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Department of History

Careers

What can you do with a history degree? Explore some of the most common history jobs and find out what Rollins history alums are doing.

Rollins history grads enter a variety of occupations, but over the past 75 years they've trended towards careers in education; law; banking and financial services; government and politics; and media, journalism and publishing.

Top 5 Careers For Rollins History Majors

Rollins history grads enter a variety of occupations, but over the past 75 years they've trended towards careers in education; law; banking and financial services; government and politics; and media, journalism and publishing.

Overview

Students who graduate with a major in history have entered a variety of occupations. Teaching remains the most obvious career choice. Graduates intending to teach either acquire a Ph.D. and become professional historians, teaching at a college or university, or obtain certification and teach at the secondary level. Other options within the history profession include working with historical museums, state or local historical societies, archives or historical libraries, and historical preservation organizations or governmental agencies.

Less apparent alternatives also exist for the history graduate. History majors develop skills that can be applied to any number of professions. Students learn to read documents and books critically and analytically; they develop writing skills; and they master the ability to think clearly and objectively. These intellectual tools will serve the graduate well in any profession he or she wants to pursue.

Our graduates have successfully enter fields as diverse as banking, publishing, insurance, investments, sales, and other business- and management-related fields. Many have found the history major an excellent preparation for law school. Others have entered government, social service, and the helping professions They have succeeded in these fields, they report, in part because of the preparation the history major gave them.

By The Numbers

Careers of Rollins History Majors (1975-2022)

  • Education: 17%
  • Other: 16%
  • Law: 13%
  • Banking & Financial Services: 11%
  • Media, Journalism & Publishing: 11%
  • Business: 5%
  • Government & Politics: 4%
  • Contacting/Construction & Manufacturing: 4%
  • Advertising, PR & Retail Sales: 4%
  • Healthcare: 4%
  • Real Estate: 4%
  • Sports & Recreation: 3%
  • Non-Profit: 2%
  • Hospitality, Travel & Transportation: 2%

Alumni Profiles

Find out how Rollins alums are applying their history educations.

Stephen Berry Leading Digital History Push

The Rollins history alum is a Civil War-era historian and the co-director of the Center for Virtual History at the University of Georgia.
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Eric Marshall ’91

The Vice President of Sales at the Universal Orlando Resort, Marshall has worked on everything from the unveiling of the Blue Man Group to the opening of Harry Potter World.
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Taylor Metcalfe ’72

Metcalfe is a financial advisor and senior vice president with Merrill Lynch. He has been with the company for more than 30 years.
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Chris Russo ’82

Chris Russo, known as “Mad Dog” is a sports radio personality best known as the former co-host of the “Mike and the Mad Dog” sports show, which was broadcast on WFAN in New York City. Russo joined Sirius XM Radio in August 2008 and oversees his own channel, “Mad Dog Radio”, and host the afternoon show “Mad Dog Unleashed”. Russo earned a bachelor’s degree in history while at Rollins. As a student, he was active with WPRK radio. 
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