy
12. Online Tutor
Since the growth of online learning, history tutors can offer their services to students across the globe on platforms such as Khan Academy and Vedantu.
- Skills needed: Subject knowledge, communication skills, ability to use online teaching tools, and adaptability
Career Opportunities for History Graduates in New Sectors
13. Cultural Heritage Manager
NGOs, government bodies like the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and international organisations work to preserve India’s cultural heritage. History graduates contribute by managing and coordinating projects such as the National Mission on Cultural Mapping, UNESCO World Heritage site conservation efforts, and community heritage programmes.
- Skills needed: Project management, research, communication, and conservation knowledge.
14. Historical Fiction Writer
India’s publishing and entertainment industries offer opportunities to writers who combine storytelling with accurate historical research. This creates opportunities in books, films, and web series.
- Skills needed: Creative writing, research, storytelling, and editing.
Career After BA in History
If you complete your bachelor’s degree in history, you have several immediate options:
- Pursue an MA in History for specialised knowledge
- Take competitive exams like UPSC or SSC
- Start working in museums, libraries, or cultural organisations
- Begin freelance research or writing work
Career After an MA in History
Pursuing a master’s in history can lead to specialised roles across academia, research, and publishing. Some of the most common career paths include:
- Assistant Professor or Lecturer positions, typically requiring clearing exams like UGC NET
- Enrolling in PhD programmes
- Working as a research associate
- Joining museums as an assistant curator
- Teaching at the undergraduate level
- Editing for academic or trade publishers
Jobs You Can Do With a History Degree: Future Prospects
The future looks bright for history graduates who adapt to changing times. New technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality are creating fresh opportunities in historical research and presentation. AI can be used to analyse large historical datasets, digitise and transcribe old manuscripts, or recreate historical timelines using predictive models.
Climate change research also needs historians to understand how past societies dealt with environmental challenges. This creates job opportunities in environmental consulting and policy research.
Making Your Decision
When deciding among jobs for people who like history, think about your other hobbies and talents. Do you like to write, research, teach, or work with technology? The answer you give will provide you with guidance on the career path.
Remember that some successful professionals supplement their historical training with other competencies. A graduate of history, who studies digital marketing may be employed in cultural tourism. A person with a background in history and law can choose to major in heritage law.
Conclusion
There are more career options for history lovers than ever before. Your background in history can help you become a traditional historian or take on modern opportunities in technology and media.
The most important thing is to remain curious and keep educating yourself, and find practical applications to your knowledge of history. Start developing skills and acquiring experience even during your studies. This early beginning aids you in making more definitive career choices and enhances your preparedness in seizing future prospects.
