Historians

Part-time or volunteer experience working in a museum, at a historical site, or assisting historians with research is recommended.

Historians must be curious about past events and the reasons why they occurred. They need patience to conduct painstaking research into a variety of historical records—such as family histories, court records, diaries, and town archives—to piece together the events and historical trends that shaped the past. Their research may be focused on an individual's life history, a family genealogy, the development of a city, or a large historical trend, like the history of slavery in the United States. Historians need to have analytical minds capable of sifting facts scientifically. They must also be dedicated, self-motivated, and curious about the world around them. Historians also need to be skilled at presenting their findings in clear, concise language in books, speeches, films and articles. Those who choose to become history teachers should have good speaking skills, patience, and enjoy working with students.