Career Corner | History’s Advisers Provide More Career Planning for Students

The History Department’s new advising program provides more career planning and professional development for history majors and minors.

“While we know our students enter a number of careers after graduation, the fields of law, public history and museum studies, and secondary education have emerged as the top three career interests for our majors in the last few years,” said Dr. Michele Clouse, Associate Professor of History and former Director of Undergraduate Studies.

So faculty advisers were identified for those three areas. Three faculty members serving as advisers are available to all History majors and minors, affording students additional opportunities to pursue career-building within their chosen areas of interest.

The advisers offer focused advice and resources concerning specific professional career paths:

• Careers in public history and museum studies: Clouse serves as the professional adviser for careers in public history and museum studies. History major and minors interested in careers or graduate work involving historical research, preservation, and education (whether at think tanks or museums) are encouraged to schedule an appointment to discuss on-campus resources and best practices in preparation for such a career.
• Careers or graduate work in education: Dr. Brian Schoen, Associate Professor & Assistant Chair of History, serves as the professional adviser for careers or graduate work in education (both primary and secondary). History majors and minors interested in elementary, middle, and high school education careers are encouraged to schedule an appointment to discuss on-campus resources and best practices in preparation for such a career.
• Careers in law and legal affairs: Dr. Kevin Uhalde, Associate Professor of History and Director of Undergraduate Studies, serves as the professional adviser for careers in law and legal affairs. He works closely with Larry Hayman, the university’s pre-law adviser, and maintains a website and calendar for law-related events. History majors and minors interested in law school and legal careers are encouraged to schedule an appointment to discuss on-campus resources and best practices in preparation for such a career.

As part of the department’s ongoing commitment to position its students for post-college careers, the department also is expanding internship opportunities, professional networking with alumni, and assistance with job and graduate school applications. The History Department is working closely with Ohio University’s Career and Leadership Development Center.

“The new advising structure in the History Department will better prepare history majors for the realities of 21st-century life and employment,” said Dr. Katherine Jellison, Professor and Chair of History. “While some history majors will ultimately become professional educators and scholars, others will seek employment in the legal profession, business, public history positions in parks and museums, and more. Our new advising structure is intended to meet those realities.”