Historian
Conduct research into past human activity and behaviours
Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right now
Job growth
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5-year projection
Salary
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Typical salary
Job satisfaction
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Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right now
Salary
-
Typical salary
Job growth
-
5-year projection
Job satisfaction
-
What's it like to be a Historian?
Historians work mostly as academics at universities, using their expertise in research to discover new facts about the past. Historians may also work as archivists, collecting and preserving important historical documents, or with government agencies, preserving buildings or artwork. Historians may also be consultants for the media (TV, radio, film) to ensure all aspects of the project in question are historically accurate.
Tasks and duties
- Assessing the legitimacy and accuracy of historical sources.
- Examining historical artefacts, archives, diaries, manuscripts, reports, statistics, images, works of art, photographs, letters, newspapers, magazines and journals.
- Planning questions and recording interviews.
- Writing findings in history books about all kinds of topics, times, people and places.
- Presenting findings and conclusions through reports, the media, journal articles, books, lectures and museum exhibitions.
- Examining and interpreting evidence of past events by studying the works of other historians and researchers.
- Performing research and teaching at institutions such as universities and schools.
How to become a Historian
A bachelor degree in the field of History is required to become a Historian. Most Historians then undertake a masters or doctoral degree, where they conduct research and write a thesis in their chosen subject area.
- Complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in the field of History (such as Australian, Asian or European History). To get into the degree courses you need to be 17 or over and have completed Year 12 with an appropriate Universities Admission Index.
- Undertake postgraduate research (a masters or doctorate degree) is optional but it can extend your skills in research, analysis and writing through the preparation of a thesis on a selected topic.
- If you wish to teach History in secondary schools, an education qualification is also required.
- Become a member of a Professional Historians Association.
- Explore opportunities for employment at universities or schools, government, commercial and private organisations, societies and churches.
Latest Historian jobs on SEEK
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Skills and experience employers are looking for
Having the right skills and experience can make you an in-demand applicant. Historian employers on SEEK are looking for job seekers with expertise in the following areas.
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data
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