First, some facts. Of the History graduates from Brigham Young University 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 15 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 45%, History graduates from Brigham Young University have a substantially lower likelihood (-22%) 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, 53% 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 History graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 92%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2018 from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor's degree in History. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONSummer Research InternCalifornia State Library May 2018 - Aug 2018 Reference Assistant University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Aug 2019 - Dec 2020 Research and Instruction Librarian Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University May 2021 - Jun 2023 Pre-Professional Advisor The College of Idaho Dec 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster's degreeUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 2019 - 2021 ABOUTStudent-centered professional successful at working with all types of personalities. Thrives on providing positive service while successfully completing daily job duties. Excellent understanding of both academic and pre-professional advising. Passionate about providing equitable services to students. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the careers of folks who graduated with a History degree from Brigham Young University, it's clear that many have taken a winding path after their studies. A significant number ended up working at Ancestry in various roles related to historical data, research, or content management, which makes sense since the company is all about genealogy and family history. Positions like Content Editor, Data Quality Review Trainer, and Content Project Analyst show these grads drawing on their historical research skills in a meaningful way. Other history-related jobs included positions like Archivist or Research Assistant, which directly involve working with historical documents or materials. These folks are likely using the skills and knowledge absorbed during their degree pretty well in these contexts.
However, it's also interesting to note that many graduates ventured into careers that don’t seem to have a strong connection to history at all. Jobs in marketing, property management, or even customer service roles at companies like Walt Disney World are common in their profiles, and these positions generally don’t require the specialized skills gained from a History degree. Overall, while a good chunk of BYU history grads found careers that directly utilize their knowledge and skills, a significant number pursued paths that are unrelated, suggesting that a History degree can offer flexibility but may not always lead directly to history-focused roles. So, if you’re thinking about a History degree, be ready for both the historical and the downright unexpected career opportunities that may come your way!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for History graduates (this is across all History graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Brigham Young University):
When looking at the career trajectories of History graduates from Brigham Young University, it seems like there's a mix of paths that people have taken. For many, their first jobs after graduation appear to range from internships and entry-level positions to roles in various sectors like education, research, and content management. A notable proportion have taken on roles at Ancestry, which suggests that some graduates are indeed utilizing their history skills in relevant fields, like research and historical content editing. However, it’s also clear that some individuals have ventured far from traditional history-related careers—like working in sales or operational roles within companies not specifically tied to history.
Five to ten years down the line, there is a blend of further development in relevant fields and some shifts into entirely different industries. Some have transitioned into management roles or specialized positions within their companies, while others, like some who’ve landed in education or archival work, have remained closely associated with history. On the flip side, several graduates have taken on roles that seem more tangential to their degree, like a legal assistant or a sales position. Overall, while there are certainly positive examples of history graduates advancing in related fields, there’s also a clear indication that many have ended up in jobs that don't directly utilize their history education. This underscores the idea that while a degree in history can pave the way for certain niche careers, it also leaves room for exploring a wide array of opportunities that might not be directly linked to the subject itself.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in History at Brigham Young University (BYU) can be a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. On one hand, history majors often have a reputation for challenging coursework, with a focus on critical thinking, writing, and analyzing primary sources. You'll be reading a ton and writing essays that require you to think deeply about complex topics. That said, BYU is known for its supportive environment and resources, like study groups and helpful professors, which can make things a bit easier. Overall, it’s not the easiest degree out there, but with some dedication and passion for the subject, it can be really rewarding without being overwhelmingly tough.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 3 years to finish a Bachelor degree in History.
Looking at all these BYU History grads, it seems like they've landed a mixed bag of jobs, and honestly, some of them probably aren’t rolling in dough just yet. The one who graduated in 2010 seems to have a pretty solid career trajectory at Ancestry, so they might be doing decently well, but many others are still in entry-level or mid-level positions, particularly those who graduated more recently. Positions like "Research Assistant" or "Customer Service Manager" probably aren’t making bank, and even the counselors and planners have to hustle a bit to climb the salary ladder. Overall, while a few might be pulling in a good paycheck, it looks like many are still working their way up and may not be making all that much just yet.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in History (this is across all History graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Brigham Young University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in History (ordered by the average relevance score of their History graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: