Business Careers and the Undergraduate History Curriculum

Abstract

HISTORY STUDENTS today can find increasing evidence that corporate business is one avenue for their talents. Some industries are filling a substantial portion of entry-level positions with history majors. A small number of companies have recognized the value of historical training in more advanced positions, particularly as analysts of national and international trends, as consultants or instructors of technical writing, and in management. Some companies have established corporate archives; others have commissioned the writing of histories of company development and activities. Undergraduate history majors are being accepted and sometimes even preferred over those with business degrees in many graduate programs in business. After a decade of decline in teaching positions, these developments offer perhaps the most promising opportunity for history departments to re-establish their discipline as one which has considerable career potential. But this opportunity demands that departments reconsider their goals and