Welcome
The study of history explores our shared and diverse past, providing an essential context and perspective on the contemporary world. Studying history enhances a student’s ability to think and reason, to communicate effectively, and to organize systematically, evaluate, and interpret information. These are essential skills demanded of today’s young professionals and graduate students.
History is one of the most popular majors for students who expect to pursue a professional education. Law students find a history degree especially attractive and helpful. Throughout their careers, journalism students rely heavily on the information and skills they acquire in history courses. Moreover, students who enter the business world directly upon completion of their undergraduate degrees have found that a major in history, particularly when it is accompanied by a minor in business or accounting, has enhanced their attractiveness considerably in today’s job market.
National, state, and local governments all seek employees with backgrounds in the study of history or with the skills which history majors have acquired. For example, the departments of State, Defense, and Education, as well as federal intelligence agencies, all employ significant numbers of historians. Federal and state legislative research groups also make extensive use of historians.
Undergraduates who seek careers in the professional study of history have a number of attractive options. Students who plan to teach at the college or junior college level should major in history as undergraduates. Anticipated increases in the number of college-age students is increasing the demand for college and junior college teachers. Comparable increases in the demand for good history teachers at the secondary level have been felt since 1990. Additionally, museums, archives, national and state park services, and historical societies throughout the nation require management and staff with historical training. In short, a history major prepares a student for a wide range of career opportunities.
Dr. Noell Wilson, Chair
University of Mississippi
Department of History
310 Bishop Hall
University, MS 38677
Telephone: (662)915-7148 | Fax: (662)915-7033
nrwilson@olemiss.edu
