Inside History
VCU College of Humanities and Sciences

Inside History is part of a series of brochures relating VCU majors to occupational fields. The information in this pamphlet can help you with planning your education and career.

History is the study of past civilizations and problems. Often the study of history aids our understanding of cultural heritage and the problems of today's society. The department also offers a minor in history as a complement to other majors.

Through the general education requirements, taken in the freshman and sophomore years, students typically develop the following skills:

• ability to locate and gather information
• curiosity and intellectual ability to ask the right questions - to think critically.
• interpersonal skills to understand and influence others.
• ability to analyze and synthesize information and to communicate it in writing and orally
• a breadth of background from the sciences, mathematics, social sciences, and humanities.
• a sense of ethics that will not be compromised by immediate personal gain or prejudice.

Students majoring in history tend to develop the following skills:

• ability to accurately evaluate records of past events, ideas, and facts.
• proficiency in reading comprehension and writing.
• ability to collect and organize data.
• strong writing and research skills.
• heightened perception of the role of continuity and change in human life.

Sample courses students in history take include the following:

• Introduction to Historical Studies
• Ancient Near East
• The Early Middle Ages
• The Zenith of European Power
• The Holocaust
• Colonial America
• Civil War and Reconstruction
• American Constitutional & Legal Development
• Americans from Africa
• Twentieth Century U.S. History
• The Early Middle Ages
• History of Russia
• History of West Africa
• Latin America and World Affairs
• Research Seminars

To become more marketable:

• Investigate the Honors in History program.
• Participate in, and take on leadership roles in, extracurricular activities, such as the Alexandrian Society.
• Arrange for an internship through the department with organizations such as museums or historical agencies.
• Enroll in the Cooperative Education program to gain valuable work experience.
• Take electives related to your career goals (for example, business or foreign languages) or minor in a supporting area such as women's studies or writing. Students may also major in another field and minor in history.

History majors go on to a wide variety of occupations. Some are related to history, while others are in new fields. Some areas of employment frequently entered by undergraduate history majors, with appropriate education and experience, include:

• Archivist
• Bank Officer
• Biographer
• FBI/CIA Agent
• Foreign Service Officer
• High School History and Social Sciences Teacher
• Historical Society Worker
• Insurance Underwriter
• Military Officer
• Museum Curator
• Paralegal
• Peace Corps Volunteer
• Sales Representative

Students wishing to work in historical agencies, publish historical writings, or teach college history will find graduate study in history necessary. Many history majors go on to graduate study in other areas, such as law, urban planning, historic preservation, business, or education. Students interested in teaching (grades K-12) participate in VCU's five-year teacher education program.

Further information is available at the Career Center (Commons, first floor) or through the division:

Virginia Commonwealth University
College of Humanities and Sciences
Department of History
Stagg House, 912 W. Franklin St.
PO Box 842001
Richmond VA 23284-2001

804-828-1635
Fax: 804-828-7085

A Student Guide to the major is available through the department.

This brochure is published by the VCU Career Development Council in cooperation with academic departments.

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