What can I do with a BA in History?

[rjc311]

Ok, so I finally applied to Excelsior and I just started the 1 credit Information Literacy class yesterday. Once I am done with that I will have all of the classes I need for my AA from Excelsior. I know it is more money to get the AA then the BA but I really wanted to get the AA to keep me motivated...

I need to decide on a major now. I love History so that is my first choice but I honestly don't know what a BA in History will do for me. Can anyone offer me some input? I just want to make sure I make a reasonable decision and that I can make use of my degree. Thanks in advance for your input!

[studyhard]

I chose a history major at TESC because it was one of the faster, easier majors. I had the same question you did about what you can do with a history degree. I asked the degree consultant I was talking to and he basically told me that people are often more interested in the fact that you HAVE a degree, not so much what it's IN. Obviously, certain fields do require a certain degree (nursing, law, etc.) but there are a lot of other fields that don't require something that specific.

I haven't finished my degree so I can't tell you from personal experience. But that's what this guy told me, at any rate.

[sirjake]

...
Obviously, certain fields do require a certain degree (nursing, law, etc.) but there are a lot of other fields that don't require something that specific. ...

And in both of those fields, a "general" degree can be the stepping-stone to the termination degree needed to practice in those fields. I.e., I seriously considered law and my TESC liberal studies degree wasn't going to be a problem (I spoke directly with the admissions directors at two major law schools--not Harvard or Yale, of course, but good ones). And I'm currently considering an accelerated nursing program where my having a degree in ANYTHING means that I can get my BSN in about a year rather than the normal 4+ years that it would take. So having a general degree can help in those areas, too.

[twitterflix]

Im going for a BA in history too. It's really a wide spectrim for jobs. After i get my BA im going to school for a masters in archeology. but there's so many other choices than that.

[fibonacci112]

I ask people all the time what they got their college degree in and am continously amazed at how often the degree has nothing to do with their current occupation. Like the PR major I met yesterday who owns a travel agency. The advice that "people are more interested in the fact that you got a degree than in what field you studied" is accurate. A degree implies a certain amount of work and "discipline of mind" that can be applied to numerous endeavors.

Also the advice that a degree in history can be a stepping stone to further study is true. I once talked to the dean of a seminary who told me that they frequently sought out people with degrees in business and mathematics and other areas becasue of what they brought to the study of religion. I knew of a man who got his undergraduate degree in math and then went to get his Masters in art. One of his instrctors made him come up with a mathematic formula for all of his paintings before starting to paint. It ended up being a fascinating study for everyone in the class simply because this student with an unusual background brought something new to the subject.

Of course, the old joke is, "What do history majors say when they get into the job world?"

"Would you like fries with that?"

Truth is, what you do with your degree is entirely up to you.

[Treyser]

Twitter where do you plan on getting your masters in archaeology?