Can a history degree actually lead to a good job?

[Jon1970]

Hi, I'd be grateful for an opinion on the merits or not of doing a history degree. My youngest daughter is currently in A1 doing History, Geography and Economics. She was considering doing Law at Uni (still is, to an extent..) but I think she is gradually drifting away from that, which is fine...at 17 I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do. She has always loved History, and still does. There is a narrative out there on careers pages etc that History teaches you great analytical skills, problem solving and so on, the argument being that a degree in history can lead to "so many" careers. But I'm worried....in the real world, is this actually true?

I'm curious to know if you either did History yourself or someone you know, and did it lead to good opportunities further down the line? I really want to support her in doing what she wants to do and in something she enjoys, but just trying to sanity check that she won't say to me in 5 years time something like "Dad, why on earth did you let met me do a History degree?". I know that she could do a history degree and then a Law conversion course if she does want to go into law, but if she doesn't want to do law, what then?

I am probably slightly haunted by doing a music degree, and then switching later to IT and business.

[coolcahuna]

Two of my friends did history at uni and then the 1 year law conversion course, 1 is still a lawyer and the other has gone into consultancy.

I honestly think its fine to do a subject you love, my son is thinking Economics which could then flip into law maybe later.

[Thegrassneedsmowing]

History is an academically rigorous degree that can be a stepping stone to all sorts of professions or it can lead to a dead end job. Like Law really.

[LittleBearPad]

Much better to do a degree you’re interested in. History is rigorous and will teach analytical skills, persuasive communication through essay writing. She can still do law later.

[Flatandhappy]

One of my sons did a history degree, ancient history was his passion but he also had to do modern and a number of English units in his degree (we are in Aus so things might be a bit different). In an ideal world he would have loved to work in a museum with ancient artifacts but did understand by the time he finished that that was not going to happen. He has just finished his two years Masters of teaching (Secondary) and got his first teaching job in January. The school he did his last placement in offered him a full time job. He absolutely loves it. It’s a public school so there is a fair amount of challenging behaviour but he still loves it and “his” kids. Never seen him happier.

[C1N1C]

I think it depends on the mentality of the employer, and it's pretty much split 50:50

• A degree is a degree, and they SKILLS you've learned to acquire it are the most important part... e.g. time management, writing, research...

• A degree is about learning vital KNOWLEDGE for the position... e.g. a history degree is absolutely useless if you're becoming a lab scientist, even if you're amazing at writing and research.

My view is to do a degree that helps both, and/or is a happy medium between many careers, like say business, maths, or computing.

[onlyconnect]

Most graduate jobs don't require a particular degree. Any degree is fine for most, with some obvious exceptions

[LittleBearPad]

@C1N1C

I think it depends on the mentality of the employer, and it's pretty much split 50:50

• A degree is a degree, and they SKILLS you've learned to acquire it are the most important part... e.g. time management, writing, research...

• A degree is about learning vital KNOWLEDGE for the position... e.g. a history degree is absolutely useless if you're becoming a lab scientist, even if you're amazing at writing and research.

My view is to do a degree that helps both, and/or is a happy medium between many careers, like say business, maths, or computing.

Business degrees aren’t particularly rigorous and the others aren’t any more useful than history is.

[Dreemhouse]

A relative of mine started out at uni doing some kind of business degree but dropped out after a year because he didn’t enjoy it. He then went to a different uni to study history, came out with a first, went straight into an accountancy graduate programme and now earns £85k pa.

Your DD will be at uni for at least 3 years. I definitely think she should choose a subject she enjoys. And as another PP has mentioned, she will gain valuable analytical skills that can be transferred into a variety of careers.

[StrictlyAFemaleFemale]

My sister did English and history and runs part of the BBC.

[Beingboredisgoodforyou]

I know a few people with history degrees.

• Did PGCE to teach history and is now head of department at a large secondary school. About 60k.
• Masters in Social Work and is now a team manager. Similar salary.
• Friends son did joint history and archaeology. Masters in Archaeology whilst working as an assistant archaeologist. Now a full time archaeologist and thinking of doing a PhD to further his career. Not sure of salary but it wouldn't matter because he loves his work.

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/history/hist-arch/

[resipsa]

BA Law here at Nottingham in the 90s, switched at the end of first year from history. Studied both law and history for all 3 years. Now a lawyer.

[MrsSkylerWhite]

Of course. Highly respected degree.

[user1471548941]

History degree here, now work in strategy for an investment bank. My history degree got me into a part of the bank that was very document heavy, I then used internal training to be a project manager in technology. My job is to look at the banks needs and decide what technology investments we should make. It’s a very cool job- I look at AI etc also.

Essentially with some of the bigger banks, you just need a good degree, good grade from a decent uni to get your foot in the door and then you’re away. No one cares what subject your degree is from the moment you step foot in the door.

[Octavia64]

Yes.

Most graduate schemes accept any degree and history is a good degree respected by recruiters.

[Terribletooths]

I did one at a good uni , then a masters at a better uni and then went into banking in regulation based work.

can earn 80k and more if contracting.

[RefreshingCandour]

@LittleBearPad

Business degrees aren’t particularly rigorous and the others aren’t any more useful than history is.

What does “business degrees aren’t particularly rigorous” mean? Can you please expand on this?

[Zebresia25]

My DD did a history degree, and now works in tech (solutions architect). Her ex-uni classmates work in a variety of roles, e.g. for the National Trust, in TV (started on the BBC graduate scheme), project manager, something extremely well-paid at KMPG (not sure what). A history degree from a reputable uni seems to be well regarded by employers.

[ThePoetsWife]

The problem with a law degree is that it can limit your career options.

People I know who did history are in finance, consultancy, and the civil service

[Felixinthefactory]

I did a history degree. Would have loved museum work, but there isn't much of that about. Fell into teaching - absolutely don't follow that path unless you REALLY want to be a teacher. Now work in IT, which is far more financially rewarding and less stressful. A history degree hasn't stopped me doing anything, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

[Beingboredisgoodforyou]

King Charles has a 2:2 in history and archaeology. It hasn't held him back 😀

[Beingboredisgoodforyou]

@Felixinthefactory

I did a history degree. Would have loved museum work, but there isn't much of that about. Fell into teaching - absolutely don't follow that path unless you REALLY want to be a teacher. Now work in IT, which is far more financially rewarding and less stressful. A history degree hasn't stopped me doing anything, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

Agree about not falling into teaching. My friend wanted to be a history teacher and has many stories about people who fell into teaching because they didn't really have any plans about what they wanted to do with their degree.

[KnittedCardi]

New data from the UCAS 2023 undergraduate application cycle show that Oxford degrees classified as historical, philosophical, and religious studies were the most popular for undergraduate study

Obviously Oxford is fairly unique but lots of students are opting for these subjects with no obvious career mind.

[steppingout]

If she'll enjoy it then she should go for it. I studied history and friends from the course are now senior civil servants, accountants (graduate training programme), academics, consultants, teachers, journalists, lawyers. Outside of jobs that require specific specialism, for a lot of employers a good degree from a respected university is probably more important anyway than the subject.

[Username947531]

I did a history degree and went into the City on a graduate scheme. But I went to Oxbridge. Only do a history degree if it is from a very good university. Pointless at an old poly or second tier uni.

[AmaryllisChorus]

History is a great primer degree for the one-year Law conversion, so she may as well do History if she loves it.

It's analytical, so it would suit any jobs that require scrutiny and critical thinking - project management, business strategy, business or political writer etc.