First, some facts. Of the European History graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 57 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Horrible! Overall, with an average relevance score of 36%, European History graduates have an exceptionally lower likelihood (-31%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 57% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a European History graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 45%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from West Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in European History. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONKickerAtlanta Falcons 2014 - 2014 Kicker Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2015 - 2016 NFL-CFL Kicker-Motivational Speaker Self-Employed Jan 2014 - Present ABOUTFootball Career-Kicker/Punter:2009-2013 West Texas A&M University All-American Kicker 2012-2013Fred Mitchell Award 2013 (Best Kicker in the Nation Award)2014 Atlanta Falcons Training camp & Pre-season2015-2016 Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Canadian Football League)2016 Ottawa RedblacksSpeaking:2011-present FCA events Here is a list of a couple of events Ive spoken in 2016:La Joya General Assembly (La Joya, TX)Step Up to Success Conference (Amarillo, TX)Los Barrios de Amarillo Graduate Banquet (Amarillo, TX)Irene Garcia Middle School (La Joya, TX)Cesar Chavez Middle School (La Joya, TX)Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School (La Joya, TX) |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When analyzing the careers of individuals who have graduated with a degree in European History, it's clear that this field of study leads to a diverse array of jobs, though many of them don't directly utilize historical knowledge. Most of the positions these graduates occupied fall into categories like administrative roles, teaching roles, customer service, and various entry-level positions that emphasize soft skills more than specialized historical knowledge. For example, numerous graduates held jobs as teachers, assistants, and coordinators, which could benefit from their understanding of history, but don’t inherently revolve around it. Additionally, many roles in customer service and sales are present on the lists, showing that graduates end up taking paths that may align more with general workplace skills than with the specific expertise of their degree.
On the relevance side, while some jobs listed do directly apply knowledge of European History—such as teaching, archival work, and research assistant roles—many of them do not. Positions such as customer service representative, administrative assistant, or even executive assistant often represent a pivot away from historical study, focusing on skills like communication, organization, and management instead. It can be argued that even teaching positions at K-12 institutions often consider broader educational topics that don't necessarily revolve around European history. Therefore, while there are certainly some roles that utilize the knowledge gained from a European History degree, a significant number of graduates find themselves in jobs where that knowledge is peripheral or altogether absent. This suggests that while a degree in European History does open certain doors, many graduates might be applying broad skills rather than specializing in their historical expertise.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for European History graduates:
When we look at a variety of LinkedIn profiles from individuals who have graduated with a degree in European History, it becomes clear that the career trajectories are quite varied and tell an interesting story about where these graduates have gone after finishing their studies. To start, there’s a considerable number of people who seem to be branching out into roles that don’t directly relate to their major. For instance, many of the first jobs right out of college are in areas like customer service, teaching, or administrative positions, which may not connect strongly with European History. Some folks took on roles like sales representative, various support positions, or even went into technical support. It’s a mixed bag for their initial entry into the workforce, suggesting that while some graduates sought roles tied to their history background, others seemed to value the general skills they gained during their education more than the specific content.
Now, if we fast forward five to ten years, there appears to be a little more alignment for some as many individuals seem to have transitioned into more specialized roles or climbed the career ladder in various sectors. However, it's important to note that even several years down the line, many appear to be working in fields that are not directly related to their degree. For instance, some alumni ended up in fields like law, education, and even government roles – while these areas can be influenced by knowledge of history, they do not specifically cater to the historical aspect of their studies. Notably, there are those who embraced teaching roles, which can certainly be related, though many opted for subjects other than history.
In sum, while a handful of graduates have found their way into career paths that directly utilize their knowledge of European History, a significant portion has taken a broader approach, applying their skills to a diverse range of fields. For those considering a degree in European History, it might be wise to keep an open mind about career opportunities; while you might not become a historian or a museum curator, the skills like analytical thinking and writing you develop can open doors in various sectors. Career paths can definitely deviate from what you expect, and that's completely okay! Ultimately, it's more about how you leverage your degree in the job market and find a niche that suits you.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in European History can be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty, and it’s generally considered to be on the easier side compared to some other majors like engineering or hard sciences. You’ll definitely have to read a lot and write some papers, which can get tedious, but if you have a genuine interest in history, it might feel more like exploring cool stories rather than slogging through tough material. The workload varies depending on your university, but most of your courses will encourage discussions and debates, so if you’re up for that and enjoy learning about the past, you’ll probably find it manageable and pretty interesting overall!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in European History.
Looking at these profiles, it seems like the financial trajectories of these graduates are pretty mixed. Some of them have definitely found positions that likely pay well over time, especially in fields like law, technical roles, and management, which can be decent income sources. For example, the Attorney at Reisinger Law Firm and the Compliance Advisor positions typically bring in solid wages. On the flip side, many graduates have held roles like teaching or various support positions, which tend to have lower pay scales, especially in the early parts of their careers. Overall, it appears that while a few are on a path to make good money, many seem to be in jobs that might not be super lucrative, especially straight out of college.
Additionally, those who’ve landed positions in companies known for paying well, like insurance or tech firms, might be set for better earnings moving forward. However, it’s clear that not every graduate has hit the jackpot financially—some have taken on roles that don’t really reflect their education or might require them to work their way up through lower-paying jobs initially. In summary, if you're aiming for a solid financial future with a history degree, know you might need to climb the ladder or specialize to boost your earnings potential!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in European History. This may or may not be useful: