Careers by Major - Historical Studies

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.

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

1. Sample Occupations and Jobs

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

1a. Sample Occupations

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

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

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

2. Program-Related Skills

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.

3. Explore Careers & Build Networks

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:

4. Get Experience

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

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

Internships, Summer, Part Time and Volunteer Positions

Check out our binders with detailed information on internships and volunteer opportunities; available in the Career Centre
Login to Career Learning Network (CLN) and click on Jobs to access current postings advertised to UofT students
Attend the annual Get Hired: Summer and Full-Time Jobs Fair
Consider taking an academic internship course through your department
Check out Government of Ontario - Job Programs for Youth
Review our Internships, Summer Employment Programs, and Summer Job Search tip sheets

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

5. Useful Resources & Next Steps

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

Attend a one-on-one appointment with a career counsellor or an employment strategist to discuss what career options might work for you and determine a job search plan.
Meet with an academic or departmental advisor, who can guide you in achieving academic success. Contact the Office of the Registrar or your department for more information.

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