Hi there. First, I'd like to clarify that as a History Professor, one typically engages primarily with historical research. Graduate students assist in this research, and you advise them on their own research. You typically teach classes in your specialization, so it's a way to spread your knowledge and get people interested in your subject and why it matters. The two modes (teaching and research) are very much intertwined. Some professors I know prioritize their research over teaching (unfortunately so, in some cases).

Otherwise, you can always work in the research department at a museum. However, if you are to major in history, you should know that you will probably be in school until your late 20s as you will need a graduate degree (usually a PhD).

Regarding astronomy and meteorology--I would recommend reaching out to some professors in that department and talking to them about what it would take for a career in those areas. If you want to focus in on astronomy, understand that you will have to take a lot of courses in physics. You'll probably end up working for a lab, unless you pursue a higher degree. Not sure about meteorology.

Computer information systems--this will entail learning a lot of computer programming and languages. Again, talk to your professors or a career counselor. What are your strengths? If they don't lie in math and data science, I'd recommend an alternative.

For history, the advantage of being a professor is that you get to interact with undergrad students and grad students - as u/Chillephant said, it's a fun way to introduce people to the subject in general (and maybe to your field of research, specifically).

The other advantage of working as a professor in a university is that you have access to the resources of a university library! I don't work in a university anymore, so I really miss that part...I mean, teaching is fun, but, like, I would really love to have access to the interlibrary loan system, haha. The library and all its resources is the starting point for all your research as a historian.

If you want to do research without being a professor, well, it's possible - I still do my own research and writing, it's just a bit more difficult and takes longer.

We get questions all the time here about the chances of becoming a university professor, and the chances are extremely low these days. There's no way you'll be forced into working as a professor. Forced into NOT working as a professor, more likely. So, good news I guess...even if you get a PhD in history, you'll be in good company with all the other people who aren't professors.

Personally, I work as a translator, which is a side effect of all the language study I had to do in school. So if you keep studying history, you'll have a lot of other useful skills, and hopefully you can get a job doing something else that leaves with you spare time to research history for fun.

In California, the State Parks hire Historians to work at historical sites. There are three levels of this position, State Historian I, II and III. You don’t need a Ph.D per se for this position, a mix of an education, research and teaching experience will suffice. These historians come from various backgrounds in preservation, architecture, education, public history and other academic and professional fields. I imagine other states or countries have people in similar roles. Check out the various public or private historical sites in your area and investigate who works there and what they do. I would suggest looking for part time jobs as a guide or interpreter at a such historical sites or museums while you’re in college. You’ll get to work alongside people doing research and see if that’s something you’d like to do in the future, while gaining experience and skills in the field. Even if you decide to go a different route, you’ll learn a lot.