Is a degree in history worth anything?

[Patrick D]

I'm attending college in a matter of months and kind of want to major in history. I love history. Getting lost in history books puts me in a different state of reality and opens my imagination and makes me actually feel good. I would be happy just teaching history but I want to do more than that in life. Can you actually get a job as a historian? What are my options with a history major and what important things could I accomplish with this degree?

 

[llordlloyd]

Your major will cease to matter a few months into your job, but your knowledge of history, ability to draw historical parallels, and to understand historical references, will impress the hell out of people and make you sound smart. The lessons of history will help you deal with everyday problems, understand human behaviours and psychology (much better than a psychology degree!), and generally be sure of your decisions.

Anything involving writing and argument is greatly assisted by knowledge of history, and just reading history will make you learn the techniques by imitation.