Historian
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Introduction
A Historian is an academic and researcher who has committed themselves to study past events such as social movements, political milestones and military conflicts. The Important role a historian plays is to give a glimpse of the past by evaluating historical records and conducting field research and also obtaining historical data from libraries, archives, and artefacts, determining the authenticity of historical data and teaching or researching at universities.
The different types of Historians can be of Amature status or professional. Amature status historians are academics who have studied, read and researched history at the most basic level without any prior experience in the field. On the other hand, a professional historian is a person who is an expert in the field and has formal education and experience in the field of history or knows how to find and use the source materials and knows how to analyze the available information and convert it into a meaningful written piece.
Requirements
1. Educational Requirements
You must meet particular educational criteria to begin your career as a Historian. With these credentials Given Below, you’ll be able to start a career as a Historian. The requirements are as follows:
- The Candidate must be Certified in class 10+2 from a recognized exam board. They must also have a decent percentage of marks in 12th from any stream however, Arts is preferred.
- To become a Historian you need to have a Three year college degree in the Arts stream, majoring in History and any specific era or type of history to further niche down, such as BA, History of Indian artefacts, History of Egyptian artefacts, History of Music, History of Different cultures etc.
- They can either start looking for an internship right away or continue their education after graduation
- If you want to have a good chance of working in a reputed organisation, A master's degree is recommendable, such as a Master’s in History.
- They also need to have a good amount of experience to be considered professional, this experience can be gained from Interning or assisting different notable or professional and famous historians.
2. Soft Skills
Communication Skills
The historian needs to have good communication skills as they have to give presentations on their historical speciality to the public. Historians have also required communication skills when they interview people to collect oral histories, consult with clients, or collaborate with colleagues in their designated work environment.
Analytical skills
Historians must be able to Analyse the information and data in historical sources and draw logical conclusions from them, whether the sources are written documents, visual images, or material artefacts.
Problem solving skills
Historians literally try to answer questions about past memories and history, This may require them to investigate something unknown about a past idea, event, or person, they would also decipher historical information, or identify how the past has affected the present.
Research skills
It is by far the most obvious skill that a historian may require to keep in their arsenal to be truly great at their profession. Historians must be able to research, analyse and process information from a large number of historical documents, texts, and other sources with ease.
Writing skills
Writing skills are not something historians are known for but they do need it more often than you might think. Writing skills are essential for historians due to the fact that they often present their findings in reports, articles, books and nowadays even podcasts.
Detail Oriented
Another important skill is paying close attention to the details. One of the most important skills a Historian must possess is the ability to pay attention and be attentive to details.
Eligibility
Stream
Graduation
Post-graduation
Courses
Undergraduate courses
Postgraduate courses
Diploma courses
Internships
After the Candidates complete their academic studies or even while they are pursuing their studies, they must attend an internship or training program under a reputed Historian in a museum or on an excavation site. In a history internship you will gain many important skills in writing, teamwork, organization, accountability, and problem-solving among many others.
Internship opportunities for history students can foster great exploration of the field since there are so many categories and sub categories in history to consider and understand for a good career.
Informative or prestigious history internship programs create a good resume, provide valuable avenues to letters of recommendation, and can even be considered to be taken as full-time jobs.
Work Description
The Historian must be a critical thinker with excellent attention to detail. Historians are responsible for determining the Genuineness of historical data, preserving artefacts and significant documents in museums and libraries, and studying history at the intersection of society, culture, and economics, among other duties. What duties they will be assigned or what career path will be best suited for them is completely dependent on their specialization within the field, such as Egyptian, weapons, texts, etc.
- They need to obtain correct historical data from libraries, archives, and artefacts
- They also need to determine the authenticity of historical data and records
- They also need to determine the importance and significance of historical data and records
- They need to teach and do research at universities if necessary
- Translating historical documents into a modern language
- Research and find out the historical development of empires, countries, cities, or tribes
- They work to preserve artefacts and significant documents in museums or libraries
- They contribute to academic journals and present at conferences
- They work to study history at the intersection of society, culture, and economics
- Assist and part take in public exhibits
- Obtaining extensive information on historical figures for biographies is also part of the job
- They will also interview subject experts to gain a deeper understanding of historical events
Job Prospects
Archivist
Archivists also known as curators oversee collections of historical pieces such as art or other items and keep them in good care
Librarian
Librarians work in a historical library and work to assist with searching for information and also conduct their own research
Paralegal
Paralegals work as legal assistants and assist lawyers by preparing legal documents, investigating facts in a case, and researching past cases. Their work involves research and vast legal knowledge.
High School Teacher
High school teachers are responsible for educating students from high school such as from ninth through the twelfth standard, often in more than one subject area, such as English, mathematics, and obviously history.
Editor
Editors revise and prepare materials, in a historically accurate way to be published in print and digital media. They often work at newspapers, magazine publications, book publishing houses, and media networks.
Top Recruiters
Depending on their ability and experience in the industry, a History Major can be applied to various industries and sectors. The following are some of the most well-known recruiters of History Majors:
- Universities and schools and colleges
- Government Sector Organisations
- National heritage agencies and NGOs
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
- Public and private museums and cultural galleries
- Independent museums and galleries
- Government Organizations
- Research Sphere
- Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)
