31 years old. Higher degree in history. I work as a curator of a national historic landmark and as an adjunct professor, yet I have no savings at all and live check to check. Was it worth it? Will it get better? Should I sell out?
Ask me anything!
31 year old historian with no savings at all. Anyone else thinking about going into history? AMA
r/AMA
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What period of history is your expertise and when you were doing your degree what were your career aspirations?
Do you get to keep anything historical or add to history? Like your preserving history, but only like one insignificant historical landmark in Alabama bad?
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Do you acutely feel how narrow your knowledge is? I mean you only know a small section of US history how about other parts of the world
How about law school? Lol
Are you asking questions or answering them?
Are you sure you weren’t meant for competitive law?
I was four years into a history PhD program when I finally quit given the dismal job prospects and the appalling salaries for the few jobs available. I’ve been working as a paralegal for 7 years now. I’m not rich by any stretch, but I own a house now and have built up a moderate amount of savings. My basic needs are met and I still have a little leftover for fun stuff after my bills are paid. I’d highly recommend a career change if a living wage is what you seek. You don’t have to work as a historian to maintain your passion for the subject matter.
Social Studies/ History specialty seems to be a joke unfortunately. I thought it to be my passion at one point so went into a pre-credential major in History for my undergrad. Immediately afterwards I went into a credential program and am now a certified K-12 single subject teacher. That was a year and a half ago now and have I used my credential yet? No, sadly, and despite the countless positions I’ve applied for. I don’t hear back after the interview or don’t get a call at all.
Obviously you don’t teach for the money, but I can’t even find a teaching job at all! What do you suggest I do? Be like you and further my education or change subjects and career entirely?
Have you thought about writing historial novels?
If you tie the past and the present together, people will probably be more interested.
Would you recommend going into this field to others?
What is the most interesting thing you have read in ancient history?
I have a Literature degree. Would you like fries with that?
If you need to make money, curatorial work and adjunct professorship won’t cut it. Find a way to take your history degree and put it to use in a way that makes you money.
BA in history 1989