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First, some facts. Of the History graduates from University of Michigan 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? Horrible! Overall, with an average relevance score of 31%, History graduates from University of Michigan have an exceptionally lower likelihood (-36%) 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, 66% 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:
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Relevance score: 16% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2011 from University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONCompliance Manager Foreign Links Around the Globe Aug 2012 - Sep 2014 Associate Director - ASMYLE, FLEX, & YES Programs  Foreign Links Around the Globe Oct 2014 - Mar 2016 J-1 Visa Request Coordinator University of Michigan Sep 2016 - May 2017 HR Paid Leave Balance & Employment Verification Supervisor University of Michigan Jun 2017 - Jul 2022 Continuous Improvement Consultant University of Michigan Jul 2022 - Dec 2023 FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Arts (M.A.)Western Michigan University 2012 - 2013 ABOUTSpecialties: Operations, Process Development, Lean, Administrative Support. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
So, when looking at the job paths for folks who graduated with a History degree from the University of Michigan, a big chunk of them seem to have ended up in legal positions, like legal interns or attorneys. These roles often require a solid understanding of context, which can relate to historical principles, especially when dealing with laws and precedents that have evolved over time. However, while some legal roles may benefit from the critical thinking and analytical skills honed during history studies, many of them don't directly relate to the field of history itself. It’s like the knowledge is useful but not always necessary, leaving these grads in a realm that’s more about the law than historical insight.
Besides the legal field, other common jobs include roles in compliance, marketing, and education. Many of these positions, like compliance management or marketing strategy, don’t heavily rely on historical knowledge either. They focus more on regulatory frameworks or market trends, which can sometimes benefit from historical context but don't fundamentally require it. Similarly, teaching jobs might use historical knowledge, especially if they’re teaching social studies or history, but several positions like HR or administrative roles are pretty distant from historical studies. In a nutshell, while history graduates definitely take some skills with them into various jobs, many often find themselves in positions that don’t directly leverage their degree, especially outside of the legal and educational fields.
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 University of Michigan):
Graduates from the University of Michigan with a degree in History seem to have taken varied paths after finishing their studies, but there are some common patterns. For many, the first jobs post-graduation tend to be either internships or entry-level positions that don’t always leverage their history degree directly. For instance, several graduates began their careers as legal interns, marketing assistants, or teachers, which suggests a tendency to explore fields that value skills like research, communication, and critical thinking—key components of a history education. In the initial few years, many appear to pivot into roles that gradually align more with their academic background. For example, those who started as interns in law or education often moved into more stable positions within those fields, showcasing a potential trend of finding a niche related to their studies.
Fast forward five to ten years, and you can see a mix of successful career trajectories and some more meandering paths. While several alumni have ascended into significant roles—like partners at law firms or positions in corporate consulting—others appear to have shifted to less related fields or still find themselves in entry-level or support roles that might not fully utilize their history training. Some graduates have even ventured into creative and operational roles, like marketing or program management, suggesting that a history background can be applicable in diverse sectors. Overall, while many graduates find meaningful careers, it’s clear that making the most of a history degree often requires flexibility and a willingness to adapt to various professional environments.
A Bachelor’s degree in History at the University of Michigan is definitely a challenging but rewarding experience. The coursework involves a lot of reading, writing, and critical thinking, so be ready to dive deep into various historical periods and themes. You’ll have to analyze primary sources and engage in discussions that require you to think critically about different perspectives in history. While some might find the material more manageable if they love storytelling and context, others might struggle with the heavy reading load and the need for strong analytical skills. Overall, it’s not particularly “easy” compared to other majors, but if you’re passionate about history and enjoy engaging with the past, it can be a fulfilling journey!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in History.
Looking at the job trajectories of these University of Michigan history grads, it seems like they’re landing in a pretty decent spot financially, especially the ones who went the law and finance routes. For instance, the ones who became attorneys or landed positions at big firms like Goldman Sachs are likely making quite a good salary, especially as they advance. On the other hand, some graduates, particularly those who went into teaching or entry-level positions, might not be raking in the bucks as quickly, but they’re still building valuable experience. Overall, it feels like most of them are making decent money, with a few standouts likely pulling in much more as they climb the career ladder.
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 University of Michigan). 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:
