I'm 19, took a year of extra highschool classes to figure out my interests more and I'm set to go to school for Architecture this September. 15K a year for a guy like me is a lot of money on something I'm not sure about.
I've always been drawn to everything history, and I realize now why not take something I love and make a career from it! But then all my friends say "If you go into history you will work at McDonalds." But I'm certain this is not the case, there has to be some options for careers.
This year instead of going to University I wanted to take more Highschool courses (Parents are hesitant on taking another year off of post-secondary). What I want to do is take the proper courses to deepen my pool of credentials for getting into a certain course. I don't know exactly what I want to do, and I know I don't have the credentials to get into history related programs.
Is there anywhere I can go to that you may have gone to to figure out what career you wanted to make out of history? I'm really lost here and I don't know what to do. I was going to go to my guidance counselor from highschool, but she wouldn't be there because of the holiday.
Once again I am sorry if this is the incorrect place to post this question. If you could direct me to the correct place if this is inappropriate for this subreddit I would be very grateful.
Thank you
My question would be: why not both?
If you truly hate the idea of architecture, then by all means, choose history. As someone about to start a PhD in history I can say that the job market is pretty tough, especially for Scottish medievalists, although you might have a better shot if you're doing Atlantic history or something trendy. An academic career is hard and you have four years ahead of you to decide if you can really handle the researching, writing and teaching that goes into it.
Otherwise, history is a great lead in for lots of professional and MA programs related to archives, museums, public history, library sciences and other 'add-ons' that might help you to branch off and do something history-related if not specifically history. History teaches research, critical thinking, analytical skills, time-management, writing and organisation, as well as the ability to step into the minds of people who are not from your time, culture or social rank. These are all attractive qualities if you know how to spin them in other sectors.
So I'll ask again, why not both? I once met with a woman who began in history and then went to work with Parks Canada as a landscape historian. She consults on building and heritage projects to make sure that all improvements and upkeep stay true to the original design and historical value of the property. Is there a way for you to major in architecture with a minor in history? Or for you to take the architecture degree and then pursue an MA in history at a later date to make the transition to some type of heritage preservation or consultancy work?
Do you get good grades? If so, history could lead you to nearly anything in the business or law world. Unfortunately, you would need a M.S., law degree, or MBA. The reason I ask about grades is a lot of schools will pay your tuition even in graduate school. You don't necessarily need to get a "real" degree, as some people consider job feeding degrees, right away, if you're willing to work toward a master's.
That being said, I hear architecture isn't much better for job placement. But that was according to internet searches.