Hey everyone! I’m a history undergraduate student at Sacramento State University. My eventual goal is to enter a masters program in public history at sac state, and eventually a PhD program in public history at UC Santa Barbara. Is there any advice you all could give me as to what I could be doing NOW(in undergrad) to prepare myself for the future? Also, what kind of work are public historians doing on a day to day basis? Any other advice is more than welcome. Thank you.
Howdy there.
I would definitely recommend checking out the website for the National Council for Public History. They have a couple articles that describe the role of Public Historians in the job market. I know they helped a lot for me going into Grad School. The day to day would depend on what kind of job you'd end up in. Public History is a wide field dealing with anything that uses Applied History that is not academia. You can use it to go into Museum's, working for a NGO, working for a charity or a small government, working with Public Policy, and even library work. It all depends on your focus, and the school you choose. For example my "dream job" would be working with Public Policy, not academia.
Now for Graduate School and how to prepare. First I would have a wider plan for the future. You'll want to apply to more than one school because even if you're the best candidate, sometimes the school/program may not accept students in your chosen specialty that year (this happened for one of my first choice schools where the professor that would be my adviser was on sabbatical for a year+). You don't want to be stuck with one school in case it falls through. Second, if you can get a job doing public history now that will only help your application. Often times graduate application committees are looking for something that stands out, that isn't just great grades. Show that Public History is your passion. If not a job, then volunteer if you have time at a local history society or museum. Third, I would keep a mental note for a paper you are writing or will write that shows your skill. Graduate application's will most likely require a writing sample; so mentally bookmark one. After you get your grade, ask the professor or your adviser to go over it with you. Speaking of talking to professors, ask for references from any professor you have a good rapport with; especially ones where you've worked over time with, in multiple classes. They're going to be the ones that'll write great recommendation letters.
If you have any other questions or more specific questions feel free to send me a private message.