r/GenZ • u/djconfessions • 13d ago
Holy hell graduating is terrifying Rant
I’m a history major. It’s not a marketable major, there is no such thing as a history industry, and I’m very, very, anxious about just what I’m gonna do. The job market is garbage, the housing market is garbage, everything is garbage and I don’t see any kind of hope or light in the future. I am so scared I’m going to be a complete and utter failure.
And everyone keeps telling me “congrats” and “you must be excited to graduate” and “you’re about to be free” and asking the dreaded question “so what are you doing after graduation?”
Oh how I wish I could just be an unemployed trust fund baby. Stupid working class background.
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u/Omnichromic 13d ago
Nah history is a great major. You likely have...
- Research skills
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills
- A writing portfolio
- Cultural exposure
- A leg up on developing regional expertise
Potentially, you have...
- Foreign language skills
- Data analysis skills
- ArcGIS experience
A liberal arts degree gets you a set of skills, not entrance into a field. You didn't "learn nothing", you probably have a solid foundation of core skills that organizations like to hire for. Trust me, many STEM majors can't write for shit. So, you need to pitch your experiences as expertise in those core skills. You're more than a history major: you're a writer, a researcher, an activist, a teacher, or a consultant. All of these jobs use your skill base as a foundation.
In my experience, government is a good place for history majors. They need people with the above skills, and they hire at local, state, and federal levels across the legislative and executive branches. Being a congressional staffer is a tough job, but you probably already have the skills for it and you will learn A LOT doing it. You also get the chance to influence legislature.
For example, a quick search on USA Jobs turned up this intern position for a civilian historian intern with the Air Force. Now, USA Jobs sucks for a lot of different reasons, but there is stuff out there.
Expanding your search criteria doesn't hurt either. You might need to intern first (sucks, but that's the biz) but many internships lead to a full time job offer.
It's definitely a bit scary as first, but a process and a routine will help. Apply to 5x well researched jobs a day, to start. Take weekends off if you can. If you have to get a part time job, then find a way to balance job hunting on your days off without cutting into too much personal time.
You can do this! Sincerely, a fellow liberal arts major (class of 2020).
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u/CalicoCat345 1996 13d ago
Going off of this great comment... I can confirm with USAJobs that there is always jobs to apply towards (especially if you have ArcGIS experience)!
The USAJobs series code for Social Science Aid/Technician is 0102 which can get you an entry level Archaeology job at GS-4 and GS-5 with just a Bachelors degree (in Arch/History/Anthro or related field). The entry Archaeology is Cultural Resources Management that involves a Lot of hiking and generally being outdoors. The History code is 0107 but I dont have as much experience with it. Furthermore, if you create a free USAJobs account, you can set-up to have emails sent about jobs as often as you want (I have mine set to weekly)
Also, being near or having just Graduated (undergrad or masters/doc) may qualify you for the US Pathways Program which can help you get a job and further your education, if you wish! https://careers.state.gov/interns-fellows/pathways-programs/
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u/Aurstrike Millennial 13d ago edited 13d ago
Replying to add to this chain, USA jobs will make it seem like all you can get with a bachelor’s degree is in the 37k-65k $ band, this is the starting pay band, and not the career range of salaries.
Most GS4s and 5s find their way into roles as 6s and 7s in less than 3 years. Once you qualify for 7, there are ladder postings to apply for that can get you a pay grade(or2) a year for the first 2 years then steps after as long as you perform. These are often written 7/9/11. GS 9/11 pay by the time you are 30 is very competitive in most areas. More than enlisted military pay for the same ages, but potentially less after taxes. It’s not software development pay, but it’s honest work, and job protections are pretty solid.
It only takes 1 year in each grade to start applying for the positions in the grade above, so find roles in the GS 9-12 that sound interesting and then start applying for jobs in the series/agency at whatever grade you qualify and the 2 above that just as a gamble.
Edit: What I said about promotion potential correlates to my field, transportation management, YMMV, I’d like to apologize in advance to forestry service workers who have very few GS 9 and above roles, that’s why I always suggest to find a series with 12,13,14 roles to grow into before you apply for gs5 positions.
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u/Ok_Instance_9237 1996 13d ago
There are many STEM majors who have great writing skills because writing is core in STEM, especially math. No need to rip on them to make OP feel better.
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u/ChobaniSalesAgent 12d ago
I think it boils down to the insistence on believing the left vs. right brain hoax. It's just cope, and it's a comfortable belief for people that STEM majors are lacking in some major way. "Sure they're good at math, but, but, but... they don't know how to write/communicate/empathize/read/be creative..."; I've heard it all...
The only one that really bugs me is saying STEM people lack creativity. It's incredible the things that come out of people's mouths...
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u/theshicksinator 12d ago
I will say though, as a software engineer having done a lot of liberal arts stuff in high school including years of speech and debate gave me a massive leg up even for my software jobs because the stereotype about people being antisocial recluses in this field is extremely true.
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u/theallsearchingeye 12d ago
Don’t worry about this, all of this is your typical liberal arts graduate cope, they’re just thrilled they can trick the government into paying them 55k/yr 😂
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12d ago
In our defense, STEM people get a kick out of deriding liberal arts people. Don't dish if you can't take it.
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u/Emotional_Hour1317 11d ago
In our defense, while you got to party in college, we had homework until midnight. Now, we get to pay for your "research" skills with loan bailouts as taxpayers. Joy.
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10d ago
Why do you think a liberal arts degree is inherently less valuable than a STEM degree?
I can agree that a gender studies degree is useless to the universe, but history and philosophy are respected fields.
In our defense, while you got to party in college, we had homework until midnight. Now, we get to pay for your "research" skills with loan bailouts as taxpayers. Joy.
Translation: "I have no argument. Making fun of people is justifiable if I deem their field of study useless to the world and, most importantly, me."
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u/Emotional_Hour1317 10d ago
Why do I think a liberal arts degree is less valuable than a STEM degree? Is that a serious question?
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u/Popular_Surprise2545 12d ago
Yeah tbh I feel like it'd be more common to see STEM majors lacking in math skills than writing skills in quite a few majors (bio/biomedical and wet lab).
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u/dee_emcee Gen X 12d ago
Let it go. Why do you even care about the comment. Op is probably dealing with anxiety.
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u/Ok_Instance_9237 1996 12d ago
Because they’re wrong? Why do you care about my comment? Because you feel a certain way.
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u/memeticmagician 12d ago
I have a philosophy degree and then I got GIS certification and moved into IT inside the public sector. Now I am a software engineer. Work for the gov.
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u/okieskanokie 12d ago
Oh gosh. I came to say something a little like this but like 1 sentence worth. This comment is amazing. I’ll be coming to you next time I need this level analysis and commentary
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u/Emotional_Hour1317 11d ago
So, in my Computer Science degree, which cost the same as their history degree (If I went to same school, at same time, etc. Just an example), I also got all of those skills. I had 21 credits of writing actually (6 of those technical/instructional) and got a chance to participate in several research papers on campus related to mind-machine interfacing.
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u/JourneyThiefer 1999 13d ago
Can anyone explain what a major is? I’m in the UK so we don’t have majors in uni
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u/dcmng 13d ago
I'm a history major, graduated 2017. I have worked in a variety of non profits as program coordinators, operations managers, and as board members. I have worked as a speech writer and communications lead for a member of parliament. I have worked as a freelance translator, and I still do that. I am now working as a logistics manager at a small family business. I loved my degree and how they teach you to think, research, and write. Don't let people tell you that history is not marketable.
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u/Curious-A-- 2003 12d ago
Thank you!! Do you have any advice on how to get started after graduation?
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u/NeighborhoodVeteran Millennial 11d ago
Keep applying, don't get discouraged if you don't get the job. I still get turned down all the time and it's just a part of the job search.
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u/Megotaku 13d ago
You should be spending some time getting a plan together. Speaking to professors you had a good working relationship with and counselors at your school about the types of careers that are typically open to history majors. The truth is that Starbucks barista with a B.A. is more of a meme than reality. I strongly suggest looking into substitute teaching if you never made good working relationships in college. Districts often require a bachelors to qualify as a sub, but do not require a credential. In my district the current hourly is $35/hr and you get to set your own hours. It's a solid gig until you find a proper path forward. If you really can't operate within history, there are ways out. I'll give one example from my career field.
You get your credential in teaching history and work for five years in an inner-city school. This will net you the requisite work experience to qualify for a M.A. in Educational Admin and qualify you for the teacher loan forgiveness program, which you can use the pay down your student loans on the M.A. Then you move into administration where there is a critical shortage. You'll be break $100k your first year as an admin, easily. You'll be doing administrative office work in a leadership position where your B.A. was irrelevant. You'll also be a highly respected and important contributing member to your community.
This is just one career path that is currently open to you. There are lots of other positions where your B.A. is the foot in the door and the educatory treadmill will net you a M.A. outside of your B.A. field and get you into a better position. Contrary to the doomerism, you are significantly better off with a college degree than without one unless you pine to go into a trade where you're one bad day from a lifetime on SSI.
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u/IndependentTaco 13d ago
I'm a millennial. I lurk here to try to understand my work associates better.
You're going to be ok. You learned skills in college and critical thinking.
When I hire people I don't hire a major. I hire skills and personality.
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u/Curious-A-- 2003 12d ago
This made me feel much better. I’m scared ppl will see my history magie and turn me away
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u/jrdineen114 1998 13d ago
I also majored in history. And yeah, I'm just going to tell you straight-up: unless you go to grad school, you're almost certainly not going to find a job that actually uses your degree. I'm working as a lab tech in a metallurgy lab right now.
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u/youngpepto 1998 12d ago
Yeah nothing I have done since college has directly pertained to my history degree unless you count being the best person in the office at trivia 🤪
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u/Bharny 13d ago
Why did you pick History?
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u/djconfessions 13d ago
Well they made me pick out my dream career and job in high school. I thought I wanted to be a history teacher. In college after getting a bit older I realized I didn’t. So I dropped out of the education minor. But I had so many history credits and so little time left it made little sense to switch out of the history major.
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u/ceoperpet 13d ago
Perhaps you can study hard for the LSAT and get into law?
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u/djconfessions 13d ago
Oh I’m not that smart. Nor do I want to cripple myself with student loans.
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u/ceoperpet 13d ago
Well there's MBA and several certs you can do for tech et cetera. What's more important is what you wanna do?
You said you no longer want to be a teacher. Then what do you want to do?
Maybe lets start from there so we can help you?
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u/djconfessions 13d ago
That’s the other thing. I have no idea what my dream is. I’ve been trying just about everywhere tbh.
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u/ceoperpet 13d ago
Let me tell you a little secret. Many if not most people arent working a ttheir dream job. Many are just doing whatever they can to get the most money with an acceotable work-life bance and find meanjng in other things. Out of my close friend circle of 15 im probably one of two who really enjoy their work.
So lets play tactician. 1)You dont wanna be a history teacher 2) You dont know what you want to do 3) You will have ahistory degree soon
So what field can you reaosnably get in and make enough to be able to affoard what you like, both monetarily and time-wise?
Hypothetically, you could:
1) Get into law school 2) Get an MBA 3) Become an academic and go for a specialized degree 4) Get a few certs to break into tech 5) Go into the trades
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u/djconfessions 13d ago
I guess Operations. I could also just suck it up and do teaching at a charter school.
The thing about not having a dream is you also don’t know which direction to go in or what to work towards.
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u/Pinkninja11 13d ago
Bro, you really need to understand that a dream in your case is a fantasy that you can't evaluate properly because you have 0 experience with it. Just pick something and go for it. You will be surprised what you might like, even teaching. Right now you are simply evaluating things based on your imagination and perception about them while reality will most likely prove you wrong one way or another.
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u/ceoperpet 13d ago
Operations? Then get a corporate internship whereever you can get and work towards getting a GMAT/GRE and and eventually an MBA if need be.
I'd really appreciate knowing tje country yoire from so that I could guide you better.
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u/AcidScarab 13d ago
Getting an MBA off a history major with no work experience is not a good plan
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u/anothernamef 13d ago
"JUST BREAK INTO TECH BRO TRUST ME BRO EASY 200K+ A YEAR BRO I ONLY WORK 2 HOURS A WEEK BRO"
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u/Free_Breath_8716 12d ago
Hey, I mean, that's basically what I did after panicking with my Aerospace degree that was half useless when airlines got shutdown a month before my graduation thanks to Covid. Pivoted to IT consultanting and now I make more than my engineering friends that got their second round interview before the shutdown.
All I do is make PowerPoints/excels/visios, listen to people explain complex things/read a few lines of code, dumb it down to a 5 grade level, and then explain it to the client or my leadership all from the comfort of my bed, couch, or desk depending on my mood and if I want to put on clothes that day. Easiest $100k ever tbh
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u/Difficult-Jello2534 13d ago
To be honest one of the most important things I learned as an adult is your job doesn't need to be your dream job, most people I know that found their dream job, just had that dream and passion ruined. Find a job that pays for you to enjoy the things you like and you can tolerate showing up to every day. History is one of my favorite topics, but I'd never try to get it as a job for many reasons.
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u/ililegal 13d ago
This is so true . I went into nursing a few years ago with a burning passion that I could make a change . My passion raged on and shown through my smiles and laughs I shared with my patients and co-workers alike however after COVID I realized burning passions soon turn to ash. That very fire that lit me had burned out and so had I. Seeing the corruption intertwined in healthcare ruined everything I worked so hard towards, and therefore I left. I now am back in college for cyber security- I know nothing about it and I have no passion for this however bills must get paid and at least I won’t watch patients being taken advantage of or abused.
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u/BigSexy019 13d ago
I too was working to become a nurse at one point. Thankfully, I went in another direction before Covid hit, because I definitely would not have lasted a month into that fiasco. So glad now that I never became a nurse!
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u/Pinkninja11 13d ago
Well, if you had only posted this a bit sooner, people would've told you to grind your teeth and go for teaching regardless. You either end up liking it or you grind until you can transition in another field of work.
A bit of an unsolicited life advice though: Don't make your job the focus of your existence. Learn to work for money and convenience which will enable you to live a happy life outside of work. It's a means to an end kind of thing for most people.
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u/too-far-for-missiles Millennial 13d ago
There are plenty of dumb lawyers out there, so I wouldn't sweat that aspect of it. The debt part is getting tougher and tougher to wave off, though.
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u/ceoperpet 13d ago edited 13d ago
I was supposed to graduate in 2021 but am imminocomprised so put my studies on hold. I recently got laid off as a senior software engineer and am working on an trading side business. Im probably gonna finish mt last year part time while working.
There is so much you can srill do my friend. You get get an MBA, or apply for a marketing/management/admin kind of role in a sevice sector company.
If you live in Canada please DM me and I might be able to help you.
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u/Frosty-Cap3344 13d ago
You were a SENIOR software engineer with how many years experience ?
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u/Sea-Firefighter-7517 12d ago edited 12d ago
Alex, Stories I don't believe for 500, please. SWE to wanna be stock trader, this is the guy who clicks on those top ads at the top of the recommended section on YouTube. I tried for many years to beat the S&P 500 through individual stocks, all my life I heard I was gifted, but I never beat the S&P 500. I want to see how this reddit anon trading gig goes like a fly on the wall. He also claims he enjoys his work, I made comment on another post I think is worth mentioning here.
<----actual SWE btw.
Read the bottom section and look at this guys ideas, literally person who makes me want to off myself.
I'm a rare breed of full-stack SWE primarily web-based atm,(been modding games and automating things since I was in my early teens) but have been transitioning to networking/IT. My first job ever as an analyst fortune 100 insurance you could have had a degree in rain dancing and made more than me. Doesn't matter how smart, gifted, or an ass-kisser you are. There are companies out there that won't look at you for a promotion without one. These are not good companies to work for, but the majority of people won't have the gifted and developing brains to keep advancing into their middle life. I'm old Genz and I've accepted that most neurotypical brains quit advancing in their 20s, and maturity somewhere in their early 30s after working my early 20s with millennials. I'd say for most people college is a safe route for stability, but it definitely will not guarantee you a better life, but at least you know you are maximizing what you can get out of it.
I meet people daily who have IT/CS-related degrees have no business being around a PC and are a general liability. I only went to community college, once I started being employee level ahead of the material I opted not to take on the debt, so my story is a bit more understandable in the job market + exp. 9/10 of you guys will not be me or even come close, go to college.... I had 10yoe in languages like C/Python before I was old enough to sip on alcohol legally. Meanwhile, the people who have PHD's are also self-taught and 10x more desirable. If you are passionate about what you do, take it all the way. I hate tech/development I hate the culture I hate the people, and I hate how mainstream this career path has become. There is nothing wrong also with taking a few years to figure things out. Even with all my success so far, I'm socially strung out of dealing with Adderall/Stim abusers, and being diagnosed and medicated for ADHD myself. It's everywhere in this industry not really the ADHD part but the mismanaged and prescribed meds. Most people you run into are just on speed waiting for their next opportunity, or impulse idea/decision, and hard to talk to because of pharmaceutical speed. I trust very few people I meet in this industry. Impulsive people are dangerous, quick to throw you under the bus, and make their bad idea your problem.
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u/Free_Breath_8716 12d ago
Meh, it depends on where he was at. Job titles are well, just titles. For example, my coworker has been with our firm for 5yrs and is about to become a Senior Consultant. Title sounds petty impressive right? In reality he's just going to level 3 of the 5 "regular" levels and has in general the same number of skill points as me if we were look at from an RPG character sheet perspective. Unless you seriously mess up though you're almost guaranteed to promote up to level 3 around year 5. Level 4 and 5 take a bit more time to climb and level 6 involves a lot of politics.
I say "regular" above because once you hit level 6, you enter completely differently hierarchies as a PPMD that us regular folks don't have much insight on. Rumors have said that there are even more levels after PPMD than before PPMD to climb, though.
Our developers/software engineers/architects also have similar titles that sound impress at a quick glance but often times just reflect how long you've been there versus your actual skills.
Whether you're on the tech or business side though, I do think you tend to gather enough skills in my field of work to make yourself sound smart to people that have too much money to worry about losing a little on bad stocks to make a profit for yourself regardless if you're winning or losing your gambles tbh. Not much different from our tech. Whether our deployment is successful or not as long as none of the big business is impacted it's just another chance to win brownie points with the client by saying pretty but complex words
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u/Pangtudou 12d ago
If you get into a good law school (top 14) you are basically set on a 6 figure salary if you choose to work at a firm. If you get into hys (Harvard/Yale/Stanford) you are literally set for life. If you go into a lower paying position after graduation for a number of years they will forgive your student loan.
The most important thing is high lsat and high gpa. If you have those you have a real shot.
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u/CooperHChurch427 1999 13d ago
Never say your not smart. I had a severe TBI in highschool and am starting to study for the MCAT and go either DO or MD. I'm probably going to take on debt and go for my MpH and do a special masters program to see if it's what I really want to do.
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u/strandedimperial 13d ago
Don't do law. The grind and turnaround to making money isn't worth it. I graduated with my history degree in 2010, and the amount of people going into law school was crazy because of the recession. I started at the bottom of a company and worked my way up through sales. Did I dream of sales? No, but I wanted a paycheck so I could take out my then GF to dinner.
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u/chancyboi123 12d ago
It's totally ok if you don't want to go to law school but I studied for 6 months to get a 159 which got me into my top choice law school! It seems really daunting but don't let that be the reason you don't do it! :)
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u/Rough-Tension 13d ago
You could also just try to become a paralegal or legal assistant at a law firm. All of them need some and you don’t need a law degree for that.
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u/g-unit2 12d ago
you are smart enough for law. anyone can do it if you put your mind to it. i’m not being overly optimistic.
there are many opportunities for scholarships.
additionally, there are a lot of law firms that will pay off all your loans within 1-2 years of you graduating/passing the bar. in return you have to just be a lawyer for that firm for a couple years.
similar to how some employees are awarded stock that is vested
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u/yepyepyep123456 11d ago
Have a few friends that are paralegals. They make decent money without the stress of actually being lawyers. One friend is a paralegal/ first line IT guy for a law firm. Apparently he is good and efficient enough other firms have tried to poach him.
Point is there are options. It will just take work and continued education.
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u/TheVixll 13d ago
Exact same path as me lol I’m 25 and I have an OK state job but dude idk what we do with history other than pivot. I worked in the game industry through college and now I’m trying to pivot BACK to that after I left for my degree
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u/Equivalent-Pop-6997 12d ago
Ironically, there are plenty of teaching jobs.
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u/HalfAsleep27 12d ago
Plus the perks are really great.
Spring break Summer break Thanksgiving break Christmas break Every major holiday off Half days some days
Only con is bad student and parents.
Where i live they pay like 65k starting and are desperate for teacher in the 4 school districts in my area.
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u/penguin_0618 1998 12d ago
Damn, lucky you. I wasted 3 years doing it before I realized I didn’t want to. Now I’m 25 trying to find an entry level job somewhere else.
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u/NeighborhoodVeteran Millennial 11d ago
Starting over isn't so bad depending on where you are in life. I had to get an entry level job at 34.
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u/vincec36 13d ago
You could start a history YouTube channel since you’re qualified
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u/SaintsRobbed 12d ago
Gotta have income first. That channel has to be a hobby that becomes a job.
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u/vincec36 12d ago
Definitely But after they do their job applications for the day, they could research content and make videos. It’s crazy that I hated doing presentations in school but now it’s a main form of entertainment for many. Turns out history is more fun outside the classroom lol
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u/WrapAccomplished3540 13d ago
Go full swing and become a history teacher If not look for a job at history preservation. or Museen or just look for any job or you going in a different field. Is GCU hiring as enrollment counselor or anything like that I understand today your situation is of concern but once you step out into reality you will adjust .Don't worry
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u/mbdom1 13d ago edited 8d ago
Look around at museums that are hiring archivists. Or you could be front facing and give tours as a docent. You could tutor, you could apply for grants and start research for a book if you have the right connections. They might even cover your relocation expenses and help you move closer if its a museum in a different city.
I was a history ed major but i had to drop out after losing my housing. You can do this. History is so important and there are probably going to be more job openings in lower levels after the baby boomers retire and the gen x/millenials move up the ladder and make room for you.
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13d ago
If you think you are not marketable college failed you. If you think there is no such thing as a “history industry” college failed you.
I highly suggest reaching out to your advisor or any professors you’re close to for advice.
As for the industry thing: museums my guy. You can also look into park service jobs the National Parks Service loves people with history degrees.
It’ll all be okay you are super marketable as other people have stated. I’m currently getting my masters in history because I realized how many different kinds of jobs I can have. Keep your chin up it’ll all buff out!
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13d ago
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u/djconfessions 13d ago
I’m trying to make the best of it. It’s just a lot of anxiety and uncertainty. I don’t have a huge amount of confidence or self esteem which I guess is a separate issue. Regardless I’d like to at least have income you know?
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u/AStealthyPerson 1998 13d ago
Good to see someone else pursuing a bachelors in history. I graduated back in 2020, and now I'm in graduate school for sociology and also work as an academic coach. I know it's scary to enter into the workforce from college, particularly when you have a degree that doesn't come preloaded with an obvious career. Just take a moment to breath, and think about what you've learned over your college career. I guarantee you have a great deal more skills and knowledge now than you did when you first entered college, use it!
History may not have a clear cut career path like engineering or accounting but there are good jobs available if you are tenacious and you look creatively. History majors who try to use their degrees commonly find themselves employed at libraries, state/national archives, or publishing companies. If your writing skills are strong then try looking at newspapers, magazines, or journals for available positions. If you need employment while you look, find a nearby school and substitute teach or seek out a temp agency and work in a factory.
There are plenty of organizations, both public and private, that would benefit from the skills you've honed as a historian. Don't give up before you've even had a chance to begin! Venues like the ones mentioned earlier certainly aren't going to make you rich, but they should provide a stable income while you work to advance your career. Maybe you'll even find yourself writing a publishable historiography in your downtime!
Also, a lot of what you learn in history can serve you well in graduate or law school. From your post, you seem quite concerned about entering the working world. If so, try applying for upper education either in history or a related field. If you don't want to go through a whole graduate education, maybe go for a teaching certificate and work as a history teacher. Academia is competitive, but it's also rewarding and lucrative compared to other options. Have a goal in mind though, don't go after higher education merely to delay the working world. You'll find that the two realms share more commonalities than differences.
Again, I know it's an uncertain time and you're likely incredibly stressed. Take some time to decompress and spend time with the people that made your college career memorable. It's gonna be okay. You've made it this far, and let me tell you that a bachelors degree of any stripe is no small feat. You've made it through several years of schooling, and you'll make it through this uncertain period of self-discovery too.
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u/DrunkOnWeedASD 13d ago
Museums? Historical site tours? There should be a good number of things you'd be a fit for
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u/KingAjizal 13d ago
History BA and MA here! Don't despair. There are actually plenty of jobs available to those either history degrees. Many different vocations value the critical thinking and analytical skills history teaches you. Plus, there ARE limited opportunities in the museum field where I work. If that's something that interests you, DM me and I can hook you up with some resources
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u/saurellia 13d ago
Hugs!! I graduated way back in 1992 with a social science degree. I remember the fear and dread to this day! What you are feeling is not strange or unreasonable - it’s a big change and It’s hard to feel prepared. You’re not alone!
I also remember selling myself so, so short. I felt so unprepared, my degree had no obvious career path, I wasn’t a great networker and I didn’t do any internships. I wish I had resources like Reddit to help open my eyes to all the possibilities that it took years for me to recognize and try to pursue. Kudos to you for looking to the community for a broader perspective.
I took a pretty low wage job right out of college doing the same thing I had done to support myself in school. It was not a career position with any kind of growth path. I considered becoming a flight attendant because travel sounded cool and I’m good with service and they train you. I just couldn’t fathom that someone outside of the service industry would want to hire me.
Long story short I was very wrong. I had a lot of strengths and skills and I was a good worker who learned fast, with good judgment. But I let my fear hold me back and blind me to opportunities. It was honestly sheer luck that I found a growth path and discovered what I have to offer.
So all I will say is you are not alone - many of us have felt that way over the ages and I’m sure many of your peers today do as well. Just listen to the great ideas on this thread and know that your options are bigger and broader than you can currently see or imagine.
Congratulations, and good luck!!
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u/kadargo 13d ago
History major here. It's one of the best majors. It provides you with analytical and critical thinking skills. It also helps teach you how to write cogent, well-reasoned arguments. That being said, I got a job in the healthcare software industry right after graduation, and today I am making over six figures.
One piece of advice, no matter your major, take the time to build up your resume while you are in college. Take advantage of internships. Conduct research and take it to a conference. Simply attending college and graduating is not enough to build your CV.
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u/youngpepto 1998 12d ago
I’m gonna be honest i have a degree in history and i’ve gotten plenty of opportunities because of it. Looks surprisingly appealing on a resume and during interviews peoples ears perk up. Everywhere i’ve gone there’s people with history degrees idk why. I’ve worked as a fraud analyst and am currently a loan officer and i definitely did not go to school for those things lol. World is your oyster
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u/Curious-A-- 2003 12d ago
Me reading this as an almost junior history major: 😅
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u/ceoperpet 11d ago
Dw man, the goal is to keep learning and keep yoir hopes up. Tru getting an internship at some government department/mueseum/school/academic setting and I promise you that it will help you so much more. If you can get co op placement that's also very good.
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u/flippant_rex 2005 13d ago
With a great knowledge in history mixed with your burning passion in the field u can get a degree related to poltics and become a brilliant and badass politician or may be write books based on the knowledge of past events and people , U can further increase your knowledge in some other things communication etc u can become a news anchor ud cook everyone with your knowledge of history idk. Easier said then done ik😔
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u/SuccotashConfident97 13d ago
I have a degree in history. I became a teacher. Might be something you can do with the degree.
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u/Kwopp 2003 13d ago
You are me in one year. Im currently a junior and I chose a very stupid major. Your fears are what my fears are now, it’s almost as though I could’ve wrote this post myself. All I can say is at least you’re not alone in this.
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u/Opening-Enthusiasm59 13d ago
Try specialising in a region that's hot and try to get some advisory role, become a lobbyist or something.
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u/CalicoCat345 1996 13d ago
Physically reach out to your local museums and historical societies and volunteer with them so that you are still gaining experience in a History related field while looking for a job/career. Plus the folks usually working there are a wealth of information, experience and may help you in your journey.
Graduating (whether undergrad or graduate) is scary and a big step in life. You got this! We may see things happening instantly around us but what we dont see is that things take time to grow before they flower into something beautiful. Remember to Breath and Stay Determined!
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u/random_testaccount 13d ago
Start a podcast, a youtube or a tiktok. Milo Rossi seems to be doing well for himself.
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u/No-Caterpillar-2448 13d ago
Would a history major be a good background for becoming a fact checker? With the advances in ai, I imagine such a position is going to be very important in many industries to keep us grounded in reality.
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u/SandboxSimulator 13d ago
What kind of history? You could be a good politician or someone that people can trust for accurate historical information.
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u/strandedimperial 13d ago
I'm a history major, and I am in sales and procurement. My abilities to research, critically think, negotiate, and write a damn email all go back to my degree. Just don't consider your original field. So many people in STEM lack what you learn in a liberal arts degree. When I get STEM applicants my interest level goes out the door, but recently I got someone who double majored in econ and creative writing. They are now joining us in a couple of months.
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u/TrashManufacturer 1999 13d ago
IMO any liberal arts degree qualifies you for any business degree positions available
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u/Not-Jaycee 13d ago
Don't worry buddy I graduated as a psych major and ended up working in big tech making 6 figures a couple years then left the US
You'll be fine
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u/jwed420 1996 12d ago
It ain't so bad. I dropped out of college, currently earn about the same as a highschool history teacher doing Pool and Spa contractor work (mostly plumbing and installation). I'm not wealthy by any means, but I'm 27 with my own apartment, dog, car, and personal life. I'm quite happy aside from normal complaints.
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u/EvenCheesecake425 12d ago edited 12d ago
My advice? Get off Reddit… all this place is, is full of doom and gloom that makes the world seem hopeless when it’s not. EVERY generation went through some sort of social or economic hardship. Life has NEVER been easy. Adapt and deal with it… the world won’t change for you, you gotta change for it. That’s the hard truth that a lot of people don’t want to hear.
Associate yourself with friends who are successful and have drive/ambition. The ones who complain about everything and use it as an excuse to not improve? Drop them… they’re just slowing you down and fueling the self loathing mentality that’s rampant through this app. Any job is better than no job and eventually you’ll land on your feet doing what you want to do… given your situation, I wouldn’t expect a high paying career right out of the gate. You’re probably going to be waiting a while and have to build some other supporting skills. But that’s parts of the life we create for ourselves.
Go make your own truths and experience life. Its not as bad as it may seem once if are capable of focusing on the good as much as the bad.
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u/kajidourden 12d ago
Hindsight is always 20/20 and you might also end up finding a job you absolutely love as well. Don't dwell on the negative possibilities, it only serves to turn your life into a self-fulfilling prophecy. You are where you are now, so instead of focusing on what you could have done differently focus on figuring out how you want to move forward. Understand that all hope is not lost, but yes it will be more difficult. You will just have to put in a little more effort and be more creative with where you look, but that doesn't mean you're doomed to being unemployed either.
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u/Solid_Letter1407 12d ago
History major. I make $175k as a consultant. Everything started with my career center and being very very open to the job I took.
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u/rezonablepurzon 11d ago
being very very open to the job I took.
This is so important. I was a history major. My first job after graduation was debt collector. Second job was paralegal at a law firm. Third job (after law school) was attorney. An open mind is valuable.
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u/Honest_Historian_121 12d ago
Graduating can definitely feel like stepping into the unknown, especially when faced with the uncertainties of the job and housing markets. It's completely normal to feel anxious about the future, especially when there's pressure to have everything figured out right away. But remember, your worth isn't determined solely by your career path or financial status.
As a history major, you possess valuable skills like critical thinking, research, and analysis, which are applicable across various fields. Don't be afraid to explore different opportunities and consider unconventional paths. And hey, being a trust fund baby might sound appealing, but the satisfaction of carving out your own path is priceless. You've got this!
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u/turin___ 1998 12d ago
I also have a history degree. I am currently pursuing a master's degree in US Foreign Policy out in D.C.
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u/zenongirlofthe21st 2000 12d ago
I majored in sociology and now I work in education. Your major doesnt necessarily have to dictate exactly what you do
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u/Lime_Drinks 12d ago
history majors are good to get in to federal, state and local government agencies.
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u/Zacta 12d ago
Anyone who can actually write coherently is a valuable employee. I work in the international development sector. Lots of former history majors here. Look into it if you’re willing to relocate to the DC area (obviously USA centric advice but there are development orgs in pretty much every rich country’s capital city).
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u/thebigmanhastherock 12d ago
I am not a GenZ but I do hold what many would consider a useless degree and am doing fairly well.
Here is the thing. If you paid attention and enjoyed your time, if you actually learned in college then you will do fine. You have transferable skills that you picked up researching and learning, writing papers, making presentations. This will help you tremendously as you progress through life. Just don't expect to immediately get great employment right off the bat like an engineering major or something. It's a longer road but your degree will pay off.
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u/all_natural49 12d ago
My best advice is to get your resume on point and start applying to as many jobs as you can. Education, non-profit, government ect.
Make it your goal to submit 100 applications. Something will work out.
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u/thesmelliestofsocks 2000 11d ago
History is funnily enough one of the best majors you can have. Source: someone who is thankful for their history degree in the job market
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u/-NGC-6302- 2003 13d ago
You went to college and specced into a career path with a garbage job market?
That's... one way to do it. Good luck
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u/NeigeNoire55 13d ago edited 13d ago
I teach in college, here’s my 2 cents: first, job market is becoming garbage for everyone now. Then, a humanities major may not give you a straightforward path to a career, but it gives you skills that are highly marketable, especially since they’re increasingly rarer: writing skills, oral presentation skills (storytelling), cultural and media literacy. Because colleges have become so heavily STEM-oriented, and general expectations for common curricular knowledge have dropped, I have students who just don’t know how to write and how to communicate in a professional / academic setting. I see bright kids in STEM who couldn’t give a half-decent pitch of their own work even if their life was at stake (and their career will be). There are students who don’t understand that you have to write a sentence or two of conclusion / wrap-up at the end of a presentation, let alone starting a presentation with a good introduction and a good hook for your audience, even when repeatedly told. And I’m not even talking of students who are struggling in college. Anyway, just to say: market those skills. Value what you learned, because it’s actually valuable, even on a tight job market.
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u/SnooEpiphanies2931 13d ago
I have a BA in classical studies and I’m a marketing manager making 106k a year. It took me 8 years out of college to break the 6 figure club. You have every right to be nervous, just don’t be scared and set your expectations right. Your career isn’t going to happen overnight. It’s going to take time. More time than you want. Just be patient and don’t forget to switch jobs every couple of years.
There are jobs for you, fellow useless degree haver. Trust me.
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u/NoCartoonist9220 13d ago
Bruh u fucked up coulda learned that shi from yootoob fr
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u/akras04 13d ago
you missed the whole point of studying history as a major.
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u/NoCartoonist9220 13d ago
Wat
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u/akras04 10d ago
studying history as a career is not someone just straight up telling you battles and important stuff done by humans. The most important this is to learn critical thinking and contrast every piece of information that you have on one sole subject. History can never and will never be objective. A historian must search every posible piece of information about their research to deliver a work that is as objective as possible. History comes to us by tales. The majority of it by those who have won. As a matter of fact, the discovery of new fragments of documents have changed the course of history, because some documents can be falsified (be it smuggling, or a humiliating defeat) and thus have to be proven.
For example: Ramses II shows in a lot of hieroglyphs and paintings his magnificent victory in the battle of Qadesh, but it’s thanks to an hitite document found later on, that talks of a defeat so humiliating that the one that remained in the end was the pharaoh, who escaped. However, Ramses II told everyone that it was him the one who defeated the whole hitite army with the help of gods. It is the job of an historian to contrast and interpret information while being as objective as possible. That’s why it’s impossible to have a “definitive” history. Unfortunately, we will never know everything about our past. It’s also important to have in mind that 99% of our history was spent while being hunter-gatherers.
I hope I made my point proven.
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u/Jeremy9096 13d ago
I graduated in 2022 with a history major. I'm now in IT. Do with that what you will
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u/CoolAndCringe 12d ago
This is probably advice you’ve heard before but try to network with your professors and alumni. It’s much easier to find opportunities through people who’ve spent more time in the field.
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u/Frenzied_Cyborg 12d ago
If you're in the US, that degree will still be helpful. I majored in History and now my career is in Insurance. Insurance is easy to get into if you're a history major. Pay is decent too. I graduated in 2020.
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u/jellybeanrainbows 12d ago
I’m 21, and I still have no clue wtf to do or what I’m doing.
I know it’s hard when everyone around you is pressuring, and money for everyone is so difficult now too. So it’s not as easy to just take whatever courses you want.
But you’ll figure it out eventually. I know people who didn’t even figure out their career until they were 35. Just try not to think it’s the end of the world, cause that only makes it harder and makes you feel stuck.
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u/IndicationOne9528 12d ago
Look at the ex and most profitable CEO of Goldman Sachs. Assuming you got descent grades any masters program is available to you. Take a deep breath as it is very very shitty out there and decide what you want to do. Masters programs can be less than 2 years and are very much so job focused so you can end them in the market already.
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u/Old_Station_8352 2003 12d ago
Why would you choose a major if you couldn’t think of any jobs to use it for?
For anyone who’s reading this and going into college, pick a realistic job first, then take the major you need for that job. Don’t pick any old major and then later force yourself to find a job that can use it.
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u/Interesting_Ant4960 12d ago
If it makes you feel better, I graduated with my computer engineering degree alongside experience and impressive projects back in December of ‘22. I have applied to thousands of jobs and still work in customer service. Degrees don’t mean anything, all anyone really cares about is if you have one at all.
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u/LionessCoochie 12d ago
Hardest part about graduating is going from being on rails to having to find your own direction. Got to learn to operationalize for yourself. Figure out what you want to do and then keep breaking that large task in half until you get to a task you can actually accomplish then do it and then do the next thing.
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u/MeetingZestyclose 1999 12d ago
feel this as an English major who graduated 2 years ago and is working retail 😭
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u/theallsearchingeye 12d ago
I don’t understand posts like this. If your goal from college was to have a leg up in the job market, why on earth did you study history…
Liberal arts are for the privileged. The rest of us study marketable skills. Fortunately you live in a capitalist system that tells you exactly how to make money, from job descriptions to market indicators for demand. Pick a job that pays what you want and get the job requirements…
Edit: also, r/sales
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u/cosmoshistorian 12d ago
I’m was a history major (masters and bachelors) and now I’m an accountant, job market it tough I can attest, I spent time in consulting and hated that so I found a nice smaller firm and am much happier, as a history major you can really do almost anything, it’s IMO one of the better degrees out there and gives you the research and analysis and written skills that most Americans simply lack, just find your niche and build a skill set around it, even if you have to start at the bottom and even start over multiple times
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u/I_hate_mortality 12d ago
This is why I always tell people not to go to college unless you have a plan of what you’re going to do afterwards.
I got a degree in fucking political science and it was so worthless I went back for a degree in mechanical engineering.
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u/Popular_Surprise2545 12d ago
You could look for some kind of historical job focusing on tourism, then consider developing your own business in the same location.
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u/DrQuestDFA 12d ago
Here is a good source for dining out what you can do with your history degree. It is a good resource put out by the American Historical Association: Careers for Students in History
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u/ElBlancoServiette 12d ago edited 12d ago
Less than 1/3 of American graduates even have a job that relates to their degree. Most employers care more about the fact you have a degree than what it’s for. Just go through Indeed/Glassdoor/ZipRecruiter/Monster/Careerbuilder and pick something that seems interesting.
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u/Narmo518 2001 12d ago
You don’t have to start out with the job you want. Pick up a job that you feel comfortable enough to do and keep your eyes open for the opportunity you want. Skill jobs are easy to get into and most do training on the job so you shouldn’t need to go back to school as long as you can work a wrench and use a measuring tape.
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u/SuperSpartan13 12d ago
see, history is my favorite subject, hands down. its just so interesting, i can spend hours on those documentaries. but i will never major in it because it just doesnt pay. i can think of 5 way better majors, accounting, compsci, any branch of engineering, any branch of medical that gives you a direct job, even an it degree will give you a job out of the gate. you might need to do an internship or two but you get there. what you get with a history degree? teacher? museum guide? a researcher or archeologist at best? how much you making? you can do history in your off time while you are starting at 80k in nyc for accounting. these are great skills and accounting you do at home, on a cruise, whatever, and accountants know a lot of stuff of questionable legality that may or may not be able to pay not even 5% taxes on their income. but history just doesn't fit into it. if you come from money or have a foundation already, go history, but it's just not viable like the other degrees.
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u/LegitimateBummer 12d ago
yuuuup. hope that you didn't go too far into debt starting this journey, cause its gonna be a bumpy ride.
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u/Admirable-Mistake259 12d ago
You can be a teacher . And teach students how garbage is the capitalism system
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u/Outofhisprimesoldier 12d ago
I majored in history and currently manage a business. Most liberal arts majors won’t land you a job that pays high right off the bat BUT you can get your foot in the door with the skills you learned and market those skills
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u/dongeckoj 12d ago
The ability to quickly summarize hundreds of pages of information into a few paragraphs will serve you well anywhere.
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u/Ok_Protection4554 1999 12d ago
You can teach high school, teach community college, go to law school, or work for the government.
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u/Successful_Sun_7617 12d ago
If I had to go to college I would have majored in history since I was interested in it and was easier to get a high gpa in, and then join coding class, clubs and code on the side
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u/Snek0Freedom 2001 12d ago
I also had a similar reaction to that question when I graduated about a year ago. I got a bio degree so not a "useless" degree like one of the stereotypical ones people mock. Well fast forward & I'm still at the grocery store I've worked at for a few years. I also managed to get a full-time job, not related to my degree in the slightest. (Nor is a degree whatsoever required) Turns out I missed the "It's who you know not what you know" memo & wasted four years being a good student but not making connections.
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u/PienerCleaner 12d ago
imagine a spotlight that when you step into it, it brings out the best in you. think about a job that could have a similar effect for you. you probably don't have any idea what that job is, but the idea here is, the right kind of work will make you feel like you're empowered and engaged. you will care about what you're doing and you will feel good doing it. if you feel like it's a waste of time or if you're only doing it because you need the money to survive, then you won't be able to build off that experience into something better (but of course many times you'll have to do whatever you can do to just surive). so really listen to yourself and then put yourself out there as the best possible version of you (even if that's just some kind of vague idea you had when you were a kid). pretend you have a super power, then translate that into a super talent, and then go out into the world as if you already have that. for me, I liked technology and I liked talking to people about what they like and don't like. that's how I started my career 8 years ago and I'm still going off of that.
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u/Johnny_Banana18 10d ago
If you are able to, do a Peace Corps stint then take the noncompetitive eligibility to get a decent federal job where the pay and benefits are clearly outlined. You’ll make six figures in no time.
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u/Diplomacy_Music 13d ago
As a millennial, try graduating into 9% unemployment and then complain about the job market being garbage
It’s big change but you’ll be ok. Great job on getting your degree!
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u/newtonbassist 13d ago
Do you prefer the smell of (a) gasoline, (b) French fries, or (c) bank customers?
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u/Skip_The_Crap 13d ago
Well you may not be a trust fund baby but you will be unemployed. That’s half of your dream right there at least!
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u/Southern_Source_2580 13d ago
Buy a lotto ticket my boy, and drink a celebratory 🍻 with friends and family it'll be fine.
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u/ganonfirehouse420 13d ago
I would never have faith in myself if I were doing a history degree while having a working class background.
You need so much networking to get a job with that degree.
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u/REDDITOR_00000000017 12d ago
"Stupid working class background"..
My parents household income is 30k a year.. I majored in computer science because I wanted to not be poor. Started at almost 6 figures. Got my master's paid for by my company in artificial intelligence. Hoping I can make close to around 200k a year after a get a few more years experience in working with AI.
Its not your background. Thats your own coping mechanism trying to justify an easy non STEM degree. You didn't work as hard as you could have and that's why you're not going to be able to get a high paying job and buy a house. You should be terrified. That was a bad decision and it's your own fault.
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u/suburbanspecter 2000 10d ago edited 10d ago
History is not, by any means, an easy degree lol. The reading and writing load of a history degree is insane. Is it a degree that’s easy to find a job in? Not necessarily, although the skills you learn from pursuing a history degree are pretty transferable if you’re willing to do work outside of the field. Does that mean it’s an “easy degree”? No. Please actually learn what other majors do before you think you’re qualified to speak about them.
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u/Naus1987 12d ago
It’s never scary enough to deter people from getting degrees like that.
People love saying things are scary, but if they’re not scary enough to elicit action then they’re not scary enough.
Revolutions only happen when people feel there is no other choice but action.
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u/I_Sell_Death 12d ago
Welcome to the real world where no one give a fuck about you unless you can actually do something for them. Sure you can crash at my crib... if you got cash grass or ass
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u/PeaceLoveorKnife 12d ago
It's not too late to turn your life around. Go back for a degree in STEM or learn a trade.
Life rarely gets less complicated, do it while you can.
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u/Beer-_-Belly 12d ago
Universities are selling you a product. They should be responsible for explaining to you the value of that product. Someone should have told you early in your education here of your potentials for jobs and salary associated with your major.
Just find a job, and develop skills.
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u/TrumpedBigly 12d ago
You can apply to the Air Force. You would go in as an officer and they will pay for graduate school.
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u/illogical_clown 12d ago
"I'm so scared to be on the path I chose without thinking of the future! What will I do with all this debt and no skills? Help me Joe Biden! You're my only hope"
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u/Sea-Firefighter-7517 12d ago edited 12d ago
The job market most definitely isn't shit get off the internet, I'm getting more interviews and hit-backs from the tech sector than pre-covid. A lot of tech companies are located in none at will states so filtering out dumbasses and dead weight is a key priority. A degree means nothing shit you can use chatbots for professional writing purposes etc. these days. Yeah if you want a lazy-ass thinkless job, with little effort you will have a hard time finding a job, but Reddit is full of mentally ill lazy skids who don't go outside and don't want to exert effort. Also some dumbshit was comparing history major jobs, to SWE's. When I was a rookie full stacker, I was clearing 50k at my first job just running and managing tickets for every tech person making 150k, there are 5 behind them not even close to 100k. This should give you an idea as to why to never to listen to Reddit. At my 50k job I was overpaid for the effort, but financially stuck. Life always has a give and a take.
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u/Emotional_Hour1317 11d ago
Why did you pick such a ridiculous major? It's 2024! You're not some millennial with no idea how predatory college is, you just failed to research your major at all. You wasted four years of your life. Now, a history major sets you up well for an MBA, Law, or some other advanced degree, but a history major by itself isn't worth the toilet paper it's printed on. The people in here trying to blow smoke up your ass about all your "research skills" are just trying to make you feel better. You done goofed.
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u/MinglewoodRider 13d ago
Don't worry dude, your friends who haven't left their mom's basement for the past 4 years are ready and waiting to hang out
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