Exploring Alternatives

It is no secret that the academic job market is not flourishing. It is unconscionable to mentor students today without discussing career paths that range further afield. This chapter takes as its premise that every History student should be looking into a Plan B, and probably a Plan C as well. Your particular version of this might involve academic-adjacent jobs—universities, libraries, and publishing houses employ people in quite various roles—or the public-facing history positions at museums, archives, and heritage sites. You have probably heard of examples of people with History degrees who went on to excel in other kinds of professions altogether, although how they initially got their foothold there may seem a little mysterious. As you seek to translate your credentials and work experience into a resume that will speak to potential employers, many of the tips and tricks already covered in this book will help you communicate here. Whatever your preferred version of Plan A might look like, this concluding chapter will help you appreciate your strengths, position yourself wisely, and—when possible—make your own luck.