BA in History

[Peji911]

Ive come to a sad conclusion: Im going nowhere with my BA in History.

I mean, I graduate in December and in January Im going to Teacher's College. Not so much because I want to be a teacher, but because I dont know what else I can do with a history degree.

Dont get me wrong. Teachers in Ontario make good money, have great benefits, a strong union, plus the summers off, but still, Im not sure that's what I want to do for the rest of my life--at one point it was, now, not so much.

Add to the fact that my year was the last to have OAC (prior to 2000, Ontario high schools had 5 years, not 4, of education) and now Im 23 and its too late to change my mind.

So my question is: Anyone here have, or know someone who has a BA in History and has a well-paying job that isnt teaching?

[Cebby]

Re: BA in History

You can be a curator or text book reviewer.

[UMass03]

Re: BA in History

Ive come to a sad conclusion: Im going nowhere with my BA in History.

I mean, I graduate in December and in January Im going to Teacher's College. Not so much because I want to be a teacher, but because I dont know what else I can do with a history degree.

Dont get me wrong. Teachers in Ontario make good money, have great benefits, a strong union, plus the summers off, but still, Im not sure that's what I want to do for the rest of my life--at one point it was, now, not so much.

Add to the fact that my year was the last to have OAC (prior to 2000, Ontario high schools had 5 years, not 4, of education) and now Im 23 and its too late to change my mind.

So my question is: Anyone here have, or know someone who has a BA in History and has a well-paying job that isnt teaching?

My wife has a history b.a. and she is now an academic advisor in the Cal State system, good paying state job with great benefits

[joshuar9476]

Re: BA in History

back in the days of my college i started out as a history major ... then changed it for the same reason you did. luckily i changed it in my first year. switched to meteorology (too much math and physics) then to geography (ran out of money) then finished my BA 12 years later with a degree in business management.

[fistofrage]

Re: BA in History

Yep, same here. I went to college to study history and political science. Then a took a history of national economies class. Next thing I know, I had changed my major to economics. Then I parlayed that with an accounting degree and a Business Management degree for the triple play.

Now I have an MBA in Finance and read History of Western Civilizations and Napoleonic History as one of my hobbies. My take on the whole thing is that History made a better hobby than something I wanted to pay the bills with.

Outside of teaching, there are only so many museum curator jobs and research projects out there. If you've gone this far, keep going and get your doctorate so you can do some writings as well as have summers off while teaching history to people who really appreciate history. My cousin is actually in Germany excavating some castle and writing a book on the pre-Germany germanic states while on sebatacle from his professor job. Now that would be sweet.

[McLite]

Re: BA in History

When I first started I wanted to get my BA in history. Then my adviser told me I could either be a teacher or work with books...and be broke doing either.

I switched but still took history classes when I could. I love history, I have always been fascinated by it. But I guess in the real world it was just more practical for me to go another direction.

Just remember a BA will get you into a lot of doors...weather it's in History or Accounting. It might not get you into job specific majors but a degree is a degree in most people's eyes.

[SlimKibbles]

Re: BA in History

I think a guy I went to college with, who is also my 5th cousin, majored in History. He works for the FBI in California. I think he went to Law School after his undergrad though.

[Peji911]

Re: BA in History

When I first started I wanted to get my BA in history. Then my adviser told me I could either be a teacher or work with books...and be broke doing either.

I switched but still took history classes when I could. I love history, I have always been fascinated by it. But I guess in the real world it was just more practical for me to go another direction.

Just remember a BA will get you into a lot of doors...weather it's in History or Accounting. It might not get you into job specific majors but a degree is a degree in most people's eyes.

Broke??

I dont know about in the US, but in Canada, you start at around 42K and within 8 years are at 75K, a year. Then factor in the strong union and benefits, and its a very well paying job.

The summers off are key. Unlike most, I wont just chill but be doing something like flipping houses, or playing the stock market--if I can ever find something that'll explain how to do so..lol

[joshuar9476]

Re: BA in History

Broke??

I dont know about in the US, but in Canada, you start at around 42K and within 8 years are at 75K, a year. Then factor in the strong union and benefits, and its a very well paying job.

The summers off are key. Unlike most, I wont just chill but be doing something like flipping houses, or playing the stock market--if I can ever find something that'll explain how to do so..lol

damn, money was the only thing keeping me from teaching HS here in america. i would take a HS job teaching history or geography in a heartbeat with that kind of salary.

PS> please don't take this the wrong way, but how detailed is canadian history compared united states history? you never really see a canadian history class. that might be interesting.

[jayo]

Re: BA in History

I don't know how "free" you are (wife, kids etc...) but you could take your BA and go teach English over in Asia. I have a friend that's going to do it in Japan, I've had friends go teach in Peru and Chile as well, and they've all loved it. Typically it pays well, they put you in a decent apartment, and you're good to go.

I know you don't want to be a teacher forever, but it would be something interesting to do for now, and who knows it may re-kindle your love of teaching...or you might bag some hot Asian chick who'se dad is the CEO of Samsung. Haha.

[jdros13]

Re: BA in History

My father was a history major...and has been an attorney for 30+ years.

I was an English major and I'm a PGA Professional (club pro).

My sister had a double major (Athletic Training and something else science related) and became a recruiter for MBNA and is now a reading specialist in elementary school (after teaching 3rd grade for a couple of years).

My brother graduated from college with a 2 something GPA in whatever major he could qualify for (his description), took a couple of years, got into grad school and starts his new job as a HS guidance counselor in a week after interning there during the spring semester.

My point...whoever told you that you can only do a couple of things with your major, no matter what it is, is a moron you shouldn't be taking advice from. A diploma in a certain subject area can certainly open a door, but it doesn't close all other doors. Once you get into the real world, it should very quickly become apparent that this cliche is true: Often it isn't what you know, but rather who you know....and subsequently what you do with your opportunities.

[Peji911]

Re: BA in History

Im not tied down at all. I mean, I'm 23 and have a 4 year relationship, but she's in the exact same field as myself (we met in a geo class in university).

Canadian history, IMO is horrible. Its not really 'history' at all. My favourite histories are Portuguese (some crazy shyte going on there, its amazing), American, French and Latin American (and how they keep getting screwed over).

Also, I was thinking of going to Teacher's College in Australia but am not so sure anymore.

As for the poster above me. Not just to you, but going along the lines of your post.

Anyone watch friends? Chandler Bing does some job in an office. Alot of the people here at OS work in offices. My question is: How did you guys get into office work? Is it fun and well paying?

I dont know. Im just worried that a BA in History is going to screw me over in the long run. The more I think of it, the more I regret not going into business or sports management. I just see people working in product marketing, risk management, etc and wish I had gone into it.

Where does one even look for those kinds of jobs? Its all new to me, wow

[Scottdau]

Re: BA in History

Ive come to a sad conclusion: Im going nowhere with my BA in History.

I mean, I graduate in December and in January Im going to Teacher's College. Not so much because I want to be a teacher, but because I dont know what else I can do with a history degree.

Dont get me wrong. Teachers in Ontario make good money, have great benefits, a strong union, plus the summers off, but still, Im not sure that's what I want to do for the rest of my life--at one point it was, now, not so much.

Add to the fact that my year was the last to have OAC (prior to 2000, Ontario high schools had 5 years, not 4, of education) and now Im 23 and its too late to change my mind.

So my question is: Anyone here have, or know someone who has a BA in History and has a well-paying job that isnt teaching?

Teaching is a hard job, especially were I work. lol It is great pay and I work 8 to 3 and work 180 day contract. Plus I get something like 40 day off a year. When you add up the holidays.

[Scottdau]

Re: BA in History

Im not tied down at all. I mean, I'm 23 and have a 4 year relationship, but she's in the exact same field as myself (we met in a geo class in university).

Canadian history, IMO is horrible. Its not really 'history' at all. My favourite histories are Portuguese (some crazy shyte going on there, its amazing), American, French and Latin American (and how they keep getting screwed over).

Also, I was thinking of going to Teacher's College in Australia but am not so sure anymore.

As for the poster above me. Not just to you, but going along the lines of your post.

Anyone watch friends? Chandler Bing does some job in an office. Alot of the people here at OS work in offices. My question is: How did you guys get into office work? Is it fun and well paying?



I dont know. Im just worried that a BA in History is going to screw me over in the long run. The more I think of it, the more I regret not going into business or sports management. I just see people working in product marketing, risk management, etc and wish I had gone into it.

Where does one even look for those kinds of jobs? Its all new to me, wow

OK that was funny, the not tie down part. You been with her for 4 years, you are tie down. Ask her that question if she is tie down? lol

[Scottdau]

Re: BA in History

Broke??

I dont know about in the US, but in Canada, you start at around 42K and within 8 years are at 75K, a year. Then factor in the strong union and benefits, and its a very well paying job.

The summers off are key. Unlike most, I wont just chill but be doing something like flipping houses, or playing the stock market--if I can ever find something that'll explain how to do so..lol

Yeah we make 50K starting out and can top at 75K.