What can you do with a UWM History degree? We found out.
The training you get as a history major is the perfect foundation for any career. Critical thinking, research, and writing — the kinds of skills our major gives you — are all in high demand across a wide range of professions. More importantly, students who have learned to critically analyze the past gain a more empowered relationship to the world around us in the present. When you understand the origins of current problems, conflicts, and structures, you gain insight into how we could transform the present and begin to build better futures. Historical training provides you with skills that cannot be replaced by automation and artificial intelligence, but it also fosters empathy, helping you to build a career that is meaningful and creative.
We took a look at some of the careers our History major and History MA alumni have found, and their extremely diverse and successful career paths are a testament to the continued value of majoring in history. Our majors are well-represented in fields you might expect for a history major such as museums, libraries and archives, law firms, government agencies, and education. But they are also entrepreneurs, politicians, non-profit and charitable organization leaders, businessmen and -women, and investment professionals. Whatever profession you find, majoring in history will prepare you for a changing world with skills that never become obsolete.
Check out this site at the American Historical Association, where you can find useful information on careers in history and some of the sample jobs held by our alumni:
- Park Ranger at the U.S. National Park Service
- Business Data Analyst at MGIC
- Corporate Talent Development Designer at Kohls
- History Teacher at Milwaukee Public Schools
- Operations Coordinator at National Children’s Museum
- Grants Compliance Analyst at Florida State University
- Librarian/Archivist at Milwaukee Art Museum
- Archivist at Archdiocese of Milwaukee
- Director of Education at Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center
- Business Manager at Baylon Family Physicians, Ltd
- Branch Manager at Milwaukee Public Library
- Document Architect and Technical Writer at PKWARE
- Outreach & Marketing Librarian at UW-Parkside
- Freelance Writer
- Archivist at Milwaukee County Historical Society
- Attorney at Saks Fifth Avenue
- Lawyer at Amundsen Davis
- Executive Director at Wisconsin Education Network
- Financial Advisor at The Zalewski Schneck Group
- Chief Executive Officer at Community Care, Inc.
- Development and Grants Officer at Columbia St. Mary’s Foundation
- Membership and Volunteer Coordinator at Green Bay Botanical Garden
- Human Resources Manager at Johnson Controls
- Business Development Manager at Basic Metals Inc.
- Director of Development at UW-Milwaukee
- Inside Sales Executive at GE Healthcare
- Director of Public Programs at Historic London Town & Gardens
- Program Analyst at the U.S. Department of Justice
- Senior Vice President at Associated Bank
- Director of Sales & Marketing at Planet Bike
- Reporter at Miami Herald
- Economic Development Specialist at Waukesha County
- History Teacher at Oshkosh School District
- Insurance Advisor at Professional Insurance Programs
- Copywriter at EPIC Creative
- Business Analyst at U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
- Executive Director at Ephraim Historical Foundation
- Marketing Specialist at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
- Mayor at City of Sheboygan
- Program Coordinator at Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Curator at Luxembourg American Cultural Society
- Records and Information Manager at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum