First, some facts. Of the History graduates from University of Virginia 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 18 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 50%, History graduates from University of Virginia have a much lower likelihood (-17%) 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, 44% 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: 69%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from University of Virginia with a Bachelor's degree in History. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONAccount ExecutiveJoele Frank Sep 2016 - Jun 2018 Senior Account Executive Joele Frank Jun 2018 - Feb 2019 Program Coordinator, Community Affairs | Morgan Stanley Foundation Morgan Stanley Mar 2019 - Nov 2019 Analyst, Community Affairs | Morgan Stanley Foundation Morgan Stanley Nov 2019 - Jan 2021 Associate, Community Affairs | Morgan Stanley Foundation Morgan Stanley Jan 2021 - Jan 2023 Manager, Community Affairs | Morgan Stanley Foundation Morgan Stanley Jan 2023 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When you look at the job paths of people with a History degree from the University of Virginia, there's quite a mix of roles. Many graduates took positions in education, like teaching high school history or social studies, which makes perfect sense. These teaching roles leverage their historical knowledge directly, enriching students' understanding of the past. However, a significant number of graduates ended up in jobs that don’t seem directly related to history at all, such as proposal coordinators, legal assistants, or even professional athletes. It’s clear that a History degree equips graduates with critical thinking and analytical skills, but not all of them found a way to apply that directly in their careers.
Interestingly, there are several roles where historical knowledge plays a part, even if it’s not in traditional history-related jobs. For instance, some graduates became freelance writers or reporters, where they might draw on historical context for their pieces, while others ventured into community-oriented roles, reflecting on social justice issues. So, while many jobs didn't explicitly require history expertise, the skills developed during their studies helped in broader ways, proving that a History degree can be quite versatile. Overall, though, if you're considering a degree in history, be ready for a range of career paths that may or may not directly relate to the subject matter of your studies!
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 Virginia):
When looking at the career trajectories of University of Virginia graduates with a degree in History, it's clear that they often start their professional journeys in education or media-related roles. For many of them, the first job after graduation is often something like teaching, reporting, or even roles that involve writing and communication. For instance, graduates have taken on positions as substitute teachers or freelance writers shortly after earning their degree. These first roles seem to reflect the skills they've honed during their studies, particularly in critical thinking, research, and communication.
Fast forward five to ten years, and the story is a bit mixed. Some graduates have transitioned into quite stable careers in education, legal fields, or even business management. For example, there are those who have moved up the ranks to become successful attorneys, proposal coordinators, and business development managers. However, there are also quite a few who might seem a bit disconnected from their History degree—a good number of graduates end up in jobs that don’t directly relate to their degree, like account executives, sales leads, and even general labor positions. So, while some find fruitful paths related to history or teaching, others might drift into careers that feel somewhat off-track for a History major. In essence, it's a bit of a mixed bag where some thrive while others seemingly venture outside the expected career paths.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in History at the University of Virginia can be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. On one hand, UVA has a solid reputation, so you can expect some challenging courses that will make you really think critically about events, cultures, and theories. You'll be expected to do a lot of reading, writing, and analysis, which can be time-consuming and sometimes overwhelming if you’re not super into it. However, if you're passionate about history and enjoy digging into different time periods and perspectives, it can feel a lot more manageable and even fun. Overall, it's about average in terms of difficulty compared to other degrees—you’ll definitely have to put in the effort, but it’s not insurmountable if you stay organized and engaged!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in History.
So, looking at these UVA history grads, it seems like they're mostly on a mixed financial track. The ones who went into teaching or coaching might not be raking in the big bucks, especially since teacher salaries can be pretty modest. Those working in freelance writing or creative industries, like screenwriting and filmmaking, might hit it big occasionally, but it can be super unpredictable, you know? Then you have the grads who moved into business development or legal fields; they likely have a better chance at making decent coin, especially as they advance in their careers. Overall, it's a bit of a mixed bag, but many seem to be doing just okay in their careers without necessarily becoming wealthy right off the bat.
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 Virginia). 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: