Undergraduate study in the Department of History at Michigan State University offers a tremendous opportunity for personal, intellectual, and professional growth. Our majors learn to think broadly and to develop skills in critical thinking and conducting original research, and they become highly adept at oral, written, and digital communication. They learn to appreciate diverse perspectives and grow as informed citizens, and they find the joy of making new discoveries and conquering great challenges. Knowledge and experience gained in history coursework enables our majors to excel in a wide variety of fields, such as education, law, government, international development, business, journalism, medicine, social work, and many others.
The history department recently surveyed undergraduate alumni about their experiences in the program, and we were gratified to receive these responses:
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My undergraduate degree in history made me the professional I am today. I learned how to do thorough research. Most importantly, I obtained critical thinking skills.
Jakki Malnar, B.A., 2008 -
I walked out of MSU and into a teacher career at age 22. I think compared to most of the young teachers I’ve witnessed over the last 32 years, I was exceptionally well-prepared to go on day one. Obviously, you don’t learn all the content you end up teaching in an undergrad program, but I didn’t have a lot of holes and had the skills and knew how to find the resources I needed. Because I largely had interesting and inspiring professors, history also became an even greater hobby, and I think some of the great stuff I’ve read and watched over the years for my own personal enjoyment and enrichment is stuff I wouldn’t have found had it not been for the ways these educators opened my eyes and mind. Both in terms of personal and professional development, I couldn’t have asked for much more from my MSU experience and even though it is decades in the rear-view mirror, I still draw on it daily. I even still have AND USE my old class notes.
Charles Sikkenga, B.A., 1992 -
The skills, knowledge, and relationships I built in my time within the Department of History prepared me to think critically about the world, engage as a global citizen, and be a changemaker in my community.
Mike Dunn, B.A., 2004 -
The history program at Michigan State University coached me to improve my close reading skills, made me a more analytical thinker, and improved my ability to construct strong, data-based argumentative narratives.
Ian Semivan, B.A., 2014 -
My time at MSU was one of the most memorable periods of my life. Being a part of the history department allowed me to both explore a lifelong interest and discover new interests.
Jonathan Look, B.A., 2006 -
Last year I taught as an adjunct in the history department at the U.S. Naval Academy. I was so excited to teach my first course, and I designed much of my course the same way that I had attended history courses at MSU. My goal was for students to appreciate and understand history in a newfound way. I felt like I had made a difference, and it is because I wanted to emulate the professors that I had at MSU. From the first moment I walked into the History Department, I knew my spark was ignited and it grew every year at MSU. It started me on a path to a masters, a Ph.D., a love for research and archives, and the desire to get others to love and appreciate history.
Micaela Procopio, B.A., 2017
As MSU History alumni attest, the department helps students develop as people and professionals, and study in the department has provided the basis for rewarding post-graduate careers. History majors elsewhere tell a similar story about what they took from their programs, as one can see from research being conducted by the American Historical Association (AHA). You can find on its website testimonials to the value of a history degree from people working in government, business, academic, military, and public service jobs. The AHA also has a tremendous resource in the Careers for History Majors booklet, which offers a wealth of “hard data, practical advice, and answers to common questions about the study of history and the value it affords to individuals, their workplaces, and their communities.”
Employers in many fields highlight the importance of the skills that historians develop. A recent editorial by a STEM faculty member stressed that even for those interested in chemistry, biology, and physics, the ability to draw from other disciplines produces better, more well-rounded scientists. Forbes lists a number of things that historians are particularly adept at, including communication, creativity, adaptability, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. The Chronicle of Higher Education recently published an article touting the “unique superpowers” that history graduates have in the private sector to “help companies deal with growth strategy, business management, intercultural communication, consumer behavior, sales, and human resources.” History is an intellectually valuable and professionally versatile degree.
The MSU History Department has long been a national leader in the field of digital history, and students today have many opportunities to learn to use digital tools. The department has a great physical space in Old Horticulture in the LEADR lab, which works with many classes to add a digital component and offers workshops throughout the year for students aiming to learn cutting-edge digital tools and methods.
One of the joys of being a historian is doing original research, and students in the department can pursue this not only in their course work but through many extracurricular opportunities. Many history students secure funding for their research through College of Social Science programs like the Henderson Family Award for the Study of Slavery and the Provost’s Undergraduate Research Initiative, and many present the results of their work at the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum.
Many students want to major in history because they have a passion for learning and communicating about the past. The MSU History Department has an amazing collection of teachers to help you do that. We care not only about your educational outcomes but also your professional outcomes, and we provide active mentorship throughout your undergraduate career to help you reach your goals. One of the best ways to plan for the future is to learn about the past, and the MSU History Department is a terrific community in which to do that.