Here’s a brief list of what Historians do:

• Research: Conducts extensive research using primary and secondary sources such as archives, manuscripts, documents, artifacts, and oral histories to study past events, societies, and cultures.

• Analysis and Interpretation: Analyzes historical evidence, documents, and sources to interpret and reconstruct events, developments, and societal changes over time.

• Writing and Publishing: Writes scholarly articles, books, and papers based on research findings, contributing to the understanding of historical events and themes.

• Teaching and Education: Educates students and the public through lectures, seminars, workshops, and educational programs on historical topics, theories, and methodologies.

• Public History: Engages in public history projects, including exhibitions, documentaries, museums, and heritage sites, to communicate historical knowledge and interpretations to broader audiences.

• Consultation and Expertise: Provides historical expertise and consultation to organizations, businesses, governments, and media on matters related to historical events, policies, and contexts.

• Historical Preservation: Works to preserve historical sites, artifacts, documents, and traditions to maintain cultural heritage and promote historical understanding.

Here’s how YOU can become one:

1. Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree: Start with a bachelor’s degree in history or a related field (such as anthropology, archaeology, political science, or classics). Courses in historical research methods, historiography (the study of historical writing and methodology), and different periods or regions of history are essential.

• Advanced Degree (Recommended): Pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in history for more specialized knowledge and research skills. Advanced degrees are often required for teaching at the college level or conducting independent research.

2. Develop Research Skills:

• Primary Sources: Learn how to analyze and interpret primary sources (original documents, artifacts, etc.) from different historical periods.

• Secondary Sources: Understand how to critically evaluate and use secondary sources (historical books, articles, interpretations by other historians).

• Historical Methods: Familiarize yourself with various research methods used in history, such as archival research, oral history, quantitative analysis, and digital humanities.

3. Gain Experience:

• Internships: Seek internships at museums, historical societies, archives, or research institutions to gain practical experience in historical research, preservation, and interpretation.

• Fieldwork: Depending on your area of interest (e.g., archaeology or social history), consider participating in archaeological digs, conducting interviews for oral histories, or visiting historical sites.

4. Specialize and Focus:

• Choose a specific area of history that interests you, such as ancient history, medieval history, modern history, cultural history, political history, etc. Specializing allows you to deepen your knowledge and expertise in a particular field.

5. Writing and Communication Skills:

• Historians need strong writing skills to communicate their research findings effectively. Practice writing clear and engaging historical narratives, essays, and research papers.

• Develop public speaking skills if you plan to present research findings at conferences or teach history.

6. Networking and Professional Development:

• Attend conferences, seminars, and workshops related to history to network with other historians, scholars, and professionals in the field.

• Join historical organizations and associations (such as the American Historical Association, British Association for Local History, etc.) to stay updated on developments in the field and access resources.

  This is a very brief and general plan. To know your specific academic path for this career please talk to an advisor at the college or program you plan on attending!