The author Pearl S. Buck once said, "If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday." For historians, this search is based in inquiry, research, and synthesis of what has happened in the past—with attention to the possible implications for the future.
History is a common major for students in 4-year liberal arts programs. Most history majors choose a specific era/part of the world to focus their ... studies on. They engage in scholarly research, digging through historical archives while consulting the work of contemporary historians. Their studies focus not only on factual information, but on the critical thinking and strong writing skills needed to analyze and present this information in a meaningful way
Humans may have been curious about their past since the beginning of civilization, but only recently, in the Internet age, has so much information been available to so many people instantaneously. This has changed the work of the historian, but it has also changed the life of the student. These days, it is no longer necessary to sit in a classroom in order to receive a high quality education. Online degree programs make it possible for history students to log into class, receive instruction, conduct research, and create presentations, all from a single computer.
Although some History majors go on to become historical scholars, usually by obtaining a doctorate degree, many others move onto careers that focus on changing society—in government, for non-profits, as teachers, and in private organizations. Some combine their backgrounds in history with foreign language skills and become involved in international business.
History may be a common course of study, but the life course that each student follows is unique.
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