Some common answers: teaching public school/community college history or stepping up to law school.

Now that those are out of the way, remember that you have a very interesting interest and skill-set! Look into labor activism or other public policy outlets. Also, if you can stand it, don't forget the for-profit sector. You might find your dream job in labor relations, data analysis, or even corporate history (yes, some big companies employ internal historians!).

Most I listed above really depend on your specific academic concentration. You might also find a historian's sleuthing skills put to good use in law enforcement or even journalism, assuming you can find paid work in that field these days.

Good luck in any case!

I completed my Master's in 2012. Since then I have made a whopping $600 from two magazine articles. That is the only history related work I've found. I'm currently working a seasonal job for $8 an hour. I'm teaching myself programming, but I've always toyed with the idea of a Ph.D to try and land some government or non-profit job. I live in the middle of nowhere so real research is impossible for me to do and I haven't done much to write new things because of that. A Ph.D would at least get me back around a research library.

I can't particularly answer your question, but /r/highereducation and /r/gradschool may be helpful to you. Check out their sidebars too. Good luck!

So my question (finally) is, what did those of you who didn't take the final step towards becoming historians do to find satisfying and interesting careers? How did you manage to stay immersed in academic culture?

I abandoned a PhD program in musicology back in 2006. Got burnt out, just couldn't do it anymore and stay sane. I left academia for several years and worked a few low-wage community service jobs, but for the past 3 years or so, I've been an administrator in my former department doing direct student services.

I love my job. While I don't do formal research anymore, I read whatever happens to strike my fancy just for fun; I'm still steeped in the culture of the department, many of the faculty already knew me from when I was a student, and I don't feel in any way disengaged from my former field. Three of my co-workers on the admin staff are former students, as well. Also, I get to interact with students a lot, which I really enjoy.

They might not always be easy to find, but there are definitely non-academic and near-academic jobs out there for ex-historians.

In terms of non-academic directions, there are jobs for historians in government and not just within the obvious departments like Canadian Heritage. I remember a historian from Indian and Northern Affairs (or whatever they're called now) coming to talk to us about treaty history when I worked at the Museum of Civilization during a professional development session. These aren't common positions, but they are out there. Usually with government, you have to start low and work your way up, but there's a specific post-secondary recruitment strategy and policy leaders strategy to recruit people with higher education. In the former category, you'd still end up in an entry level position, but with a Master's, you'd start at a higher salary level.

There's also museums and other public history initiatives if you have any sort of teaching instinct. These usually start working with the public and work up to senior positions.

As a note, I do not have a degree in history, but I have worked in areas tangentially related for a number of years now and am sharing what I've learned from that (and specific to Canada).

You're probably young, intelligent and have a great understanding of society. Moreso, you can analyze and write in a intelligent fashion. Use that. 3 years ago, i'd swear about getting a PhD. Nowadays, i'd hesitate even if i had guaranteed funding and publication. I go along with a second MA in Archives history (first one being Sociology), knowing it will land me a job and a profession.

As many before me said, you can do another MA in library science or in information management. It has a professional/applied aspect that you can't find in most history/humanities/social sciences MAs.

Also, Public management is a nice choice, both for a MA or a PhD you can squeeze a research topic related to a field you know and eventually do something about it in the public service. You'd be a researcher in an applied field, or take a internship and score a big job.

I would try out labor unions or even get involved in politics since you know some political issues. Get a NDP or PLC card, get to know some people, get involved a bit. More than a few guys i know back in Ottawa and Quebec city that are in the political staff have history/Philo/Political science MAs or PhDs. Being political staff is a huge career/life starter, and it pays well, though it's very demanding. For labor unions it's more or less the same idea, less recognized but with job security, great pay and a career as possibilities.

History seems to be the passion of my life and numerous people have always suggested I go into the field. I refused for various reasons but instead I'm setting myself up in a field where my knowledge of history is extemely useful and gratifying to use

International relations, international business, and diplomacy are great fields IMO for the historian at heart. For example: as a non-Portuguese speaker, I lived in Mozambique for 3 months. I used my knowledge of Latin to learn Portuguese quickly, referred to historical experiences on how to get along with people from very different cultures, and studied the history of Mozambique and Portugal which helped me navigate the complex and sometimes even dangerous political environment there. I fared extremely well compared to other foreigners, and I credit it mostly to my love for history.

Now I do this sort of thing often enough and its extremely rewarding. Nations and big businesses badly need those who are good at that kind of stuff.