What can you do with a History degree from Virginia Military Institute?

First, some facts. Of the History graduates from Virginia Military Institute 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? Horrible! Overall, with an average relevance score of 14%, History graduates from Virginia Military Institute have an exceptionally lower likelihood (-53%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 14%
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, only 18% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most History graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random History graduate from Virginia Military Institute and our analysis:


Relevance score: 0%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2017 from Virginia Military Institute with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in History. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Division Officer
US Navy
May 2017 - Jun 2020
The role of Division Officer at the US Navy does not utilize knowledge or skills specifically gained from a Bachelor's degree in History, as it focuses on military operations and management rather than historical analysis or interpretation.

Weapons Officer
US Navy
Jun 2020 - Feb 2023
As a Weapons Officer at the US Navy, the job primarily requires technical and operational expertise related to weaponry and defense systems, without relevance to the historical knowledge acquired through a History degree.

Assistant Training Officer
US Navy
Feb 2023 - Present
The position of Assistant Training Officer at the US Navy involves training and operational planning rather than utilizing historical knowledge or skills, making it unrelated to the Bachelor's in History.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a History degree from Virginia Military Institute?

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 trajectories of History graduates from Virginia Military Institute, it’s pretty evident that a lot of them have ventured into military careers. Many have taken on roles like Second Lieutenant, Platoon Leader, and various positions within the U.S. Army and Navy. While these jobs do require strong leadership and strategic thinking skills, they don't really tap into the historical knowledge that students gain during their degree. In fact, many of the roles seem more focused on logistics, operations, and management than on any historical analysis or research.

Aside from military roles, there are also graduates who’ve ended up in management positions, like Call Center Manager or Development Officer. Even though some of these jobs might benefit from skills like storytelling and context interpretation that a History degree can provide, they largely center around organizational duties rather than directly applying historical knowledge. Overall, while a History degree offers valuable skills, it seems that many of these alumni have taken paths that are more about leadership and management in general rather than delving into the historical research or analysis that you might expect from their studies. So, if you're thinking about a History degree, keep in mind that you might find yourself in roles where you’re not necessarily using historical knowledge every day. Instead, you could be leveraging other skills and experiences gained during 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 Virginia Military Institute):

What kind of career trajectories do History graduates from Virginia Military Institute have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates with a History degree from Virginia Military Institute (VMI) often find themselves on a very structured and disciplined career path, largely influenced by the military training and leadership opportunities the school provides. Right out of college, many of them step into roles as Second Lieutenants or similar positions within the U.S. Army, Navy, or Marine Corps. This military route seems to be a common first job, and it makes sense given VMI's strong connection to military leadership and service. For instance, you can see that several graduates secured officer positions shortly after completing their studies, often participating in a variety of tactical and leadership roles that further develop their skills in planning and operations.

Fast forward five to ten years, and many of these alumni continue to climb the ranks within the military or transition into roles that leverage their leadership experience, like managerial positions in civilian sectors or sports management, as seen with some who have shifted to working in rugby-related roles. However, it’s also evident that a portion of graduates veer off into more conventional business or non-profit roles, sometimes in areas not directly related to History. While this diverse mix indicates that some might not be utilizing their History degree directly, they often capitalized on their leadership training and broader skills developed during their time at VMI. Overall, it seems like graduates generally establish solid careers, often tied to their military background, but there is a noticeable spread into various sectors, including emergency services and athletics, showcasing flexibility in their career trajectories.

How hard is a History degree from Virginia Military Institute?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in History at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) can be challenging, but it really depends on how you approach it. VMI is known for its rigorous academic environment and military structure, which can make the workload feel a bit tougher than at a traditional college. Expect a lot of reading and writing, with assignments that encourage you to dive deep into major historical events and concepts. If you enjoy history and love digging into what shaped the world, you might find the experience engaging and rewarding. But if you're not as passionate about the subject or struggle with academic writing, it could feel a bit overwhelming. Overall, it’s likely to be on the more challenging side of the spectrum, especially compared to average degrees, but the effort can definitely be worth it if you’re committed!

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 Virginia Military Institute tend to make good money?

Looking at these History grads from the Virginia Military Institute, it seems like many of them have landed pretty solid jobs, especially those who went into the military, which typically offers stable salaries and benefits. You've got folks who are working in various levels of leadership in the Army and Navy, which usually comes with decent pay, especially as they climb the ranks. Some have also pivoted into civilian roles in management and production in sports—again, often with good earning potential. Of course, some entry-level positions may start lower, especially right out of school, but overall, it seems like they’re on a decent path to make good money over time. So, it looks like they’re doing alright financially!

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 Virginia Military Institute). 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