Why would an employer want to hire a History Major?

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Throughout your undergraduate education you have been developing your intellectual capacity to understand complex issues, identify correlations or inconsistencies between information, locate accurate information sources, develop arguments, and engage in dialogue (whether written or oral) about your findings.  These “transferable skills”, as they are referred to in the job search context (in resumes, during interviews), are the skills your future employer will expect you to be able to “transfer” into your next job. 

Employers hire graduates based on their demonstrated skills not on what major(s) they obtained while in college.  According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers Research (Job Outlook 2008) employers ranked the following skills as those most desirable in new recruits.

Quality/Skill	Importance of Skill
Communication Skills	4.6
Strong Work Ethic	4.6
Teamwork Skills	4.5
Initiative	4.4
Interpersonal Skills	4.4
Problem Solving Skills	4.4
Analytical Skills	4.3
Flexibility/adaptability	4.2
Computer Skills	4.1

5 point scale: 1=not important; 5=extremely important
National Association of Colleges and Employers Research Job Outlook 2008

Liberal arts graduates – history majors like you -- have a diversity of experience and skills that allow them to adapt to changes in job responsibilities and career paths.  Research, analytical problem-solving, writing and communication skills never become obsolete.  The ability to learn quickly and understand complex issues are qualities employers look for and liberal arts majors are often the best prepared for these situations because of the diversity of their academic and out-of-classroom preparation.

Following is a sampling of the types of skills you may develop as a history major.  How you articulate your skills to a future employer will mean the difference between getting the job interview and the job or never making it past an employers recycle bin.  Take the time to reflect on the skills you’ve developed and how those might benefit an employer!

• Ability to explain and interpret events and ideas
• Develop a compelling argument by framing questions and developing themes
• Obtain and analyze reports and synopsis
• Summarize information based on a clearly defined argument
• Develop solutions based on a diversity of world views, time periods, cultures and sources
• Detail oriented and ability to concentrate on a project of significant magnitude
• Create a system to organize and analyze data
• Find solutions to complex problems
• Knowledge of a particular time period or region
• Curiosity and inquisitiveness
• Offer new perspectives on recurring issues
• Identifying and clearly stating the central issue
• Relating theories to data
• Decision-making and problem solving
• Evaluating evidence for causal vs. correlation data
• Interviewing techniques
• Commitment to life-long learning
• Present information orally
• Create accurate and detailed reports
• Informing others using clear and concise language
• Editing and summarizing
• Experience utilizing various electronic media

There are many resources available to help you identify your unique skill set.  One of the best ways to do this is by developing a strong resume.  The process of developing your resume will force you to think about your transferable skills in a very tangible way.  For assistance in developing your resume and learning how to articulate your transferable skills visit the University of Wisconsin-Madison Letters & Science Career Services website at http://www.lssaa.wisc.edu/careers/resumes/resumes+cover.html  The Career Services Office has both online and in-person help for students developing their resume. To see sample resumes and a curriculum vitae of previous history students please click here.