Recent graduate Amy Hivner (second from the left in the photo above) shared her thoughts on Grove City College and the History Department:

Two years ago, I left Grove City College with a diploma and vague goals. Returning to Lancaster, PA, I entered the hunt for a job, friends, and service. The Lord provided in every area. Currently, I teach at a public high school, worship at a local church, coach lacrosse to middle school girls, and volunteer at my church youth group.

As I teach history, Grove City’s impact is evident. I organize each lesson, under the guidance of a parade of Grove City professors, in the form of my quickly-copied class notes. As I prepare to teach explorers, Dr. Graham urges that I not forget Zheng He. My students explore primary sources, I once analyzed under Dr. Smith. Dr. Harp’s organization amazes me as I attempt to find themes in the layers of American history. In considering the latest educational strategy, I hear Dr. Edwards asking if I am amusing my students to death. And every time I give a map quiz I guiltily admit that it is not as challenging as one from Dr. Mitchell.

Overall, Grove City College prepared me to stand confidently in front of a classroom of curious (or at times apathetic) high schoolers. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, listening, and evaluating, all skills gathered at Grove City, allow me to teach my students the wonders of history, while caring for them as individuals. As a teacher, coach, and youth group leader, I have the unique opportunity to touch the lives of many young people. Though at times overwhelming, through the grace of God I see truth and love growing in the lives around me. I value my time at Grove City, especially as I can see the fruit of the lessons learned in my post-collegiate life.

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Careers and Graduate Study

• History-Related Careers
  Below is a list of careers that history majors have successfully pursued. Of course, not all of them will be of interest to you, and neither are they an exhaustive listing of possibilities. This list is designed to help you in discerning a career.

  • Advertising: account executive, media buyer, media planner, copywriter, researcher, sales.
  • Banking: loan officer, operations manager, trust officer, branch manager
  • City Planning: regional planner, urban administrator, urban planner.
  • Computer Services: computer operator, operations analyst, marketing representative (information technology)
  • Education: bilingual teacher, college/university professor, secondary school teacher, school counselor, special education teacher, educational agencies and foundations, adult education and corporate training programs.
  • Education Administration: admissions counselor, academic advisor, alumni affairs staff, career services staff, financial aid staff, learning support services staff, development staff, student activities staff, student housing staff, dean of students, counseling staff, principal.
  • Environment: advocacy staff, community relations, contract administrator, environmental education, environmental journalism, environmental policy, fundraiser, lobbyist, park ranger, social research analyst, technical writer, wildlife/recreation management.
  • Government: analyst, caseworker, city manager, civil service, community affairs coordinator, code compliance officer, congressional staff, criminologist, customs agent, diplomat, economic development coordinator, foreign service officer, housing & community development, intelligence analyst, investigator, legislative analyst, legislative assistant, politician, program analyst, program information officer, public affairs officer, researcher, speech writer.
  • Film, TV, Radio: broadcaster, production assistant, producer, programming assistant, public relations, sales, scriptwriter.
  • Health Care: public health administrator, human resources manager, public relations.
  • Historical Research: archaeologist, archivist (national, state, local, medical, corporate archives), biographer, curator, historian, demographer, historical society administrator, international relations analyst, genealogical specialist.
  • Human Resources: benefits specialist, college recruiting specialist, compensation manager, employee relations officer, employment interviewer, job analyst, organization development specialist, recruiter, labor relations, training specialist, public relations agent.
  • Insurance: actuary, branch manager, brokerage manager, sales, underwriter.
  • Investments: commodities trader, research analyst, securities analyst, stock broker.
  • Journalism: editor, photojournalist, writer, researcher, news correspondent, foreign news correspondent (see also Publishing).
  • Languages: consul, customs inspector, exporter, foreign language teacher, immigration officer, importer, intelligence officer, interpreter/translator, researcher, travel agent.
  • Law: attorney, judge, law professor, legal research assistant, paralegal.
  • Library Science: librarian, library technology manager.
  • Management & Business: accountant, sales, sales manager, economist, corporate policy analyst, human resources manager, research & development manager, CEO.
  • Marketing: market research analyst.
  • Multimedia: business development, customer support, marketing, online copy editor, online researcher, production assistant, sales, scriptwriter, website designer, web editor, web producer.
  • Museums & Public History: curator, exhibits designer, historic preservation specialist, historic site manager, public history curator, special collections curator, appraiser of antiquities and art, museum technician.
  • Non-Profit Sector: clergy, consumer advocate, fundraiser/development, education administrator, foundation work (United Way, Red Cross), grant writer, Peace Corps/Vista volunteer, public relations, activist careers, advocacy/labor unions.
  • Performing Arts: actor, choreographer, director, producer, stage manager, community affairs director, fundraising/development, government relations, investor relations, press relations officer, promoter, publicity officer, speech writer.
  • Publishing: author, book editor, columnist, corporate communications, copy editor, editorial writer, electronic publishing specialist, employee publications specialist, freelance writer, government publications specialists, journalist, newspaper/magazine writer, playwright, production assistant, public information officer, public relations, magazine designer, (see also Multimedia).
  • Real Estate: appraiser, commercial real estate agent, residential real estate agent.
  • Retail and Merchandising: buyer, retail manager, sales representative, entrepreneur, executive.
  • The Military
  • Visual Arts: appraiser, editorial assistant, graphic designer, photographer.

  What Else Do Our History Majors Do After Graduation?

  • Many who are Pre-law go to law school: We currently have or recently have had students at University of Michigan Law School, University of Pittsburgh Law School, University of Virginia Law School, and many others.
  • Some who are Pre-theology go to seminary: We currently have or recently have had students at Westminster Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Reformed Theological Seminary, Winebrenner Theological Seminary, and others

  Books Specifically Related to Careers in History

  • Barbara Howe, Careers for Students of History (Washington, D.C.: American Historical Association, 1989)
  • Julie DeGalan and Stephen Lambert, Great Jobs for History Majors (VGM Career Horizons, 1995)
  • Melanie Gustafson, Becoming a Historian: A Survival Guide rev. ed. (Washington, D.C.: American Historical Association, 2001)
  • Blythe Camenson, Opportunities in Museum Careers (VGM Career Horizons 1996)
  • Blythe Camenson and Stephen Lambert, Great Jobs for Liberal Arts Majors (VGM Career Horizons,1997)
  • Ronald and Caryl Rae Krannich, The Best Jobs for the 1990s and into the 21st Century 2nd ed. (Impact Publications, 1995)

  Useful Websites with Career-Related Information
  "Liberal Learning and the History Major"
  "Why Study History?"
  "Why become a Historian?"
  "Careers in History" by the American Historical Association
  Keirsey Character Sorter (similar to Myers-Briggs, this test helps identify different kinds of personality temperaments)
  History Departments around the World
  AHA Data on the Historical Profession
  Best History Graduate Schools
  Public History Graduate School Programs
  Best Law Schools
  Secondary Education Teaching Careers Outlook
  Museum Employment Resource Center
  Government, Law, and Public Administration program links
  National Archives
  National Internships Online
  International Internships
  Websites for the History Profession