Career Planning Guide for History Majors at Shippensburg University
As a History major, you should take charge of your college education. You should actively seek out new opportunities and experiences
inside and outside the classroom, on campus and off campus. Use this checklist as a starting point for an ongoing conversation with your
History Department advisor about your goals and interests. Keep it up to date and bring it with you when you meet with your advisor.
For First Year Students
_____ Get to know your faculty advisor. Within the first two weeks of classes, stop by and introduce yourself. For students pursuing the
BSED, you should also set up a meeting with your BSED advisor. Students pursuing the Public History concentration should set up a
meeting with the Public History program coordinator.
_____ Get involved in at least one campus activity. This is a great way to meet people and develop new skills. It does not matters what
activity you do, but do something. Be sure to check out the History Club. Keep looking until you find the organization that is right for you.
_____ Attend the fall and spring advisement workshops sponsored by the History Department.
_____ Attend at least one campus speaker on a topic of interest to you.
_____ All History majors should contact the Shippensburg University Career Center and complete a self-assessment inventory to learn
more about your skills and interests.
_____ Go to your World History professor’s office hours and introduce yourself. Mention that you are a History major.
_____ Explore summer, part-time, and/or volunteer position that will help you learn more about the field of History and potential
occupations for History majors. For students pursuing the Public History concentration, you will want to begin volunteering at an archive,
museum, historic site, or historical society.
_____ Discuss with your advisor the possibility of developing a research interest of yours into an undergraduate research project for your
sophomore year. See the History Department website for additional information.
_____ Begin exploring study abroad opportunities. Discuss with your advisor how study abroad might fit into your college career.
_____ Consider possible minors that could complement the History degree.
_____Begin a professional portfolio where you can save your work and document your professional skills and accomplishments.
Second Year Students
_____ Talk with your advisor about study abroad opportunities. If interested, set up an appointment with the International Programs office.
_____Bachelor of Arts students should talk to your advisor about internships, and attend a department internship information session to
learn more about doing an internship. Also, see the History Department website for information.
_____ Begin participating in career-related workshops and programs offered by the Career Development Center.
_____ Set up an appointment with the Career Development Center staff to create a professional resume and cover letter.
______Attend job and internship fairs sponsored by the university. Bachelor of Arts students should review the American Historical
Association’s “Careers for Students of History” at http://www.historians.org/pubs/careers/index.htm.
_____Consider declaring a minor that will complement your career goals. Even if you do not decide to declare a minor, consider taking
some classes to develop new skills, such as a foreign language or computer skills. Students interested in law careers should consult with the
campus pre-law advisor.
_____ Conduct a co-curricular research project with a faculty mentor. Explore opportunities to share your research in campus and offcampus venues.
_____ Take a leadership role in a campus organization or club.
_____ Continue to getting to know your professors by visiting them during office hours and introducing yourself.
Mid-Career Students
_____ Update your resume and cover letter regularly as you do new activities and gain new skills.
_____ If you are a Bachelor of Arts student, this is the time to do an internship to gain professional work experience. If you are in the
Public History concentration, an internship is required. See the History Department website for more information.
_____ If you are thinking about attending graduate school after college, this is a good time to start exploring programs and learning about
their application requirements and deadlines. See the American Historical Association’s “Navigating the Graduate Admissions Process” at
(http://www.historians.org/Perspectives/issues/2009/0912/0912gra1.cfm).
_____ Conduct a co-curricular research project with a faculty mentor. Explore opportunities to share your research in campus and offcampus venues. Explore opportunities for publishing your research.
_____ Begin asking professors, employers and advisors to serve as references for employment and internship applications. If you are
applying to graduate or professional school, ask professors if they will write letters of recommendation for you.
_____ If possible, undertake a study-abroad experience.
_____ Continue to be active in extra-curricular activities. Participate in organizations at the state, regional, or national level.
_____ Prepare to take any necessary graduate school professional entrance exams (such as the LSAT, MCAT, GRE, MAT). You will need
to contact programs where you intend to apply for admission, or review their websites, to learn what exams are required.
_____ Set up an appointment with your advisor to discuss your plans for your final year at the university and your post-graduation plans.
This meeting should be in addition to the brief meeting where you discuss scheduling your classes.
Students Completing Their Last Year as History Majors
____ Update your resume and cover letter to reflect your new activities and any new skills you have developed.
_____Discuss with your advisors or professors about opportunities for co-curricular research, presentations at professional meetings, or
publishing your original historical research.
_____Bachelor of Arts students might consider pursuing a second internship.
_____ Establish a credentials file with the Career Development Center to share with employers or graduate schools.
_____Continue to build your professional network through involvement in professional organizations, co-curricular organizations, and
informational interviews with alumni, friends, and family members.
____ _Early in your final year, talk with the counselors at the Career Development Center about how to organize and conduct a successful
job search, or how to apply to graduate school (be aware that most graduate schools only accept applications once or twice per year).
_____Revise a high-quality piece of your writing to use as a writing sample for graduate school applications.
_____ Make sure there are no inappropriate photographs or comments that can be viewed on social networking sites. Make sure that the
telephone number you use for resumes and cover letters has a professional-sounding message.
_____ Set up an email address that can be used after graduation. Include that address on your resumes and cover letters, and share it with
your advisor, the History Department, and faculty serving as professional references.
_____ Perfect your resume or C.V., portfolio, and cover letter. Give copies of your resume or C.V. to individuals serving as a reference for
you. You will also want to assemble suitable attire to wear to professional interviews.
_____Begin applying and interviewing for jobs and/or graduate school. If seeking employment, participate in the on-campus interviewing
program through the Career Center. Attend job fairs, internship fairs and/or graduate school fairs to learn about opportunities.
After Graduation
_____Keep in touch with your advisor and professors, especially individuals who you are using as professional references.