Graduating college soon...what next?

[techforums]

My former boss graduated with a history degree. He spend two years at the peace corp then got accepted to graduate school in Scotland.

 

[chipy]

My former boss graduated with a history degree. He spend two years at the peace corp then got accepted to graduate school in Scotland.

beat me to it. i think the Peace Corps would be a great opportunity for you OP. i almost did this myself. you love history so why not go work in a part of the world that needs some help, learn their culture and language, and you can share this with others when you come back... if you decide to go to grad school and teach later, this is something you can treasure and share with others. you get paid, get job experience in another country, and i think it even gives you some preferability if you wanted to work for the fed government. but if not, it should look good on your resume/application for grad school.

don't listen to some of these naysayers. i'm glad you studied something you liked - that's the way it should be... now you just have to find a job that can utilize your knowledge. look hard enough and i think you'll find it. good luck!

http://www.peacecorps.gov/

 

[HybridSquirrel]

I would go to grad school ONLY if you can get an assistantship that will pay your tuition + a stipend. There's no point in getting yourself in a lot of debt (or more debt) if it's in a field where you can only make about ~$35k/year with a masters degree.

If you can't get an assistantship, I'd either get a different undergrad degree (at least you have all of your electives covered) or start applying to generic management programs that don't care what kind of bachelors you have.

I could make 35k with my BA if I get a teachers certification with it (1 course). I was looking at those assistantships and most places were I looked were only eligible if you were a resident in that state (tax reasons I assume).

Is there some way of qualifying as independent from your parents in the meantime? If they aren't affiliated with your finances, then you might stand a chance of getting some financial aid, though I've got no idea how that sort of thing works out.
Talk to the counselors at college?

My experience with historians:
- Professor for World History 001.
- Portrayals of them on Stargate.:sneaky:

Idk about qualifying as an independent. They are signed on my lease right now (student subsidized housing), and were signed on my loans when I had them. Problem is, my parents are both divorced and remarried, and their combined income (from all 4 parents) is 200-250k so I don't qualify (my brother just got denied when they co-signed his loans). My dad has terrible credit, which I somehow inherited thanks to our clever banking system, and I can't even get approved for a pre-approved college credit card. Don't even get my started on the advisors in my department. I've talked to 5 this past week. 4 of them said to do whatever I want (literally in those words). The fourth gave me some good tips on resume building and to just call up HR departments and submit it, and keep trying for internships. He didn't give me any info on grad school, and the people at our "career services" center are just students who get hired to help you make a resume.


I like the idea of the peace corps, but I am not a very charitable person.

 

[GrumpyMan]

Since you are passionate about History, why don't you write or make documentaries about it? You know like biographies, novels, screen plays, books, short stories, fiction based on true events (like Hollywood does). Hell you could even rap about it, j/kidding. The History channel is looking for some new stuff.

 

[Leros]

Since you are passionate about History, why don't you write or make documentaries about it? You know like biographies, novels, screen plays, books, short stories, fiction based on true events (like Hollywood does). Hell you could even rap about it, j/kidding. The History channel is looking for some new stuff.

And just how is he suppose to finance that? That's a stupid idea.

 

[QuantumPion]

There's 3 things you can do with a degree in history:

• Teach history. Be glad you aren't as dumb as the education majors (boy are they dumb as a box of rocks or what. At least you have that going for you).

• Work here.

• Use your completed degree as a stepping stone to get a job in a completely unrelated field that requires a generic college degree. E.g. social worker, human resources, IT perhaps if you get training, etc.

 

[IcePickFreak]

I'll say I'm pretty clueless (cut here for out of context quote) where it could be applied so just throwing it out there. Since your in Colorado, what about working for the National Parks? Even if your degree didn't directly apply to the position, I'd think a background on history would certainly apply (not so much the minor) and I could think of far, far worse jobs. Personally I think it'd be a killer gig if it pays half-way decently. Not sure if new positions are regularly available but may be worth looking into.

 

[roguerower]

poli sci to get into the Navy. WHY!?

5yrs w/a BS MechE in the Army and he;s still a 2nd LT?! WTF??!?!

Army:
2nd LT for ~1.5yrs max. Auto promotion to 1st LT else get booted from Army.
~4yrs (max) after that is Captain. Altho not automatic, it's rubber stamped.
At the 10yr mark if you;'re not a Major, it's time to quit and be a civilian contractor for the govt. you've been pigeon holed as a capt for life.

Sorry, should have clarified. It took him 5 years to get the degree. He's only been in the service since we graduated this May.

As for the pilot, you need a degree to be an officer. He was Gen. Engineering his freshman year and had a 3.9 at the end of the year. Didn't like the program and decided to do something he was interested in, HOWEVER, he already had a plan for what he wanted to do with his life.

Everyone posts here as if every single person knows exactly what they want to do while in college and when they graduate. That simply isn't true. I graduated in 2008 from grad school and knew what field I wanted to go into, but not what I really wanted to DO. I took my first professional position (which I got mainly through being able to interview very well). From there I got a better idea of what I wanted to do and changed jobs early this year.

My suggestion (other than joining the military which is something everyone should do) is to start randomly looking at hob descriptions on indeed.com or a similar site and find *activities* you would enjoy. Use that to find the positions that look interesting and start angling for them.

I knew what I wanted to do going into school, but shit happened and I had to re-evaluate my options and goals. Switched majors to BC, pulled my grades up and stayed active in sports. Got my first internship because of the Corps of Cadets and rowing and stayed with the company which gave me a second internship and then a job. Now I get to work in a job that I generally enjoy, although dealing with subs can be a pain in the ass.

Some people know what they want to do, and some people figure it out after a year or two. The ones who keep changing majors like their trading baseball cards are the ones that confuse me.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

I'll say I'm pretty clueless (cut here for out of context quote) where it could be applied so just throwing it out there. Since your in Colorado, what about working for the National Parks? Even if your degree didn't directly apply to the position, I'd think a background on history would certainly apply (not so much the minor) and I could think of far, far worse jobs. Personally I think it'd be a killer gig if it pays half-way decently. Not sure if new positions are regularly available but may be worth looking into.

I've been looking at government jobs (national parks included) I found out that a lot of the park rangers are retired teacher volunteers, and thats all they have open for hiring right now. Same with department of interior, state department, and state government positions just got reduced by 7% (7% the work force)

 

[chedrz]

As a fellow History major, here's what I'm doing (I graduate in May, too):

1. Teaching. I'm getting my Secondary Ed. certification so I can start paying off loans and whatnot. And I really want to teach.
2. Eventually going back to school. I'd like to teach/research/write at a university.
3. Apply for government jobs. As someone said earlier, NSA/FBI/CIA love History majors and pay well.

If you need more ideas, I'd suggest talking to the career center at your school and also some professors in your department that you get along well with. Get some advice from them, they've been in your shoes at one point or another.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

As a fellow History major, here's what I'm doing (I graduate in May, too):

1. Teaching. I'm getting my Secondary Ed. certification so I can start paying off loans and whatnot. And I really want to teach.
2. Eventually going back to school. I'd like to teach/research/write at a university.
3. Apply for government jobs. As someone said earlier, NSA/FBI/CIA love History majors and pay well.

If you need more ideas, I'd suggest talking to the career center at your school and also some professors in your department that you get along well with. Get some advice from them, they've been in your shoes at one point or another.

Yeah, the career center at my school is pretty terrible, and the advisors aren't very much better. They just want to get you your degree and get you out. I should have gotten the teacher certification, its only offered in Fall at my school so I would have to wait. I will look into nsa/fbi/cia, I sent my info over to an Air Force recruiter just a little bit ago.

 

[Jaepheth]

Go to bars, go to driving ranges/ country clubs. Meet people and network. It's not what you know, it's who you know.

Also, spend a few hours a day sending out applications for any and all positions you're remotely qualified for.

 

[guyver01]

i dont know if anyone's said it yet, but Major in History/Minor in Anthropology is totally useless, unless you plan on:
(1) Teaching
(2) Working in a museum
(3) Staying at the supermarket.

 

[JMapleton]

I already answered that question? I wasn't going to suffer through college doing something I didn't like, and especially not something I was just not good at.

Then you'll suffer for the rest of your life being poor.

College is not to learn you passions, it's job training and you have to find a job that will fatten you wallet.

People like you clog up the education system trying to "find themselves."

College is JOB TRAINING, not a yoga retreat.

 

[Mo0o]

Any interest in the healthcare field? Lots of options available

 

[HybridSquirrel]

i dont know if anyone's said it yet, but Major in History/Minor in Anthropology is totally useless, unless you plan on:
(1) Teaching
(2) Working in a museum
(3) Staying at the supermarket.

i don't work there anymore =D....got fired for not paying my union dues.

 

[guyver01]

i don't work there anymore =D....got fired for not paying my union dues.

then.. check out

http://www.dmns.org/about-us/jobs

and if you get a job there... hook me up with passes!

 

[GrumpyMan]

And just how is he suppose to finance that? That's a stupid idea.

At least I'm throwing some ideas out there and not telling this guy what a waste his 4 years were. And your contribution to the thread is? Oh yeah, nothing, just a comment on a comment, now that's really stupid and petty. And your grammar is lousy, it's "supposed to finance that?", genius. :thumbsdown:

 

[Whisper]

I could make 35k with my BA if I get a teachers certification with it (1 course). I was looking at those assistantships and most places were I looked were only eligible if you were a resident in that state (tax reasons I assume).



Idk about qualifying as an independent. They are signed on my lease right now (student subsidized housing), and were signed on my loans when I had them. Problem is, my parents are both divorced and remarried, and their combined income (from all 4 parents) is 200-250k so I don't qualify (my brother just got denied when they co-signed his loans). My dad has terrible credit, which I somehow inherited thanks to our clever banking system, and I can't even get approved for a pre-approved college credit card. Don't even get my started on the advisors in my department. I've talked to 5 this past week. 4 of them said to do whatever I want (literally in those words). The fourth gave me some good tips on resume building and to just call up HR departments and submit it, and keep trying for internships. He didn't give me any info on grad school, and the people at our "career services" center are just students who get hired to help you make a resume.


I like the idea of the peace corps, but I am not a very charitable person.

I have yet to meet a graduate student who had to report their parents' income; it's a completely different process than undergrad, and lenders are generally much more willing (sometimes a little TOO willing) to give you money when going for an advanced degree. You won't get quite as much as a med or law student, but it should be more than enough to handle expenses.

Beyond that, I'd imagine that nearly all History Ph.D. programs are funded, which means you'd receive a tuition waiver/exemption and a stipend (usually in exchange for teaching and/or conducting research). Thus, the loans might not even be necessary. However, because of the financial assistance, doctoral programs can be exceedingly difficult to get into.

 

[RaistlinZ]

If you have an interest in foreign affairs or political science maybe you can try working in the Federal Gov with the Department of State. History major might be relevant to those jobs.

Decent pay, great benefits, and maybe the opportunity to travel.

 

[IcePickFreak]

Then you'll suffer for the rest of your life being poor.

College is not to learn you passions, it's job training and you have to find a job that will fatten you wallet.

People like you clog up the education system trying to "find themselves."

College is JOB TRAINING, not a yoga retreat.

I hate to agree with JMapleton, but this is the sad reality of the real world. You don't think we got to where we are today by having a workforce that's passionate about their field of work. We got there by loading it up with people chasing the dollar and stepping on whoever necessary along the way to get there. The bar for being "successful" for most people is directly related to how much money you make, nothing else.

That said, there's nothing wrong with taking the road less traveled and I'd even say it can be much more rewarding. Just expect it to be a rough ride, at least initially, and keep at it OP. The Peace Corp. actually sounds like a great idea for a history major and would probably be a great place to network and find other job possibilities - and you get some lifetime experiences to boot.

 

[Wheatmaster]

beat me to it. i think the Peace Corps would be a great opportunity for you OP. i almost did this myself. you love history so why not go work in a part of the world that needs some help, learn their culture and language, and you can share this with others when you come back... if you decide to go to grad school and teach later, this is something you can treasure and share with others. you get paid, get job experience in another country, and i think it even gives you some preferability if you wanted to work for the fed government. but if not, it should look good on your resume/application for grad school.

don't listen to some of these naysayers. i'm glad you studied something you liked - that's the way it should be... now you just have to find a job that can utilize your knowledge. look hard enough and i think you'll find it. good luck!

http://www.peacecorps.gov/

I was thinking the same thing. You learn all about history in your studies. Why not take advantage of an amazing opportunity to experience history in the making by partaking in the peace corps?

 

[IceBergSLiM]

move in with your parents and get a shitty job or peace corp or more school.

 

[krunchykrome]

Why did you major in History? I know 1 guy who majored in history; he even got a grad degree. Last time I saw him, he was working as a cashier at a store.

Honestly, I would get another degree or graduate degree in something business related.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

Why did you major in History? I know 1 guy who majored in history; he even got a grad degree. Last time I saw him, he was working as a cashier at a store.

Honestly, I would get another degree or graduate degree in something business related.

seriously? did you even read the thread?

At least I'm throwing some ideas out there and not telling this guy what a waste his 4 years were. And your contribution to the thread is? Oh yeah, nothing, just a comment on a comment, now that's really stupid and petty. And your grammar is lousy, it's "supposed to finance that?", genius. :thumbsdown:

I wouldnt say they are a waste...but i do appreciate you throwing out info. I might look into stuff for history channel, like being a consultant for programming? idk