Careers in History

Occupational Outlook Handbook

The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a great resource for anyone interested in pursuing a career in history. The handbook provides detailed information on a variety of history-related occupations. In addition, the handbook includes information on job outlook and salary data, making it an essential tool for anyone considering a career in history.

Visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Departmental Career Overview

The Department of History encourages Southern students to investigate and interrogate local, national, or international events and historical figures. To be curious and ask questions about the how and why help them develop into thoughtful and productive citizens not only in their local towns and cities, but in Connecticut, the New England Region, the nation, and in the world.  Through curriculum, internal and external experiential and research opportunities history students develop skills that are not only marketable but also vital to the 21st-century citizen.

General Career Assistance

SCSU students have the opportunity to work collaboratively with department faculty to receive career assistance through academic advising sessions, academic coursework, the history club, the department’s honor society, Phi Alpha Theta, and departmental events throughout the year. These opportunities are advertised via email. The American Historical Association’s career resources page also provides valuable information about careers in history. Additionally, the Office of Career & Professional Development is available to provide various levels of focused career assistance. Students should visit the Office of Career & Professional Development throughout their tenure at SCSU.

Internship, Experiential Learning, and Research Opportunities  

Students accumulate and practice their historical skills through a variety of opportunities on campus, within the Greater New Haven area, the State of Connecticut, New England region, and throughout the United States. A sample of student opportunities include the following:

  • Internships – SCSU students are directly obtaining knowledge, skills and competency acquisition in a variety of professional, academic, industry, and nonprofit companies and organizations
  • Experiential learning – SCSU students have the occasion to practice their historical skills through class projects, club activities, honor society events, and external service learning opportunities while serving the campus and Greater New Haven community.
  • Independent Study and Student Research – SCSU students have the opportunity to develop new knowledge and scholarly inquiries within a topical area of their choice under the guidance and supervision of faculty members.

Success Stories of Recent Graduates

Graduates of the Department of History have the opportunity to work full-time or attend graduate school after graduation. Sample graduates have transitioned to the following roles:

  • Appraiser for the State Historic Preservation Office
  • Human Resources – Griffin Hospital
  • Academic Advisor/Student Services Specialist – University of Massachusetts, Boston
  • Director of Operations – College of Health Sciences, University of New Haven
  • Senior Director, Brand Marketing at Cuebiq
  • High School and Middle School Social Studies Teachers throughout Connecticut and the United States
  • Fulbright Scholar at Royal Holloway, University of London

Adam Pelz (BS/MA ‘22/’23) graduated with social studies teacher certification 7-12 and is now completing his master’s degree while holding a full-time teaching position for 7th Grade Current Events at Bailey Middle School in West Haven, CT.

Sarah Gossman (BA ’22), a Barnard Award winner is at Central CT State University pursuing her master’s degree in Counselor Education with a specialization in Student Development in Higher Education.

Liam Norton (BA ’20) is in his second year of teaching social studies at Adams Middle School in Guilford, CT.

Derek Pearson (BS ’20) wrote “The history department at Southern is full of caring people who have helped me at every step of my undergraduate career. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today!” Derek recently graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with his master’s degree in history specializing in science and technology.

Donald Dostie (BA ’18) is completing his doctoral degree at Temple University.

Sarah Gardocki (BA ‘17), who graduated a few years ago, is now working as Assistant VicePresident for Enrollment Communications at Salem Academy and College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Daisha Brabham (BS ’17) completed her MA in Public History at Royal Holloway, London through a Fulbright Award in May 2020. She teaches at Norwalk Public School as well as teaching US History for us and assisting with our certification program.

Lauren (Ericson) Casolo (BS ’15) moved on to a master’s degree at Georgia State University in Heritage Preservation – Public History and currently works as a Select Appraiser for Enservio

Megan Granfield (BA ’14) moved on to law school at Roger Williams University (JD ’17) and is currently an Associate at Sullivan, Griffith & Beatty, LLP in Mystic CT.

Jessica Dooling (BA ’11, MA ’17) works as a Library Service Assistant at Yale University’s Sterling Library.

Aaron Johnson (BA ’04) earned his teaching credentials in the SUNY system and moved on to a doctorate in Education from St. John’s University in Educational Leadership and is now an Assistant Principal at Freeport High School on Long Island.