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Career Opportunities for Majors in History & Political Science

Introduction

History is the study and research of major social, political, cultural, and economic events of the past, and provides a perspective on events that have shaped the contemporary world. The history department offers an array of two hundred course offerings and many research opportunities. Classes focus on areas such as Global History, European History, U.S. History, and Premodern Civilization. The political science major is designed to expose students to the philosophical and practical problems of political organization, action, and governance and to encourage critical thinking about the nature of citizenship, rights, and duties in the modern world. The curriculum is divided into three general areas: theoretical approaches to politics, American institutions and politics, and foreign and international politics. Coursework focuses on Politics, American Government, Law, International Relations, and Foreign Politics.

History and political science graduates work in a wide variety of areas including business, law, politics, social service, and education. Many of these students pursue advanced degrees, some in related fields and some in other areas. Many careers do not require a specific major but rather a wide range of demonstrated skills and accomplishments. Regardless of your career choices, increase your marketability to employers through internships, responsible work experience, good grades and involvement in college activities.


A Sample of Related Occupations

ArchivistGovernment Agency AdministratorLawyer
Business ManagerHistorianLobbyist
Community Action SpecialistHistoric Preservation SpecialistMarket Research Analyst
Community Relations DirectorHistoric Site AdministratorMuseum Curator
Congressional AideHistoric Site Tour GuideNonprofit Administrator
Consumer AdvocateHistorical Society Staff MemberPolitical Scientist
DiplomatHuman Resources SpecialistPolitician
Economic Development AnalystInsurance AgentPublic Administrator
EditorInternational BankerPublic Policy Specialist
FBI/CIA AgentInternational Relations SpecialistPublic Relations Specialist
Federal InvestigatorInternational Trade SpecialistTeacher
Foreign Service OfficerJournalistWriter/Author

Types of Employers

Private & Nonprofit Organizations
Advertising AgenciesCultural OrganizationsNewspapers
ArchivesEducational InstitutionsPolitical Organizations
BanksFoundationsProfessional Associations
Book / Magazine Publishing CompaniesHistoric Sites / Historical SocietiesPublic Interest Groups
Civic OrganizationsInsurance Companies Public Relations Firms
Collection AgenciesLabor UnionsRadio/TV Companies
Community Arts CentersLaw FirmsResearch Firms
Community OrganizationsLibraries 
Consulting FirmsMuseums 

Government Agencies
Department of CommerceFederal/State Congressional OfficesPeace Corps/AmeriCorps
Department of JusticeGeneral Accounting Office Smithsonian Institution
Department of StateNational Archives & Records Admin.U.S. Customs Service
Drug Enforcement AdministrationNational Endowment for the HumanitiesU.S. Information Agency
FBI/CIANational Park Service 

Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates

Jobs of Recent Alumni 
Account Analyst, Guy Carpenter and CompanyKindergarten Teacher, Linn Hill School
Account Executive, VIP ComputersLegal Assistant, Baker and McKenzie
Assistant Director of Admissions, Upsala CollegeManagement Associate, MetLife
Assistant Mortgage Analyst, Salomon BrothersProgram Development Specialist, County of Union
Customer Service Representative, Ford Motor CreditResearch Assistant, NJ General Assembly
Department Manager, Lord and TaylorSales Representative, MCI Communications
Editor, Silver Burdett GinnSecurity Manager, Nobody Beats The Wiz
Editorial Assistant, Princeton UniversitySocial Studies Teacher, Gloucester High School
Federal Investigator, US Office PersonnelStore Manager, Mikasa
Financial Analyst, Chase Manhattan BankTaxpayer Service Representative, IRS
Health Claims Examiner, Colonial Penn Insurance Technical Analyst, Prudential Mutual

Jobs of Experienced Alumni 
Account Manager, Nielsen Marketing Resaerch (MBA)Police Chief, Plainsboro (MA Criminal Justice)
Assistant Editor, Philadelphia InquirerPresident, Political Consulting Firm (JD)
Associate Editor, H.W. Wilson (MLS)Product Development Manager, Great Atlantic Pacific Tea Co. (MBA)
Associate Publisher, Elsevier Science PublishingProgram Officer, NJ Department of Higher Education
Corp. Director, Industrial Relations, American CyanamidPublic Relations Director, The Seeing Eye
Deputy Attorney General, Law & Public Safety Dept. (JD)Purchasing Services Manager, Hanover Insurance Co.
Director of Labor Relations, Prudential Insurance (JD)Real Estate Attorney, Cucker, Kraws & Bruh (JD)
District Sales Manager, Gordon PublicationsReal Estate Broker, The Prudential
Exec. Dir., NJ Election Enforcement Commission (PhD History)Reporter, Maryland Independent Newspaper
Financial Consultant, Shearson Lehman HuttonResearch Planner, NJ Office of State Planning
History Professor, Coe College (PhD History)Sales Representative, Johnson and Johnson
Human Resources Manager, Coopers and LybrandSenior Staff Associate, George Meany Center for Labor Studies (MA Political Science)
Instructor, Easter Seal Adult Training CenterSpecialist, Gerontologic Services, Jewish Family Service (MSS)
Judge, Superior Court of NJ (JD)Supervisory Budget Analyst, USDA
Library Director, Bloomfield Public Library (MLS)Vice President, Hamilton Bank (MBA)
Marketing Manager, Carretta TruckingVP, Resources Development & PR, Lenox Hill Hospital
Personnel Administrator, IBM Corporation  


Graduate Schools Attended

HistoryPolitical Science
Boston University, JD, LawHoward University, PhD, Entertainment Law
Georgian Court College, PhD, History/Social StudiesRutgers University, MA, Public Policy
Lehigh University, PhD American StudiesRutgers University, PhD, Political Science
New York University, MA, Music TechnologyUniversity of Maryland, MSW, Social Work
Princeton University, PhD, PsychologyUniversity of Maryland, PhD, Public Policy
Rutgers University, MA, Special EducationUniversity of Pennsylvania, PhD, Political Science
Rutgers University, PhD, CommunicationUniversity of Vermont, PhD, Higher Educ./Student Affairs
Seton Hall, PhD, International DiplomacyYeshiva University, MSW, Community Social Work
University of Colorado, PhD, Religious Studies 
University of Pennsylvania, MA, Government Administration 
University of Pennsylvania, PhD, History 
University of Pittsburgh, MA, International Relations 
Washington & Lee Univ., PhD, Corporate/Int'l. Law 


Additionally, you may:
 


 

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Employer questions? Contact recruiting@echo.rutgers.edu

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