History

History examines the past in order to provide an explanation of the present –how we got where we are and where we are potentially headed. The study of History provides a profound understanding of the present, human behaviours and actions, and cultural and ethical issues, as well as a sense of direction and identity.

Not only will History students learn about great leaders of the past, they will also learn what ordinary people believed and valued –how they lived, worshiped, worked, fought, and died. Students will have the opportunity to take thematic and regional courses in Ancient, Medieval and Modern history from the geographic areas that shaped our world today.

History majors can complete a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Arts and Science.

Students interested in History can complete:

Bachelor of Arts (History)
Bachelor of Arts and Science (History)
Bachelor of Arts (History)/Bachelor of Education (BEd)
Bachelor of Arts (History)/Bachelor of Management (BMgt)

The combined degrees leverage synergies with other Bachelor programs and open up additional career opportunities.

Program Planning Guides

Skills

Capacity to Understand & Interpret Both the Past & Present
Compare & Contrast Ideas & Information
Critical Thinking
Global Perspective
Information Management
Interpersonal Skills

Meet Deadlines
Oral & Written Communication
Organizational
Present Ideas & Data Clearly
Problem Solving
Project Management

Provide Relevant Perspectives
Research
Synthesize Complex Information
Teamwork
Understanding of Past Political & Social Processes
Work Independently

Work Environment

A major in History provides an excellent foundation for law, management, or education, as well as providing a wide variety of career options. History graduates may find employment in consulting firms, arts and cultural centres/organizations/museums, research or academic institutions, governmental organizations, law agencies, media companies, tourism companies, genealogy research firms, archaeology firms, publishing companies or non-governmental/non-profit organizations.

Key Areas of Specialization:

Canada
Europe
Latin America
United States
African-American History
Imperial & India
China
Aboriginal/Ethnic & Immigration History
History of Science
Intellectual History
Political History,
Religious History
Social History
Gender & Sexuality
Digital History

Career Possibilities

Entry Level

These jobs are normally intended for new graduates and require 0 to 2 years of experience. It is important to note that many entry level positions require some related experience or demonstrated ability to perform job-related tasks. Even those positions that do not require experience will still prefer an experienced candidate if one is available.

Admissions Counsellor/ Representative
Admissions Specialist (College)
Canadian Heritage Guide
Community Connection & Youth Coordinator
Curatorial Assistant
Interpretive Tour Guide
Junior Clerk
Learning Centre Instructor
Publication Coordinator
Student Accessibility Tutor
Student Data Clerk
Student Recruitment Officer
Student Services Coordinator
Survey Assistant
Travel Consultant

Related Job Titles

These jobs generally require extensive, relevant work experience and/or further education.

Thinking Outside the Box: Other Possible Job Titles

On average, people change their careers three to five times in their lifetime. So, no matter what major you choose, you may still be interested in opportunities totally unrelated to your program of study. We encourage you to be open to all possibilities! Your undergraduate degree can be a springboard for other educational pursuits, and your transferable skills and experience can prepare you to work in a multitude of settings.

Useful Resources

Canadian Historical Association http://www.cha-shc.ca/
Canadian Museums Association http://www.museums.ca/
Canadian Heritage http://www.pch.gc.ca/
Heritage Canada The National Trust http://www.heritagecanada.org
Association of Canadian Archivists http://archivists.ca
Canadian Heritage Information Network https://www.canada.ca/en/heritage-information-network.html
Galt Museum & Archives Lethbridge http://www.galtmuseum.com/
Library & Archives Canada Pages - Home (canada.ca)
Canadian International Council http://opencanada.org
Canadian Council on Social Development http://www.ccsd.ca
The Council of Canadians - Acting for Social Justice http://www.canadians.org
Canadian Geographic http://www.canadiangeographic.ca
Canada History http://www.canadahistory.com
American Historical Association http://www.historians.org
American Antiquarian Society http://www.americanantiquarian.org
United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization http://en.unesco.org

Add Value to Your Degree

The more you do to differentiate yourself, the more likely you are to succeed in building a fulfilling career path for yourself. It takes more than just attending classes to stand out amongst other students and new graduates. Become an explorer! Try new things, challenge yourself, build unique skills, and connect with diverse people.

Use the ideas listed below to help you brainstorm experiences to add value to your degree. For more ideas on experiential opportunities at the University of Lethbridge, view the Student Experience Transcript.

Connect with Others

Making connections with others is one of the best ways to learn about the world of work and gain access to career-building opportunities. Making meaningful connections with people is often called building a network. Building these connections can give you access to jobs before they are posted, or to jobs that are not publicly posted. Employers like to hire people they have already built relationships with, and are more likely to hire people who have been recommended by trusted colleagues and friends.

Start building your network by attending Career Fairs and other on-campus recruitment events found on the Career Services Events page within the Career Bridge portal. Get introduced to career professionals in a welcoming and approachable way through uLethbridge Connect at Ten Thousand Coffees. Consider joining a professional association to help you find opportunities to meet experienced professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

d professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

Co-operative Education

Co-operative Education allows you to earn income through real-world work experience that is related to your academic studies. Completing a co-op work term provides you with an opportunity to build your skills in a practical work setting, network with employers, and increase your marketability after graduation.

Co-operative education is available to undergraduate and graduate-level students within a variety of programs in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Dhillon School of Business, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Health Sciences. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how co-op works here.

Applied Studies

The Applied Studies program offers you the opportunity to earn academic credit for learning gained through employment or volunteer experiences. Placements provide skill development and experiential learning related to your studies by integrating principles learned in the classroom with practical situations encountered on the job.

Student Clubs and Leadership

Participating in clubs and running for student government are great ways to build employability skills, learn how to work with others, and demonstrate your leadership abilities.

The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union is committed to building a rewarding and enriching experience for undergraduate students. They have positions for Executive Council members and General Assembly members, as well as an extensive list of ratified clubs, offering opportunities to get involved in areas of interest and in leadership positions.

The Graduate Students’ Association’s mandate is to identify and advocate for graduate student needs. They have GSA Executive positions, GSA Council positions, and a mentorship program for incoming students.

Research Opportunities

The University of Lethbridge provides many different opportunities to gain research experience in addition to the required courses in your degree program.

An independent study is a chance for you to design your own research project for course credit under the supervision of a professor of your choice. Course work usually requires independent library research and/or field work and/or a major term paper. For more information, meet with an Academic Advisor and the Department or Faculty member under whom you wish to pursue an Independent Study.

You can also opt to complete an Undergraduate Thesis Course. This will allow you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree and is a great springboard into graduate studies and professional programs. Fourth-year standing and a cumulative GPA of 3.30 is required to complete an Honours Thesis; it is also helpful to have previous research experience like Independent Studies. For more information, contact the Department or Faculty member under whom you with to pursue your Honours Thesis.

The Office of Research and Innovation Services has a wealth of information on additional research opportunities for students, including Student Funding, Student Research Positions, AGILITY, and events. The School of Graduate Studies has information on Research Opportunities/Graduate Student Positions and GA/Co-op/Internship Opportunities. If you are interested in building your research portfolio, do not miss out on these opportunities!

International Experience

International experience builds valuable employability skills like adaptability, multi-cultural awareness, and the initiative to take on new challenges. Gain an international perspective by participating in Education Abroad opportunities like semester exchanges, study tours, field studies, work-study tours, internships, and more. Learn about international careers and resources through MyWorldAbroad (available within the Career Bridge portal).

Community Involvement

Volunteerism is an excellent way to demonstrate your current skills, build new skills, and grow your network. If you are not sure where to get started, connect with UVolunteer, the University of Lethbridge’s partnership with Volunteer Lethbridge. If you already volunteer, UVolunteer can provide you with a framework to organize and document your volunteer work. If you are not sure how or where to get involved, UVolunteer can help you find volunteer opportunities that meet your needs and the needs of your community. Also consider volunteering with a local Board, Commission, or Committee.

What can I do with a major in History