Historians prepare a written record and interpretation of past or current events dealing with human activities, conditions, and accomplishments and put them in perspective. They may present their account in terms of individuals or social, ethnic, political, economic, or geographic groupings.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Historians may:

Assemble historical data by consulting such sources as historical indexes and catalogs, archives, court records, diaries, news files, catalogs, and other published and unpublished materials

Get and appraise physical evidence such as drawings, photographs, and architectural and archaeological remains

Interview participants in historical events

Organize and evaluate historical data on the basis of significance and authenticity

Develop new methods to find, assess, and validate historical data

Present research findings and theories in textbooks, journals and other publications

Perform research for individuals, institutions, and commercial organizations on such subjects as manners and customs of a certain historical period or technological evolution within an industry

Act as advisor/consultant to publishers and other media personnel

Lecture and teach historical matters

Supervise graduate students and faculty

The equipment and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Historians may specialize in these areas:

052.067-022 HISTORIANS prepare written records of past or current events dealing with human activities, conditions, and accomplishments and put them in perspective. They may present their accounts in terms of individuals or social, ethnic, political, economic, or geographic groupings.

052.067-018 GENEALOGISTS conduct research into the "family tree" of an individual or family in order to establish descent from specific ancestors and to discover and identify someone's forebears.

052.067-026 DRAMATIC ARTS HISTORIANS conduct research to avoid inaccuracies in stage or radio dramas or motion pictures. They verify details, such as customs, costumes, speech mannerisms, architectural styles, and transportation modes of a specific time or place.

052.067-010 BIOGRAPHERS describe in narrative form the career or part of the life of an individual. They assemble materials from news accounts, diaries, personal papers, correspondence, interviews, and other sources. (For related information, see MOIScript #326 AUTHOR.)

052.167-010 RESEARCH DIRECTORS coordinate activities of motion picture, TV, or radio production research departments. They also conduct research on various subjects to ensure historical authenticity of productions.

Most Historians teach, conduct research, and write. Almost all of them specialize in the history of a particular country or region, time period, or subject of interest. Historians may use special skills and training in labor movements, medicine, religion, science, music, or military affairs. Historians may work as administrators in museums or libraries or at historical sites. (see MOIScript #346 Archivist & Curator)

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Historians may work alone when doing research or teaching, or they may work with other professionals, graduate assistants, and secretaries. Much of their work is done in classrooms, libraries, archives, and offices that are generally clean, well lighted, and well ventilated.

The normal workweek for nonteaching Historians is about 40 hours. Those who teach at colleges are in class about 9 to 15 hours per week and spend many additional hours doing research, preparing lectures, and composing and grading tests. They might work nine months a year or longer.

Historians may travel overseas and in the United States to attend conferences, give lectures, or do research.

They may belong to several professional associations such as the American Historical Association and the Organization of American Historians. Those who are members of associations usually pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Studying the past and doing research

• Performing activities which bring recognition or appreciation

• Activities that are related to people and communication of ideas

You Should Be Able To:

• Direct, control, and plan an entire activity or activities of others

• Work both independently and as part of a group

• Use reason and logic and interpret ideas and facts

• Understand the meanings and relationships of words

• Perceive detail in written material or tables

• Examine facts, ideas, and theories with an open mind

• Evaluate information using personal judgment or measurable standards

• Express ideas clearly, orally and in writing

• Perform arithmetical operations quickly and accurately

• Work patiently to conduct research

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Create a time line from 1830-1930 in six year intervals.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

If you are researching a period in the 1700's, you need to be able to understand the literature from that time period.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Write and edit articles/books on historical topics for publication.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You are writing an article about an event in the 1700's. You will need to consider the authenticity of the article. Is it an accurate portrayal of that time period?

Historians who teach in elementary or secondary schools must be certified by the Michigan Department of Education. Applicants for provisional certification must have at least a bachelor's degree and have completed a specific teacher preparation program at an approved institution. A master's degree is the minimum requirement for college instructors. Most institutions require a Ph.D. for entry level positions. College professors, historical researchers, and Historians in high level administrative positions usually must have a Ph.D. Most doctoral candidates should be competent in at least one foreign language.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond High School) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond High School) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1900 HISTORY , 2200 MATH , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

077 HISTORY

Programs in History provide opportunities to gain knowledge of past and current human activity. Historians perform research; act as advisers for individuals, institutions, and commercial organizations; and teach. Individuals who teach History at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military web site at http://www.myfuture.com

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICERS

The services have public information officers to keep the public informed about the military. These officers answer questions from the news media, members of Congress, private citizens, and service personnel. They also prepare reports and news releases about activities on military bases and service policies and operations.

What They Do

Public information officers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Supervise the preparation of reports and other releases to the public and the military

• Brief military personnel before they meet with the public and the news media

• Provide information to newspapers, TV and radio stations, and civic organizations

• Schedule and conduct interviews and news conferences

• Plan activities to improve public relations

Special Requirements

A 4-year college degree is normally required to enter this occupation.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful fields of study include journalism, communications, public relations, and advertising. Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to write clearly and simply

• Ability to speak effectively in public

• Interest in news and current events

Training Provided

Job training consists of 8 weeks of classroom instruction. Course content typically includes:

• Department of Defense policies

• Principles of public information and community relations

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian public information officers work for large corporations, government agencies, colleges and universities, and community groups. They perform duties similar to those performed by military public information officers. They may also be called public relations representatives and corporate communications specialists.

Work Environment

Public information officers usually work in offices.

Opportunities

The services have about 200 public information officers. On average, they need 10 new public information officers each year. After job training, public information officers normally direct specialists who gather information for reports, respond to requests for information, and write news releases. With experience, public information officers prepare and give briefings, speeches, and interviews. Eventually, they may advance to senior public affairs positions.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

While in high school and college, you may join history clubs and visit historical exhibits, museums, and libraries. Postsecondary education programs in history may offer experience. Most universities hire graduate students to teach part time or to assist history professors. Historians may also gain additional experience through military service.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Historian employer

internships

volunteer work with a Historian employer

community service work with an agency

Historians may find employment by applying to colleges, universities and other employers or by contacting civil service offices. Assistance may be obtained from university faculty and college placement offices. Many professional associations also provide placement information. The "Employment Information Bulletin," a quarterly publication of the American Historical Association, lists both non-teaching and teaching positions. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

Academe This Week   http://chronicle.com/jobs/notify.htm

American Historical Association http://www.theaha.org/members/login

JobsOnline

Michigan Talent Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

JobOptions

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Salaries of Historians depend largely on their academic qualifications, experience, and area of specialization. The type of employer and size of the employer's operating budget are also key factors.

Average salaries for Historians in public colleges and universities ranged from $31,934 for instructors to $65,688 a year for professors (1998-99). The average salary of classroom teachers, many of whom teach history was $41,351 annually (1998-99).

In the federal government, salaries of Historians with bachelor's degrees began at $20,588 or $25,501 annually (1999). The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

Average annual salaries of college and university faculty in Michigan were (1998-99):

Historians and Historian Specialists employed by the State of Michigan (mid 1999) earned between $29,503 and $47,314 annually. Annual salaries of Historians employed by the city of Detroit ranged from $24,800 for junior historical curators to $95,000 for the historical museum director (1998).

Royalties (fees) from books and earnings from lecture tours and summer school teaching are additional sources of income for some Historians. Some employers also provide cost-of-living allowances, tuition refunds, and financial assistance for conducting research.

Depending on the employer, most Historians receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; and pension plans. Some colleges grant sabbatical leave (absence for travel or study) at reduced rates of pay, and they may offer low rent on college housing. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employers.

Graduate-level education is required for most entry-level jobs in this field. Promotions depend upon advanced degrees, work experience, professional reputation, and area of specialization. A career ladder for a Historian teaching in a college or university may be: instructor; assistant professor; associate professor; full professor; head of department.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Approximately 55% worked for colleges and universities. The federal government employed about 10% of all Historians.

Overall, the supply of Historians will greatly exceed the demand. It is estimated that several thousand bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in history will be granted annually. Individuals trained in historic preservation and business history, as well as those trained in quantitative methods in historical research, including statistics and computer science are expected to have the most favorable job outlook.

Approximately 450 Historians are employed in Michigan as college and university teachers. About 92% taught in urban areas. While most worked as college and university teachers, others were employed as Historians in nonprofit foundations, research councils, libraries, museums, government agencies, historical societies, large corporations, and archives. A few Historians became consultants and prepared and produced material for radio, TV, motion pictures, and other mass media. Some positions in secondary schools were available for Historians with a teaching certification.

Little change is expected in the employment of Historians in Michigan through the year 2005. A few openings should occur annually to replace Historians who retire or leave the occupation for other reasons. Historians with a Ph.D. should expect keen competition for positions. Graduates of prestigious schools and those qualified to teach several areas of history have the best chances. Some positions in community colleges, high schools, museums, historical agencies, and other locations may be available for Historians with master's degrees. However, projected cutbacks in public spending in the arts and humanities are expected to curb most new programs, which will affect employment opportunities for Historians in nonacademic positions.

College graduates with bachelor's degrees in history may need to seek employment in other fields, such as journalism or library science, or continue their education in such areas as law or business.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development