What can you do with a History degree from University of Oregon?

First, some facts. Of the History graduates from University of Oregon 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 37%, History graduates from University of Oregon have a substantially lower likelihood (-30%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 37%
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, 54% 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:

View a random History graduate from University of Oregon and our analysis:


Relevance score: 39%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2010 from University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Optician
Coffman Vision Clinic
Feb 2011 - Apr 2014
The position of Optician does not involve the application of historical knowledge or skills, making it unrelated to the Bachelor's degree in History.

Collection Care Specialist
A.R. Bowman Museum
Nov 2012 - Nov 2014
As a Collection Care Specialist at the A.R. Bowman Museum, the job likely involves some understanding of historical artifacts, but it is not a role that directly utilizes historical analysis or research skills on a daily basis.

Owner, Designer Liaison & Purchasing Manager
The Bridal Suite & Special Occasion
Dec 2014 - Present
The role of Owner, Designer Liaison & Purchasing Manager at The Bridal Suite & Special Occasion may benefit from storytelling or cultural context awareness gained from a History degree, but it primarily focuses on business and design management rather than historical knowledge.

ABOUT

I have experience in three different industries. First, bridal and formalwear. I currently co-own a bridal boutique where I specialize in custom design consultation, purchasing/buying, trend analysis, customer/designer relations and visual merchandising. My passion in this industry is the products and the detail and design that goes into each item. Second, historical museums. I worked as the Collections Care Manager and Volunteer Coordinator, where I specialized in preserving artifacts, cataloging the museum's collection, designing/building exhibits and scheduling/training volunteers. Lastly, optical. I worked as an ABO certified optician where I specialized in contact wear training, cutting lenses, assembling glasses, and troubleshooting machines in the laboratory and optical sales.

What jobs can you get with a History degree from University of Oregon?

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


If we take a closer look at the careers of individuals who graduated with a History degree from the University of Oregon, it seems like a mixed bag. A lot of folks ended up in roles that are pretty far removed from the history realm, like opticians, project coordinators, and customer service representatives. These jobs primarily focus on practical skills like sales, management, and customer interactions rather than diving into historical analysis or understanding past events, which might leave someone wondering about the real value of a history education in those cases.

However, there are some standout roles where the individuals were able to leverage their history background. Positions like Graduate Teaching Fellow, Visiting Assistant Professor, and even some internships focused on historical context show that there are pathways where a history degree truly shines. It's clear that while many grads find themselves in jobs where history isn't a huge factor, there are definitely opportunities out there that closely relate to their studies, especially within education or research fields. So, if you’re considering a history degree, keep in mind that while it opens some doors, it might not lead you down the most traditional historical path—but there's still plenty of potential to connect the past with your future career!

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 Oregon):

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

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the University of Oregon with a degree in History, it’s clear that there’s a bit of a mixed bag. Many seem to start with jobs that aren't directly tied to history, like being an optician or a front desk agent, which might feel like a bit of a stretch from their degree. However, over time, some of these individuals do find their way into roles that allow them to utilize their skills in critical thinking, research, and analysis, which are key components of a history education. For example, a graduate became a government analyst and eventually moved up to become a principal analyst and manager at Thomson Reuters Special Services, which certainly shows an upward trajectory and relevance to analytical skills that a history graduate would develop.

Five to ten years after graduating, it seems people are landing roles in a variety of fields, including teaching, project management, and even legal positions—especially for those who pursued further education. However, a noticeable number some have ended up in professions that don’t directly align with their historical training. While it’s great to see individuals evolving into impressive positions, many others appear to be working jobs that could be perceived as less successful or not related at all to what they studied. So, while some history majors from UO are thriving and making their mark in relevant fields, others are taking more circuitous routes which might not feel as fulfilling. It’s a reminder that while a degree in history can open doors, it might not always lead straight to a career in history itself.

How hard is a History degree from University of Oregon?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in History, whether at the University of Oregon or elsewhere, can definitely be a mix of challenging and manageable. It's not usually considered the hardest degree out there, but it does require a good amount of reading, writing, and critical thinking—so if you love digging into the past and analyzing events, you might find it pretty engaging. You’ll have to juggle a variety of classes, some of which can get pretty detailed and complex, especially if you're diving into specialized topics or different cultures. If you’re good at staying organized and passionate about the subject, you'll probably find it more on the easier side, but like any degree, it can be tough if you're not into it or procrastinate. Overall, it strikes a balance, maybe leaning a bit more toward the easier end for those who are genuinely interested.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in History.

Do History graduates from University of Oregon tend to make good money?

Alright, so let’s break down what these University of Oregon grads have been up to after finishing their history degrees. It seems like the financial outcomes vary quite a bit. For some, like the grad who became a Principal Analyst and Senior Manager at Thomson Reuters, it looks like they've climbed into some solid positions that likely come with decent paychecks. Others, like the grad teaching at DCPS or those in entry-level roles like client services, might not be raking in the big bucks just yet. And while owning a bridal shop can be a good gig, it really depends on how well it does in sales. Overall, it looks like a mixed bag—some have hit the financial jackpot while others are still grinding it out. So, if you’re aiming to make bank with a history degree, you might wanna think about what kind of job you end up in after graduation!

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 University of Oregon). 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