| CAREERS FOR GRADUATES |
There are many different career options available for graduates of History, Religion, Classics and Women’s Studies. Your degree provides you with a variety of intellectual and applied skills that are valuable in a range of careers. The wide variety of careers that graduates have moved on to is a reflection of the diversity of skills gained through an undergraduate program. Involvement in extracurricular, volunteer and work experiences will also supplement your skills and focus them to a particular industry.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience.
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Museum and Art Gallery:
- Curator *
- Curator of Structures
- Historian *
- Archivist *
- Event Planner
- Heritage Assistant
- Historical Projects Coordinator
- Museum Assistant
- Tour Guide *
- Exhibit Designer *
- Museum Educator/Coordinator *
- Conservator *
- Arts Administrator *
- Antique Dealer *
- Appraiser *
Business and Industry:
- Corporate Trainer *
- Market Research Analyst *
- Underwriter- Insurance *
- Financial Analyst *
- Bank Management Trainee
- Business Systems Analyst *
- Human Resources *
- Coach *
- Auditor *
- Consultant *
- Event Planner/ Coordinator *
- Personal Financial Planner *
Other:
- Lawyer
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- Judicial Clerk
- Legislative Analyst
- Researcher *
- Lobbyist *
- Antique Dealer *
- Genealogist
- Project Manager *
- Mediator *
- Diversity Officer
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Communications:
- Historical writer
- Historical interpreter
- Proofreader
- Editor *
- Technical Writer *
- Sports Writer
- Communications Specialist *
- Public Relations Specialist *
- Journalist *
- Fundraiser *
- Publishing Sales Representative
- Copywriter *
- Radio/TV Producer *
- Community Relations Director
- Library Media Specialist
Government/Education/Non-Profit: - Foreign Services Officer *
- Professor *
- Public Policy Analyst *
- Teacher *
- Academic Counsellor
- Immigration Officer *
- Counsellor, social service agency
- Probation and Parole Officer *
- Customs Officer
- Educational Consultant
- Politician *
- Director of a Community Centre
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| 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 |
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WHO EMPLOYS HISTORICAL STUDY GRADUATES?
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- Museums and Art Galleries
- History Museums
- Art Museums
- Living History Museums
- Children's Museums
- Nature Centres
- College/University Museums
- Park Museums and Visitor Centres
- Science Museums
- National and Provincial Park Service
- Exhibit Areas
- Preservation Boards and Historical Societies
- Government and Community Organizations
- Business/Market Research Firms
- Universities/College/Schools
- Publishers
- Non-profit agencies
- International organizations (e.g., United Nations)
Employers of Museum and Art Galleries in Mississauga and Toronto:
- Bradley Museum
- Benares Historic House
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- The Museums of Mississauga
- The Royal Ontario Museum
- Art Gallery of Ontario
- Art Gallery of Peel
- Bata Shoe Museum
- CBC Museum
- Campbell House
- Casa Loma
- Markham Museum and Historical Village
- Canada Sport’s Hall of Fame
- Royal Botanical Gardens
- Collingwood Museum
- Defo Gallery
- The City of Mississauga Archives
- The City of Toronto Archives
- The Children’s Museum
- Textile Museum of Canada
- Oakville Galleries
- Tourism Toronto
- City of Toronto, Arts and Culture Centre
- Toronto Historical Places- torontowebsites.com
- Toronto Tours
- Toronto Historical Inns
- University of Toronto Historical Tours
- University of Toronto Libraries
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GOVERNMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR HISTORICAL STUDY GRADUATES
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The federal government hires historical studies graduates in different departments:
- Land claims researchers and advisors, Indian Affairs
- Historians, Department of National Defence and Parks Canada
- Curators and heritage conservationists for the federal museums and National Historic Sites
- Archivists, National Archives and departmental archives
- Park interpreters, National Historic Sites
- Writers, editors, researchers, research managers, communication officers, Various government departments and agencies
Examples of governmental departments and agencies include:
- Heritage Canada
- Parks Canada
- Department of National Defense
- National Capital Commission
- Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- National Film Board
- Canada Council
- Telefilm Canada
- Canadian Museum of Civilization
(Reference: Graduate Students’ Committee of the Canadian Historical Association,
www.cha-shc.ca/english/index.cfm)
Opportunities are posted on the Public Service Commission website:
www.jobs-emplois.gc.ca/menu/alljobs_e.htm, and are also posted on each department and agency website. By contacting their human resources personnel you can enquire about the qualifications and skills required for certain positions.
Federal Student Work Experience Program
For summer positions in the government (Public Service Commission of Canada), FSWEP is the primary vehicle through which federal departments and agencies recruit students for some 7,000 temporary student jobs each year.
There are also opportunities at the provincial and municipal levels of the government. For example, City of Mississauga’s site: www.mississauga.ca/portal/cityhall/mycitycareer
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SKILLS DEVELOPED BY HISTORICAL STUDY MAJORS
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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 internet
- Interpret research and data
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)
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| 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.
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Curator, Western Canadian History, Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation |
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Historical Interpreter, Toronto & Region Conservation Authority |
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Editor, Ontario History, Ontario Historical Society |
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Merchandising Operations Coordinator, News Marketing Canada |
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Event Coordinator, Independent Financial Brokers of Canada |
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Market Research Analyst, Millennium Research Group |
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Community Programming Manager, Interval House |
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Underwriter, State Farm Insurance |
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Writer/ Researcher/ Editor, Career Cruising |
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Human Resources Assistant, U of T, Human Resources |
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| Employment Services - To access full-time opportunities (for up to two years after graduation), you must first attend the “Now that I’m Graduating What’s Next” orientation. Drop by or call us at 905-828-5451 for more information. |
ALUMNI PROFILES DATABASE
Alumni Profiles is a searchable online database of personal profiles submitted by graduates from a wide range of degree courses offered at UTM. Check out what UTM grads have to say about their educational experience and how it has affected their job search, career goals and more...
http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/careers/alumni_profiles.html
Alumni Profiles
UTM Alumni Profile: Jennifer Rea
1992 English/History Specialist Graduate
Jennifer works as a Canadian Operations Manager for Kronos (a software development company). In this line of work, Jennifer says you need excellent communication and organizational skills, good people skills, and good leadership skills. You should be an independent worker, have solid business acumen, and be able to lead a team and develop staff.
View more detailed alumni profiles from UT Mississauga graduates online at http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/careers/alumni_profiles.html
Examples of other UTM Historical Studies alumni who work in different professions, include:
Karen Mather (pseudonym)- Specialist: History, Major: Religious Studies
Chaplain at a Catholic Secondary School, Dufferin-Peel
Renate Kellhammer- Major: History, Minor: Religion
Freelance Writer
Sonya Malcolm- Major: English, Minor: History
Communications Coordinator, Insurance Brokerage
Andrew Thexton- Specialist: History/ Political Science
Branch Operations Supervisor, Tantallon Public Library
Bruce Dust- Specialist: History/ Political Science
Conductor & Brakeman, CN Rail
Jennifer Butler- Specialist: History/ Political Science
Law Clerk, Loreto Little Morello
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| 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. |
| On-Campus Opportunities |
Off-Campus Opportunities |
Work-Study Program: the Work-Study program provides eligible U of T students with an opportunity to work on campus at U of T Mississauga/St. George during the academic year and gain academic/career related experience. Previous postings involving history/research have included:
Alumni Researcher, Electronic Research Assistant, Medieval France Researching and Indexing, Curatorial Research Assistant and Theatre Archivist. Click here for more info
Research Opportunity Program (ROP):
New ROP project titles for 2008-09 include "Numbers in Historical Narrative" and "The Cold War Declassified."
“ROP allows students in their second year (i.e. who have completed at least 4 credits but not more than 9) to earn one full course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. There is no final exam in this course, but students are expected to keep a journal and meet regularly with their supervisor and be evaluated in other ways deemed suitable by their supervisor. A general time commitment of 8 to 10 hours per week is required.” Click here for details
Internship Course in History (HIS498Y5)
Through a part-time, unpaid work placement, a limited number of advanced history students may enrol for field experience relating to expertise they have gained in the program. Placements are made at local libraries, historic sites and foundations, media outlets, and public and private institutions. Students perform 150 hours of unpaid work, typically spent as 3/4 of 1 day per week from mid-September to mid-April. For application to admission, contact the Department of Historical Studies before June 1.
Also, make sure you join the U of T Mississauga History Club! |
Examples of Summer/ Part-time positions
- Railway Heritage Museum
- Developer , Scarborough Eglinton Avenue Modernization project
- Day Camp Leader, Black Creek Pioneer Village
- Archives Technician, United Church/Victoria University Archives
- Library Assistant and Gallery Guide, Riverbank-Home of the Weir Collection
- Communications Officer, Oakville Galleries
- Museum Technician, Whitchurch, Stouffville Museum
- Historical Interpreter, City of Toronto
- Museum Program Staff, City of Toronto
- Education Assistant, City of Toronto
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Volunteer Opportunities |
Internships |
- Mississauga Heritage Foundation (http://www.heritagemississauga.com/ email: info@heritagemississauga.org ) - attends the annual UTM Volunteer Fair
Volunteer projects have included:
- Oral history transcription
- Staffing displays at events (i.e.: Canada Day, Heritage Mississauga Showcase)
- Research related activities
- Assisting with special events (Wine Tasting, Heritage Conference)
- General office assistance (membership mailings)
- Education; Delivering school programs
- York Quay Gallery Attendant, Harbourfront Centre
- Historical Interpreter, Scarborough Historical Museum
- Docent, The Bata Shoe Museum
- Historical Interpreter, Black Creek Pioneer Village
- Story Researcher/Recorder, MURMUR
- Historical Interpreter, Art Gallery of Ontario |
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| RESOURCES |
| Career Centre Library Resources: |
Career Centre Videos |
- Career Cruising, a Canadian Electronic Career Guide
- Great Jobs for History Majors
- Careers for History Buffs and Types
- What You Can Do With an Arts Degree
- Careers for Writers and Others Who Have a Way with Words
- Careers for High-Energy People & Go-Getters
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- Career Paths for Women's Studies students (2005)
- Careers in Activism (2005)
- Careers for Globetrotters- working abroad (2005)
- Careers in Writing and Communications (2004)
- Careers in the Foreign Service (2003)
- Focus on Publishing (2003)
- Careers in Film Industry (1998)
- Human Resources Panel of Speaker (2002, 2003)
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| Panel Packages: |
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Download these panel packages online:
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| 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 |
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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 out our Events calendar for upcoming career related events.
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 Back to Careers By Major Search Page |
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