Careers by Major - Historical Studies

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Careers for graduates

There are many different career options available for graduates of History, History of Religion, and Classical Civilizations.  Below is a sample of types of positions available to graduates. 

The careers listed below have been organized into two sections.  The first section lists positions applicable to all history graduates.  The second section is a list of careers that might be of interest to students in specific programs of study, while still being applicable to all Historical Studies disciplines.  Careers that appear under a particular historical studies program (ie. Classical Civilization) are still applicable to all historical studies students.  However, programs such as Classical Civilization have academic requirements (mandatory courses) that result in students acquiring more academic background for certain career areas. 

Visit our Women & Gender Studies and/or Diaspora & Transnational Studies (coming soon) Careers by Major pages to discover related career options.  Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience.

  • Acquisitions Editor
  • Advertising Copywriter
  • Advertising & Promotions Manager
  • Antique Dealer*
  • Archivist*
  • Arts Administrator*
  • Bank Customer Services Rep*
  • 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*
  • 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
  • Immigration Officer*
  • Investment Advisor*
  • 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
  • Teacher / Professor*
  • Technical Writer*
  • Title Searcher*
  • Tourism Consultant
  • Training Specialist
  • Underwriter

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

Note: career profiles for many of the above jobs are available in the Career Centre. Those marked with an asterisk(*) can be viewed using Career Cruising, a Cdn. electronic career guide available in the Centre

Potential employers

  • 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

Skills developed by historical study majors

Communication Skills:

  • Understanding of history and development as it applies to nations/ groups of people
  • Understanding of cultural diversity
  • Ability to formulate and defend positions
  • Ability to mediate in disputes and conflicts
  • Ability to listen objectively
  • Write detailed research papers
  • Summarize concepts and ideas
  • Adapt vocabulary to suit a wide variety of audiences
  • Read and understand primary sources
  • Oral presentation skills
  • Ability to adapt in cross-cultural settings

Problem Solving Skills:

  • Decision-making
  • Reason logically
  • Critical thinking

Organizational Skills:

  • Manage multiple priorities during peak times during the academic year
  • Application of theoretical knowledge in practical settings (e.g., via internships)

Research Skills:

  • Attention to detail
  • Critical analytical skills
  • Examining evidence
  • Editing skills
  • Evaluate ideas and research
  • Gather information and data
  • Literature reviews using libraries and internetInterpret research and data

Sample job listings for graduating students/recent graduates

Below is a sample of the types of positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre for graduating students or recent graduates. Some of these job opportunities are taken out from Employer Directories which can also be found at the Career Centre.

  • Coordinator, Public Affairs, Toronto International Film Festival
  • Sales & Editorial Representative, Nelson Education Ltd.
  • Historical Interpreter, City of Toronto: Parks, Forestry and Recreation
  • Local Immigration Partnership Manager, Catholic Crosscultural Services
  • Scriptwriter, On-Hold Marketing Inc.
  • Municipal Affairs Reporter, NRU Publishing Inc.
  • Tour Consultant, Safeway Tours
  • Events and Sponsorship Coordinator, Bunch
  • Community Resource Specialist, East Scarborough Storefront
  • Life Underwriter, State Farm Insurance
  • Customer Care Representative, Ministry of Government Services
  • Student Service Recruiting Admissions Assistant, U of T Regis College Filmed Content Librarian, E1 Entertainment
  • Analyst – Writer, MacPhie & Company Inc.
  • Personal Assistant, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea, Toronto
  • Coordinator – Volunteerism & Diversity, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
  • Museum Curator, Dartmouth Heritage Museum
  • Researcher, The History Group Inc.
  • Technician -  Greek & Roman Collections, Royal Ontario Museum
  • Editor, Popular Book Company (Canada) Ltd.
  • Account Coordinator, News Marketing Canada
  • Customer Liaison, Federal Publications Inc.
  • Itinerant Settlement Worker, Catholic Crosscultural Services
  • Communicator / Researcher, Immigroup Immigration Services
  • Marketing Assistant, Prep101

Don't forget about U of T Mississauga alumni!

Check out our Alumni Profiles page, to read profiles of UTM alumni who have studied in this area, find out about their career path and how their experiences have affected their career direction.

How to get experience

Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time and volunteer opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want. Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online.

Summer positions

  • Collection and Information Assistant, Multicultural History Society of Ontario
  • Researcher (Documentary Films), Oyster Media, Inc.
  • Assistant Teacher, Ontario Literacy and Numeracy Association
  • Community Outreach, Toronto Environmental Alliance
  • Exhibit and Programming Assistant, Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum
  • Toronto Harbour Tours Sales Agent, Toronto Harbour Tours Inc.
  • Development Coordinator, Egale Canada Human Rights Trust

Part-time positions

  • Writing Skills Initiative Teaching Assistant, Ryerson University
  • Tour Guide, MarketVision Real Estate Corporation
  • Event Assistant, Managing Matters
  • Market Research Coding Clerks, Consumer Vision Ltd.
  • Historical Researcher, Public History Inc.
  • Anti-Racism Coordinator, UTM – Students Union
  • Event Coordinator, Toronto Sport and Social Club
  • Administrative Assistant, Klingbaum Barkin LLP
  • Customer Service Rep, Jam Van Inc.
  • Video Archive, Toronto Alpha
  • Gallery Attendant, Oakville Galleries
  • Debate Coach, Mississauga Advanced Multi-Speciality Clinic

Work-Study positions - previous postings have included:

  • Editorial Assistant (Historic-Religious), UTM Historical Studies
  • Career Assistant, UTM Career Centre
  • Student Exhibition Coordinator, UTM Blackwood Gallery
  • Community Outreach Assistant, UTM Department of Psychology
  • Petitions & Examinations Assistant, UTM Office of the Registrar
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Project Assistant, UTM Student Housing & Residence Life
  • Research Assistant (Archival), UTM Historical Studies

Volunteer positions

  • Resource Center Assistant, Polycultural Immigrant & Community Services (PICS)
  • Toronto Public Library – Volunteer Tutor, Toronto Public Library
  • Volunteer Site Supervisor, Working Women Community Centre
  • Recruiter Volunteer, Chernobyl Foundation
  • Consumer Marketing Representative, Rayku
  • Program Fulfillment & Shipping Assistant, Trees 4 Life Canada
  • Front Desk Reception, Museum of Inuit Art
  • Community Promotions Liaison, Girls Gardens

Extern Job Shadowing Program

UTM's Research Opportunity Program (ROP) allows students in their second and third year to earn one full course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. Check the ROP website for information about the program including application deadlines.

Professional associations

Each industry has affiliated associations. There are many benefits of becoming a member of an association, such as stating your affiliation on your resume.  In addition to your experiences and the completion of your university degree, a student membership in an association is one way to get an edge in the job market.  It also furthers your knowledge of a particular field.

http://www.cha-shc.ca The Canadian Historical Association/Société historique du Canada Canadian (CHA/SHC)

“The CHA/SHC is a bilingual scholarly organization dedicated to research in all fields of history. The CHA/SHC oversees a vigorous publication program; it lobbies governments, archives, and museums in Canada and elsewhere on issues relating to the preservation and availability of historical records; it organizes an annual conference in which historians showcase their research; it supports graduate students pursuing degrees in history; and it offers a number of prizes to recognize and promote excellence in historical scholarship.  The CHA/SHC is open to anyone with an interest in history.”

http://cac-scec.ca/wordpress/index/ The Classical Association of Canada (CAC)

“The CAC is a national non-profit organization which aims to advance the study of the civilizations of the Greek and Roman world, their later influence, and their creative presence in modern culture. The Association works to promote the teaching of classical languages and civilizations in Canadian schools, colleges and universities, the publication of research in classical studies, and public awareness of the contribution and importance of classical studies, and liberal studies in general, in Canadian education and life.”

http://www.iahr.dk/iahr.html International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR)

“The IAHR seeks to promote the activities of all scholars and affiliates that contribute to the historical, social, and comparative study of religion.  As such, the IAHR is the preeminent international forum for the critical, analytical and cross-cultural study of religion, past and present.” Two Canadian societies are affiliates/members of the IAHR: the Canadian Society for the Study of Religion (CSSR) and the Quebec Society for the Study of Religion (QSSR).

http://www.museums.ca The Canadian Museums Association (CMA)

“The CMA is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector.  The CMA has nearly 2,000 members, and supports them with training and professional development programs, conferences, publications, networking opportunities, a body of knowledge, and a dedicated staff.  CMA members include non-profit museums, art galleries, science centres, aquaria, archives, sport halls-of-fame, artist-run centres, zoos and historic sites across Canada. They range from large metropolitan galleries to small community museums.”

http://archivists.ca The Association of Canadian Archivists (ACA)
ACA is a non-profit organization representing English-speaking archivists.

“The ACA is a federally incorporated, not-for-profit association representing over 600 archivists across Canada.  Their mission is to provide the archival profession leadership and to facilitate an understanding and appreciation of Canada’s archival heritage.”

Resources

Career Centre Library resources

  • Career Cruising
  • Careers for History Buffs & Others Who Learn From The Past
  • Top Careers for Art Graduates
  • Great Jobs for History Majors
  • Careers for Bookworms & Other Literary Types
  • What You Can Do With An Arts Degree
  • What to Do With A History or Political Science Degree
  • Great Jobs for Liberal Arts Majors
  • Careers for Writers & Others Who Have a Way with Words

Web links

UTM Career Centre Panel Packages

  • Career Panel Plus: Historical Studies (2010)
  • Diversity Matters: A Wealth of Career Opportunities (2008)
  • Alternatives to Teaching (2007)
  • Stagestruck: Careers in Theatre & Drama Studies (2006)

The Career Centre Resource Library is located in DV 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca

What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan. Check our Events Calendar regularly for upcoming career related events (we offer several networking events and panels throughout the year). Watch for our Get Experience Fair (held annually in September), the Graduate and Professional School Fair (held annually in late September or early October), and the Summer Job Fair (held annually in January).