The History Undergrad

As a non-traditional student, I came to the University of Mary Washington certain of what I will be pursuing for both my Bachelors and Masters. When you own a home, are married, and college is on your own tab, there is no room for flippant major changes. The History undergraduate degree is one of a couple of options to enter the graduate Education program, where I will move toward the secondary education History and Geography licensure. Teaching history will provide me with the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics, including art and literature, in context to major events, people and people groups, and experiences. Having received my Associates in Education K – 8, I am certain that I want to teach and preferably at a low-income city school. These degrees will not only prepare me to teach history but spread a love of the subject and show my students that history has the ability to integrate with so many other fields. Additionally, History majors gain invaluable skills while earning our degree that will make us an asset to our co-workers and our students.

One of my first college professors offered a laundry list of reasons why a Bachelors in History make a historian an asset to nearly any job. Here are some of those reasons and how they can be applied to the use of my degree. First, historians are skilled at seeing patterns and strategies, so we can analyze them and make long term plans. Second, we are trained to be aware of situations and to understand people. Third, we are organized and critical researchers that are concise when we communicate. Fourth, we are not only proficient writers but excellent oral communicators. Every aspect of our training for a job in history is truly applicable to being a great leader in any job, but particularly helpful when teaching. Not only can we strategize new ways for our students to learn, but how to help them and our team succeed and be more efficient.

Upon receiving my Bachelors in History, I plan to continue on to UMW’s graduate program for secondary Education. According to Virginia certifications, my Bachelors in History, along with an array of practicums through the Education program, qualifies us to teach History, Government, Economics, Geography, and Psychology. No matter which subject I am asked to teach, be it in middle school or high school, I am certain that I can succeed with the skills obtained through my undergraduate degree in History.

2 thoughts on “The History Undergrad

  1. This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

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