How to Become a History Professor: Is it the Right Career for You?

History Professor Career Video

History professors play a vital role in educating future generations about our past, shaping critical thinking, and contributing original research that helps society understand cultural, political, and social developments. If you have a passion for history, enjoy teaching, and aspire to a career in academia, becoming a history professor could be an excellent fit.

This article explores the daily responsibilities of a history professor, the working environment, educational pathways, salary expectations, and labor market outlook. We’ll also cover related careers, job search resources, and self-assessment tools to help you decide if this is the right career for you.

Is a Career as a History Professor Right for You? Take Our Career Test

Our career test, also known as a career aptitude test, can help you determine if becoming a History Professor aligns with your strengths, skills, and passions.

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✅ A personality trait quiz to understand your work style

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What Does a History Professor Do?

History professors have a multifaceted role that goes well beyond delivering lectures. They engage in teaching, research, mentorship, and service to their academic community, playing a crucial role in shaping both student learning and the broader field of history.

Teaching Responsibilities

  • Lectures and Seminars: History professors teach a variety of courses that may cover broad time periods, such as ancient, medieval, or modern history, or specialized areas like cultural history, military history, economic history, or regional studies. They deliver lectures to large groups and facilitate smaller, interactive seminars that foster critical discussion, debate, and analysis.
  • Curriculum Development: Professors design course syllabi, update reading lists, and create assignments that reflect the latest scholarship and diverse historical perspectives. They ensure that the curriculum challenges students intellectually while remaining accessible and engaging.
  • Student Evaluation: They develop assessments, including exams, essays, and research projects. Providing detailed feedback, professors help students improve their critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills. They also supervise undergraduate theses and graduate dissertations.
  • Advising and Mentoring: Professors provide guidance to students on academic choices, career planning, and graduate school applications. They often mentor students in developing research projects and encourage them to participate in academic conferences and publications.

Research and Scholarship

  • Conduct Research: A significant part of a history professor’s role is conducting original research. This often involves extensive work with primary sources such as archival documents, historical records, artifacts, and oral histories, as well as critical analysis of secondary literature.
  • Publish Findings: Professors write scholarly articles, books, book chapters, and critical reviews that contribute to the advancement of historical knowledge and debates. Publishing in reputable journals and with academic presses is essential for career advancement.
  • Presenting at Conferences: Sharing research findings at national and international academic conferences allows professors to engage with peers, receive feedback, and stay current in their field.
  • Grant Writing: Professors seek external funding to support their research projects. Writing successful grant proposals is crucial for securing resources to travel, access archives, or support research assistants.

Service and Administration

  • Departmental Duties: Professors participate in department meetings, contribute to curriculum planning, and may serve on hiring committees to recruit new faculty.
  • Community Engagement: Many history professors organize public lectures, history clubs, exhibitions, or outreach programs that connect academic research with the broader community.
  • University Service: Beyond the department, professors often serve on university-wide committees, such as those for tenure review, diversity initiatives, or student affairs. Some take on administrative roles such as department chair, program director, or graduate advisor.

In summary, history professors balance teaching, research, mentorship, and service responsibilities to foster academic growth and contribute to the understanding of history, both within and outside the classroom.

What Is the Working Environment for a History Professor?

Academic Settings

Most history professors work in colleges and universities—both public and private institutions. They may teach at community colleges, liberal arts colleges, or research universities.

Work Schedule

  • Flexible Hours: Professors often set their own schedules, balancing teaching, research, and administrative duties.
  • Semester-Based: The academic calendar typically governs the busiest times, such as exam periods and the start/end of semesters.
  • Remote Work: While teaching is mostly in-person, some professors may also teach online courses or work remotely on research projects.

Workload and Stress

  • Heavy Workload: Balancing teaching, research, publishing, and service can be demanding.
  • Job Security: Tenure-track positions offer long-term job security but are highly competitive. Adjunct roles tend to be part-time with less stability.

Collegial Environment

Professors work closely with colleagues in history and related disciplines. Collaboration on research or interdisciplinary programs is common.

How Do You Become a History Professor?

Educational Requirements

  • Bachelor’s Degree: Start with a bachelor’s degree in history or a related field.
  • Graduate Studies: Earn a master’s degree, but most tenure-track professor positions require a PhD in history.
  • Doctoral Program: Focus on a specific historical area, complete coursework, pass comprehensive exams, and write a dissertation.

Gaining Experience

  • Teaching Assistantships: Graduate programs often offer teaching assistant roles to provide students with valuable classroom experience.
  • Research Publications: Publish papers in academic journals during graduate studies.
  • Conferences: Attend and present at academic conferences to build your network and increase visibility.

Job Market Preparation

  • Postdoctoral Fellowships: These can help build credentials and research portfolios.
  • Networking: Connect with faculty, mentors, and professional organizations.
  • Job Applications: Prepare a CV, cover letter, teaching philosophy statement, and research agenda.

Certification and Licenses

No formal teaching license is required, but some universities may require continuing education or professional development.

Useful Links

What Is the Salary of a History Professor?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2023, the median annual wage for postsecondary teachers, including history professors, was approximately $85,500. However, salaries vary widely depending on the institution, location, experience, and tenure status.

  • Entry-Level: Assistant professors typically begin with salaries ranging from $55,000 to $70,000.
  • Mid-Level: Associate professors typically earn between $70,000 and $90,000.
  • Senior Level: Full professors can make over $100,000 annually, especially at research universities.

For current salary data, see: BLS Postsecondary Teachers Salary

What Is the Labor Market for a History Professor?

The demand for history professors is expected to grow moderately. According to BLS projections, employment of postsecondary teachers is expected to grow about 11% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

  • Competition: Positions are highly competitive, especially tenure-track roles, due to the large number of qualified candidates.
  • Adjunct Roles: There is growth in part-time, adjunct teaching roles, which may offer less stability and lower pay.
  • Field Variability: Demand may vary by specialty and institution type.

For a comparative perspective, Preschool & Daycare Administrators have an expected job growth rate of about 10% (BLS), indicating steady demand in both education-related fields.

Reference links:

What Are the Pros and Cons of Being a History Professor?

Pros

  • Passion-Driven Work: Engage deeply with history and share your passion with students.
  • Intellectual Freedom: Pursue independent research and publish findings.
  • Flexible Schedule: Enjoy autonomy in planning, teaching, and research.
  • Impact: Influence students’ understanding of history and critical thinking skills.
  • Job Security: Tenure-track roles offer long-term employment and academic freedom.

Cons

  • Competitive Job Market: Securing tenure-track roles can be challenging.
  • Workload: Balancing teaching, research, and service demands significant time.
  • Pressure to Publish: The “publish or perish” culture can be a source of stress.
  • Adjunct Challenges: Many professors work part-time with limited pay and benefits.
  • Funding: Research funding may be limited depending on the field.

What Are the Careers Related to Being a History Professor?

Here are related careers, with links to O*NET Online:

  • Archivist
    Archivists assess, collect, organize, and maintain historical documents and records, preserving them for future research and public access.
  • Curator
    Curators manage museum collections, organize exhibitions, and educate the public about historical artifacts.
  • Librarian
    Librarians organize and manage library resources, assist patrons with research, and curate special collections, often including historical materials.
  • High School History Teacher
    Teach history to middle and high school students, developing curricula and promoting historical literacy at the secondary education level.
  • Anthropologist and Archeologist
    Study human history and prehistory through the excavation and analysis of artifacts, providing insights into ancient cultures.

History Professor – A Social Career Path

A History Professor is a profession that aligns mainly with the Social personality type, with some Investigative traits, in the Holland Code (RIASEC) system. This framework helps match your interests and traits with compatible careers. You can learn your unique three-letter Holland Code by taking the Career Fit Test™.

Those with Social personalities thrive on teaching, mentoring, and helping others learn and grow, while Investigative individuals enjoy researching and analyzing information. As a History Professor, you’ll teach university courses, engage students in critical discussions about historical events, and mentor them in developing analytical skills. You’ll also conduct research and publish scholarly work, but the core of the role focuses on educating and inspiring students, making it ideal for those passionate about history and interpersonal connections.

List of Holland Social Careers

Below are many more social careers. Additionally, see our article, Finding the Right Career for Your Social Personality.

To determine which careers best fit you, take a career test such as the Career Fit Test™.

What Types of Jobs Can a History Professor Pursue?

History professors often pursue various academic and non-academic career paths, including:

  • Tenure-Track Faculty: Assistant, associate, and full professor roles in colleges and universities.
  • Adjunct or Lecturer Positions: Part-time teaching roles across educational institutions.
  • Research Fellowships: Positions funded by universities or grants focused on historical research.
  • Museum or Archival Work: Curating exhibits, managing collections, or working as a historian in cultural institutions.
  • Public History: Roles in historical preservation, consulting, or government agencies.
  • Author or Editor: Writing books, journals, or educational materials related to history.
  • Consultant: Advising on historical content for media, documentaries, or educational programs.

What Websites Are Best for Finding History Professor Jobs?

Here are some of the top job search platforms for history professors:

How Do I Know If I Should Be a History Professor?

Deciding to become a history professor involves assessing your interests, skills, and personality to ensure a good fit for the career.

Take a Career Aptitude Test

Start by taking the Free Career Fit Test™, which combines three key assessments:

  • Career Test: Matches your passions and intellectual interests with careers in history and academia.
  • Career Aptitude Assessment: Measures skills like critical thinking, research ability, communication, and teaching aptitude.
  • Personality Trait Quiz: Evaluates traits such as curiosity, patience, persistence, and comfort with public speaking.

The comprehensive Career Fit Test™ Premium Report provides a Skills Map™ that identifies your core strengths and suggests careers that best fit your profile, helping you live your calling in a career you love.

Conduct Informational Interviews

Speak with current history professors to learn about their experiences and insights. Ask about:

  • Their daily tasks and challenges
  • Balancing research and teaching
  • Job satisfaction and work-life balance
  • Advice for aspiring academics

These conversations provide invaluable insights and help clarify your own fit.

Gain Experience

  • Volunteer as a teaching assistant or tutor in history courses.
  • Participate in research projects or internships related to historical research or museums.
  • Attend history lectures and seminars to gain a sense of the academic environment.

How Can I Learn More About a Career as a History Professor?

For further exploration, use these resources:

Conclusion

Becoming a history professor offers a rewarding career for those passionate about the past, education, and research. It requires dedication to rigorous study and teaching but provides opportunities to influence minds and contribute original scholarship.

Before committing, take the Free Career Fit Test™ to evaluate your interests, aptitudes, and personality. This career test will guide you in finding a path that fits your unique strengths and helps you thrive in academia or related fields.

With preparation and passion, you can build a fulfilling career as a history professor and make a lasting impact on education and society.