Historians
Collections Specialist, Historian, Historical Interpreter, Researcher
What they do:
Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.
On the job, you would:
- Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
- Organize data, and analyze and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.
- Prepare publications and exhibits, or review those prepared by others, to ensure their historical accuracy.
Knowledge
Arts and Humanities
- history and archeology
- English language
Math and Science
- sociology and anthropology
- geography
Business
- administrative services
Education and Training
- teaching and course design
Skills
Basic Skills
- reading work related information
- thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
Problem Solving
- noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Abilities
Verbal
- read and understand what is written
- communicate by writing
Ideas and Logic
- make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
- use rules to solve problems
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Achievement Orientation
- Tolerance for Ambiguity
Technology
You might use software like this on the job:
Data base user interface and query software
- Microsoft Access
- Structured query language SQL
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Information retrieval or search software
- Archival databases
- Smithsonian Institution digital archives
Education
Education: (rated 5 of 5)
master's degree
usually needed
usually needed
Job Outlook
Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about Historians.