Why is a liberal arts degree in history worth your time?
Find out why liberal arts degrees matter now more than ever. Check out these recent articles from thought leaders and business experts.
What can I do with my history degree?
History is about change and continuity over time and space
Do you want to gain an understanding of complex cause-and-effect relationships? Would you enjoy learning to gather, organize and evaluate historical sources from a variety of perspectives?
With a degree in history, you'll have the opportunity to pursue a career that you find engaging and rewarding. Our graduates have gone on to careers in business, public service, government, education, and law or to graduate programs, law schools, and professional programs across Canada and the globe. The best part is that you are in control, because your history degree is what you make of it.
History is the study of the human past as it is constructed and interpreted with human artifacts, written evidence, and oral traditions. It requires empathy for historical actors, respect for interpretive debate, and the skillful use of an evolving set of practices and tools.
Read a statement by the American Historical Society on the Core Concepts, Competencies, and Learning Outcomes of the study of History.
Key skills and knowledge
Hone your skills and knowledge in:
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Synthesis of information
- Research
- Organization
- History of various geographical areas and time periods
- Historical knowledge
- Analysis and evaluation
- Problem solving
- Computer skills
- Keen, critical eye
History Alumni Spotlight
History Alumni Spotlight: Roda Siad, BA
History and English (2009), Documentary Filmmaker and Researcher
History Alumni Spotlight: Jennifer (Muza) Stone, BA
History and International Relations (2003), Business Strategist, Municipal Government
Jobs you could have with a history degree
- Admissions Officer
- Archivist / Archivist Assistant
- Bibliographer
- Biographer
- Cataloguer
- Conservator
- Cryptologist
- Curator
- Cybrarian
- Educational Program Coordinator
- Exhibit Designer
- Foreign Service Officer
- Genealogist/ Genealogical Assistant
- Heritage Assistant
- Historian
- Historic Interpreter
- Historic Site Administrator / Officer
- Intelligence Officer
- Librarian / Reference Coordinator
- Museum Educator
- Photograph Cataloguer
- Policy / Program Analyst
- Preservation/Restoration Assistant
- Projects/Program Coordinator
- Researcher / Research Assistant
- Restoration Assistant
- Tour Guide / Director
- Writer
The History Crisis is a National Security Problem
As universities shed scholars, key learning disappears.
Bret Devereaux, a historian specializing in the Roman economy and military, writing in Foreign Policy.com.
Choosing to become a history major is a future-friendly investment
"We’ve never needed knowledge of history and the skills that come with the discipline more than we do now."
- Ian Milligan, Associate Professor of History, University of Waterloo writing in The Conversation Canada
Education without liberal arts is a threat to humanity
"I am a better scholar because of my liberal arts education, because it was intentionally diverse and heterogeneous, because it made me move outside of my comfort zone."
- Santa J. Ono, President, UBC, for CBC Radio's Ideas Afternoon
Why ‘worthless’ humanities degrees may set you up for life
The benefit of a humanities degree is the emphasis it puts on teaching students to think, critique and persuade.
"One recent study of 1,700 people from 30 countries ... found that the majority of those in leadership positions had either a social sciences or humanities degree. That was especially true of leaders under 45 years of age."
- BBC
What Liberal Arts Grads Need to Know About Their Future
Today’s demand for a Liberal Arts skillset isn’t happening despite automation. It’s happening because of it.
- RBC's Bridging the Gap report on the skills revolution and the future of work