Careers by Major - Historical Studies

 

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This program is offered through the Department of Historical Studies

Each Careers by Major page provides lots of ideas on various career areas, as well as how to gain related skills and experience. Useful resources and job samples are also provided.

Table of Contents 

1. Sample Occupations and Jobs
         1a. Sample Occupations
         1b. Sample Job Listings
         1c. Sample Areas of Employment
2. Program-Related Skills
3. Explore Careers & Build Networks
4. Get Experience
         4a. On-Campus
         4b. Off-Campus
5. Useful Resources & Next Steps 

 

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1. Sample Occupations and Jobs
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Below is a sample of the many types of occupations and jobs pursued by graduates of this program.

1a. Sample Occupations

 
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Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Detailed career profiles are available in the Career Centre. Some occupations require further education and experience.

  • Acquisitions Editor
  • Advertising Copywriter
  • Advertising & Promotions Manager
  • Antique Dealer
  • Archivist
  • Arts Administrator
  • Biographer
  • Border Services Officer
  • Career Development Professional
  • Chief Administrative Officer
  • Child and Youth Worker
  • Civil Litigator
  • Community Outreach Worker
  • Communications Specialist
  • Conservator
  • Consumer Credit Manager
  • Crime Prevention Coordinator
  • Cultural Tour Guide
  • Curator
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Customs Broker
  • Demographer
  • Diversity Officer
  • Director of a Community Centre
  • Documentarian
  • Event Planner
  • Exhibit Designer
  • Financial Researcher
  • Foreign Service Officer
  • Fundraiser
  • Heritage Interpreter
  • Historian
  • Historical Projects Coordinator
  • Tourism Consultant
  • Training Specialist
  • Immigration Officer
  • Investment Advisor
  • Insurance Underwriter
  • Judicial Clerk
  • Lawyer
  • Legal Assistant
  • Librarian
  • Lobbyist
  • Management Consultant
  • Manager of Customer Relations
  • Manager of Volunteer Resources
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Museum Technician
  • Operations Manager
  • Paralegal
  • Political Aide
  • Post-Secondary Education Administrator
  • Project Manager
  • Promotions Manager
  • Public Policy Analyst
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Publishing Sales Representative
  • Radio/TV Research Assistant
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Records Management Technician
  • Reporter
  • Social Media Specialist
  • Social Policy Researcher
  • Sports Writer
  • Student Life / Residence Coordinator
  • Professor
  • Teacher
  • Technical Writer
  • Title Searcher

Classical Civilizations

  • Archaeologist
  • Art Dealer
  • Casting Director
  • Computer Programmer
  • Editor
  • Lexicographer
  • Print Journalist
  • Scriptwriter / Screenwriter
  • Set Designer
  • Speech-Language Assistant
  • Stage Manager

History

  • Aboriginal Liaison
  • Conservation Officer
  • Genealogical Services Specialist
  • Interpretive Naturalist
  • Land Agent
  • Speech Writer
  • Sustainability Specialist

History of Religions

  • Curriculum Specialist
  • Interfaith Minister
  • Media Analyst
  • Mediator / Conflict Resolution Specialist
  • Religious Worker
  • Settlement Worker
  • Writer
  • Publisher
  • Proofreader

1b. Sample Job Listings

 
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Below is a sample of delisted positions that have been posted on U of T's Career Learning Network (CLN). To access current listings, login to CLN and click on Jobs

  • Historical Interpreter, Parks, Forestry & Recreation, City of Toronto
  • Coordinator, Public Affairs, Toronto International Film Festival
  • Municipal Affairs Reporter, NRU Publishing
  • Customer Care Representative, Ministry of Government & Consumer Services
  • Student Exhibition Coordinator, Blackwood Gallery, UTM
  • Coordinator - Volunteerism & Diversity, Toronto and Region Conservation
  • Museum Curator, Dartmouth Heritage Museum
  • Researcher, The History Group
  • Technician - Greek & Roman Collections, Royal Ontario Museum
  • Editor, Popular Book Company
  • Historical Researcher, Public History Inc.
  • Gallery Attendant, Oakville Galleries
  • Research Assistant (Archival), Department of Historical Studies, UTM
  • Toronto Public Library - Volunteer Tutor, Toronto Public Library
  • Collection and Information Assistant, Multicultural History Society of Ontario

1c. Sample Areas of Employment

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  • Museums and art galleries
  • Universities and colleges
  • Boards of education
  • Casting agencies
  • Public relation firms
  • Shelters, drop-in centres, and community centres
  • Exhibit design companies
  • Science centres
  • Parks, nature centres and world heritage sites
  • Preservation boards and historical societies
  • Financial institutions
  • Publishing houses
  • Production companies
  • Newspapers and magazines
  • Cultural organizations
  • Advertising companies
  • Government and legal agencies
  • Government, private and religious archives
  • Non-profit agencies
  • Inter-religious dialogue organizations
  • Self-employed/freelance
  • Mediation firms

 

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2. Program-Related Skills
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Academic courses in this program provide opportunities to develop the following types of skills.Make a career counselling or an employment strategy appointment to discuss how you can demonstrate these skills to employers.

  • Communication: clear and persuasive speaking and writing; the formulation and defence of an informed opinion; and adaptation to new cultural settings.
  • Research: finding and selecting good sources of information; attention to detail; evaluation of ideas and opinions; analysis of complex systems; understanding how history has shaped people and their environments.
  • Problem-solving: critical thinking; evidence-based decision-making; logical reasoning; and a flexibility to take multiple perspectives.
  • Organizational: the ability to complete complex tasks; independent learning; team work; and leadership.

 

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3. Explore Careers & Build Networks
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Career Exploration 101

Take our 15 minute online module. Gain access to UTM's career exploration programs:

Informational Interviews

Informational interviews are a great way to connect with professionals in a career area of interest and gain valuable insights about a particular career, company, or industry that would otherwise be difficult to find in books or online. Check out our tip sheet to learn more.

Alumni Profiles

Check out our Alumni Profiles page with submissions from UTM grads to find out how their experiences have affected their career direction.

Events

Attending career panels, networking events, employer info sessions, and career fairs is a great way to meet professionals and learn more about careers, companies, and industries. Login to CLN and click on Events & Workshops to see what's coming up.

Talk to Professors

Connecting with your professors can be a great way to explore the different paths a major can lead you to, as well as learn about possible opportunities for research, volunteering, or becoming a TA. Drop by during their office hours or request an appointment.

Student Organizations

Join a student club or an academic society at UTM to meet like-minded people, explore your interests, and make valuable connections. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Centre for Student Engagement's website. Some organizations you may consider are:

  • Historical Studies Society at UTM
  • UTM Women's Centre
  • Political Science & Pre-Law Association
  • UTM Global Brigades

LinkedIn

Create a LinkedIn profile to connect with professionals in various fields, explore the career paths of UTM alumni, research employers, apply for specific positions, and more. Need help? Come to the Career Centre to book a LinkedIn profile critique.

Professional Associations

There are many benefits of becoming a member of association(s), such as developing a network of contacts, learning about industry trends, accessing industry-related job postings, and stating your affiliation on your resume. Some associations related to this major are:

 

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4. Get Experience
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Get some experience and exposure to the industry while being a student. This will increase your chances of finding a job after graduation, while helping you decide what area might be most suitable for you.

4a. On-Campus

 
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On-Campus Opportunities Booklet

Check out the On-Campus Opportunities booklet to view a list of some of the ways you can get valuable experience on campus.

Work Study Positions

The work study program provides eligible students with an opportunity to work on campus during the academic year and gain experience. Many departments use this program to hire UTM students during the Fall/Winter and Summer terms.

Part Time and Volunteer Positions

  • Attend the annual Get Experience Fair 
  • Check out our binder with detailed information on volunteer opportunities; available in the Career Centre
  • Learn about the Co-Curricular Record (CCR), which can help you find opportunities beyond the classroom and have your skills and experiences captured on an official document

Student Organizations

Joining any student club or academic society at UTM is a great way to gain valuable skills and expand your resume. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Centre for Student Engagement's website.

4b. Off-Campus

 
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Internships, Summer, Part Time and Volunteer Positions 

Full Time Positions

  • Networking is an essential element of job search today, as most jobs are not advertised. While you should still apply for positions you find online, building relationships with professionals is a proven way to access the 'hidden job market' with some of the most desirable opportunities. Attend the "Learn to Network" workshop to discover proven techniques to effectively introduce yourself and make contacts.
  • Login to CLN and click on Jobs to access current postings advertised to graduating students and recent U of T grads. Note: You must attend the "Now That I'm Graduating, What's Next?" workshop to gain access to these postings.
  • Attend the annual Get Hired: Summer and Full-Time Jobs Fair
  • Check out our list of industry-specific job boards

 

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5. Useful Resources & Next Steps
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Career Resource Library

The Career Resource Library contains information about a wide range of occupations in all industries, resume and cover letter resources, effective work search methods, graduate/professional school preparation guides and more.

Appointments

Career Planning by Year

Visit our Career Planning by Year page for ideas of important career related activities for each year. You can visit us in the Career Centre to find out more about career areas that interest you.

Additional Web Resources


Updated August 2023