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A career as a historian is an academic career through which an individual has the opportunity to explore various historical periods and make connections between individuals, the exchange of ideas, and the development of institutions throughout many time periods. Historians study recorded history and question the validity of how that history is represented based on its juxtaposition with actual documents from a specific time period. These documents are not limited to hand-written texts; they can also be pictures, magazine articles, technology, clothing, and other popular culture trends. This evidence is often viewed from a certain cultural perspective in order to shed new insights on the developments of the time period of study.
To be a historian typically requires an advanced degree in history. Historians tend to carry either a Masters degree or a PhD in the field. A Masters degree may take as little as a year to complete, but many are more rigorous and require two years of full-time graduate study, including the completion of a graduate thesis. PhD students are more likely to spend 3-4 years completing graduate coursework and then spend one to two years completing and defending a doctoral dissertation. The point of advanced study is to gain more insight on the methodology of writing from a historical point of view. Graduate study also offers hands on experience researching, writing, publishing, and presenting within the field.
While historians are more than likely to carry an advanced degree, it is not entirely necessary for a historian to teach at the university level. Historians can participate in think tanks, work in museums as curators and guides, work in government agencies, and even work in publishing fields. Often, historians are called to serve as representative voices for radio and television programs, where they have the opportunity to share their knowledge and perspectives on a certain time period.
The range in salary for historians varies depending on the kind of work the historian performs and the institution for which he or she works. Those working in museums can expect to be paid in the $35,000-$50,000 range. Those working for the government or in higher education have salaries averaging between $50,000-$100,000.
Although a career as a historian requires a rather rigorous academic background, it may be ideal for aficionados of historical trends and for those who are eager to make advancements in the field of historical studies.
