What can you do with a History degree from George Mason University?

First, some facts. Of the History graduates from George Mason 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 14 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Horrible! Overall, with an average relevance score of 29%, History graduates from George Mason University have an exceptionally lower likelihood (-38%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 29%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 35% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), which is right in line with the average across all fields.

See the details:

View a random History graduate from George Mason University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 24%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2019 from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in History. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Substitute Teacher
Manassas City Public Schools
Mar 2019 - May 2019
The role of Substitute Teacher does not specifically require historical knowledge or skills, as it primarily involves general teaching tasks that are unrelated to the individuals degree in History.

7th Grade STEM Long Term Substitute
Manassas City Public Schools
Aug 2019 - Oct 2019
As a 7th Grade STEM Long Term Substitute, this position necessitates teaching and engaging students in critical thinking and problem-solving, which can be supported by historical contexts and interdisciplinary approaches from a History degree.

6th Grade Language Arts & Social Studies -Long Term Substitute Teacher
Manassas City Public Schools
Oct 2019 - May 2020
Teaching 6th Grade Language Arts & Social Studies directly utilizes knowledge from the History degree, especially in the Social Studies component, which requires a strong understanding of historical contexts.

Special Education Instructional Assistant
Manassas City Public Schools
Aug 2020 - May 2021
While the Special Education Instructional Assistant role involves education and support, it does not inherently require knowledge of history, but the individual's understanding of historical events may enhance their teaching approach.

Financial Programs Manager
Britepaths
Sep 2021 - Apr 2023
The role of Financial Programs Manager does not align with the skills or knowledge obtained through a History degree, as it focuses on financial management rather than historical analysis or education.

Sr. Finance Manager & HR Specialist
Britepaths
Apr 2023 - Present
As a Sr. Finance Manager & HR Specialist, the individual's responsibilities center around finance and human resources, which do not relate to skill sets or knowledge acquired from a History degree.

ABOUT

Dynamic and results-driven finance and HR professional with extensive experience in program management, financial oversight, and human resources administration. Skilled in volunteer management, data analysis, and accurate financial reporting. Prior experience includes roles in education support and office administration, demonstrating strong communication and organizational abilities. Passionate advocate for equitable access to education, mental health awareness, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives.

What jobs can you get with a History degree from George Mason University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When analyzing the job paths of graduates from George Mason University with a degree in History, a common pattern emerges. Many of these individuals end up in areas such as technical writing and legal roles, with a notable number also transitioning into education or librarian positions. Specifically, technical writing seems to dominate the list, appearing multiple times. However, it’s important to note that while these roles offer valuable skills, they don’t typically relate to historical knowledge or skills. For instance, positions like a Technical Writer or Communications Manager don’t leverage the analytical skills developed through studying history. Instead, they tend to emphasize documentation or communication strategies that aren’t inherently connected to historical analysis.

On the flip side, there are graduates who found work that is directly relevant to their degree, particularly in education, research, and archival work. For example, jobs like Historic Trades Interpreter and various library media specialist positions actively engage with historical knowledge and resources, making them a better fit for someone with a History background. However, overall, many graduates seem to drift toward roles that don't fully utilize their history education. It's a mixed bag, where some have successfully aligned their work with their academic focus, while many others find themselves in roles that, although beneficial, stray far from historical relevance.

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 George Mason University):

What kind of career trajectories do History graduates from George Mason University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of History graduates from George Mason University, it’s clear that they’ve headed in a variety of directions, but not all of them directly align with what you might expect from a History degree. For many, their first job after graduation tends to be in technical writing, education, or legal fields, which highlights the versatility of their skills. Graduates have found roles as technical writers, paralegals, and even librarians, indicating a possible initial inclination toward communication-related jobs. For example, the technical writer position seemed to be a common first step for those graduating in the early 2010s, which suggests that these graduates have capitalized on their writing and analytical skills effectively.

However, as time passes—around 5 to 10 years post-graduation—there's a mixed bag of outcomes. Some graduates have indeed progressed into roles that are more aligned with their degree, like teaching History or engaging in historical interpretation. Others shifted into entirely different fields such as finance, operations management, or human resources. This suggests that while some alumni have managed to stay close to their studies, others have branched out, often due to the broad applicability of their skills in various industries. Overall, while you’ll find some successful career paths related to the discipline, it’s also evident that many graduates have pursued careers that don’t necessarily relate to history, demonstrating a mix of both traditional and non-traditional outcomes for History majors from GMU.

How hard is a History degree from George Mason University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in History at George Mason University isn’t super easy, but it’s not the hardest degree either—it's pretty average in terms of difficulty. You’ll be doing a lot of reading, writing, and analysis, which can be challenging if you’re not into that kind of stuff. You’ve got to keep up with a decent amount of coursework, including research papers and discussions, but if you enjoy learning about different eras and cultures, it can be really enjoyable. Plus, the professors are usually passionate and helpful, which makes the experience more engaging. Just be prepared to put in the time, and you’ll do just fine!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in History.

Do History graduates from George Mason University tend to make good money?

Looking at the job paths of these George Mason grads, it seems like some of them are doing pretty well, while others might be earning more of a modest salary. The technical writers and legal professionals typically land roles that can pay well, especially as they move up into senior positions. For example, the grads in tech writing and law often seem to advance to roles that suggest a decent income, particularly in governmental and corporate environments. On the flip side, those who went into education or positions like librarian may not be making as much, especially starting out, since those fields often have lower pay scales. But hey, it’s not all about the money! Some of these roles can be really fulfilling, and you may find that people prioritize job satisfaction over a high salary. Overall, it looks like a mixed bag, but there are definitely folks making a solid living out there!

What buzzwords do History graduates use to describe themselves?

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 George Mason University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for History?

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:

College Score Count
University of Connecticut 60 10
The University of Georgia 56 11
College of Charleston 54 10
Yale University 53 21
University of North Texas 52 21
University of Virginia 50 18
University of Pittsburgh 49 12
University of California, Santa Cruz 48 13
Rutgers University 48 10
Towson University 47 10
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 46 15
Binghamton University 46 10
University of Florida 45 23
Brigham Young University 45 15
Christopher Newport University 45 12
The University of Texas at Austin 44 16
University of Houston 44 19
San Francisco State University 44 17
Texas State University 44 11
The George Washington University 44 13
University of Washington 43 17
San Jose State University 43 12
Southern New Hampshire University 42 15
James Madison University 42 18
Louisiana State University 42 12
Texas Tech University 41 15
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 41 12
Hillsdale College 40 10
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 39 10
University of South Carolina 39 11
Texas A&M University 38 23
Florida State University 37 21
University of California, Los Angeles 37 37
North Carolina State University 37 14
University of Oregon 37 11
Northern Arizona University 36 10
University of Central Florida 35 24
Old Dominion University 34 10
Davidson College 34 11
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 33 10
Columbia College 33 13
University of Michigan 31 15
University of Nebraska at Omaha 31 11
Arizona State University 30 13
George Mason University 29 14
University of Mississippi 29 10
Virginia Commonwealth University 28 10
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 26 16
University of California, Berkeley 25 16
The Citadel 24 11
The Ohio State University 23 18
University of Arizona 23 13
Georgia State University 23 11
Michigan State University 20 11
University of South Florida 18 20
Ashford University 18 11
University of Kentucky 17 12
Virginia Military Institute 14 11