Humanities: Careers

25 Great Jobs for Humanities Majors

Teacher:  Given the focus on writing and speaking in a humanities major, graduates are well-prepared to become teachers. However, aspiring elementary, middle school or high school teachers usually need to be licensed, and licensure requirements include completion of a teacher-preparation program and a state exam, in addition to a bachelor's degree. Postsecondary teachers usually hold a doctoral degree, though some colleges hire teachers who only hold a master's degree. Not sure if teaching is for you? Watch a few lessons in Education 101: Foundations of Education to see if teaching is right for you.

Advertising Sales Agent:  While a high school diploma may be sufficient for some sales positions, many employers prefer job applicants with a college degree. Some humanities majors may be well-suited for advertising sales positions - this line of work requires excellent communication skills. Learn more about advertising and product promotion to see if a career in advertising is right for.

Technical Writer:  The subject matter may be dry, but you'll be able to continue honing your abilities as a writer. You'll also have to judge your audience and write for them accordingly. Check out English 105: Technical Writing to see if it's right for you and to earn 3 college credits towards a technical writing career.

Artist:  Are you an artist or craftsman? Use the communication skills you gained while getting your degree to market yourself and be your own boss. Set up your own website and go freelance as an artist for magazines and newspapers, or sell your art to individuals. Having a background in art history could help you in your career as an artist. Check out Art 101: Art of the Western World to start learning about art from ancient times to the twentieth century.

Counseling:  A humanities bachelor's degree is a perfect starting point for someone who wants to be a counselor. Most counseling positions require completion of a master's degree, and licensure is often necessary as well. See if counseling is right for you by checking out Counseling 101: Fundamentals of Counseling.

Event Organizer:  You know how to plan and organize, and you know how to make people happy. All you have to do is utilize those skills and set up events for different companies and their clients or employees.

Public Relations Manager:  Public relations is a growing career field and requires strong reading, writing and interpersonal skills. Combine this with your understanding of human nature and you are ready to help others create and maintain their public image.

Travel Agent:  Help individuals and groups plan their dream vacation. Be it a cruise or a 10-day trip to Europe, you will plan each facet of the trip and tailor the trip to your client's needs. If you're bilingual, you can specialize in tours in countries where people speak your second language.

Lawyer:  As a lawyer, you'll use your reasoning and people skills to advise clients and guide them through the legal system. Earning a bachelor's degree in humanities is one way to prepare for law school. In addition to a bachelor's degree, you'll need to earn a Juris Doctor (JD) and pass the bar exam to become a lawyer. Do you have what it takes to remember the ins and outs of the law? Test your skills with Business 103: Introductory Business Law and see if it's the right career for you.

Editor:  You've edited your own work and maybe other people's papers throughout college. Why not make a profession out of it? Look for a company that needs someone to edit technical work, or work from home editing magazine articles.

Museum Worker/Curator:  Turn your interest in art and anthropology into your dream job at a museum. Museums are always trying to hire recent grads. They need tour guides and people to run the help desk. With some experience and a master's degree in museum studies, you might work your way up to a curator position and manage the museum's collections and activities.

FBI Agent:  Working for the FBI sounds like something out of a crime drama, but the FBI needs people who know how to read and interact with others. Your knowledge of foreign cultures and languages can be an asset in this career. FBI Agents will require a 4-year degree and at least two years experience in law enforcement, the military or a law degree, prior to being considered for training at the FBI Academy. An undergraduate degree in the Humanities can be helpful in areas such as history or political science or possibly psychology and sociology, which are however more so in the social sciences than the humanities.

Interpreter and/or Translator:  If you learned a second language as a humanities student, you can become an interpreter or a translator. These professionals translate a foreign language into English or vice versa. Interpreters specialize in spoken or signed language, while translators work primarily with written materials.

Genealogist:  Is your passion learning about the history of people and their origins? Genealogy could be for you. If you enjoy research and solving puzzles, take a look at prospects in this career field.

Advertising Manager:  To sell something, you have to know how to speak to your audience. As a humanities major, you know how to get inside people's heads. Use your art skills and knowledge to create ads for products. Keep in mind, though, that most managers in this field have professional experience, so you probably won't land a managerial position right out of college.

Journalist:  If you think writing is in your future, look everywhere from blogs to local newspapers. You already have a lot of the skills required here, and you might also be good at interviewing subjects. Traditionally, journalists at the leading newspapers or TV news required a 4-year degree in Journalism or English. In today's changed news environment the requirements have become less stringent.

Foreign Correspondent:  If you have an interest in journalism, consider working your way up the ranks to be a foreign correspondent. Knowing about different cultures, languages and histories is a good background to have for this job. To become a foreign correspondent takes courage and talent, as well as true grit. There are very few professional correspondents still actively working in light of the limited number of independent news outlets and the ubiquity of social media.

Human Resources Specialist:  If you're good at dealing with people, human resources is right for you. Human resource specialists are integral to the interviewing and hiring process. You'll also work with employees on any problems they might have, manage benefits packages and arrange certain events and seminars. Learn what the core concepts of HR with Business 106: Human Resource Management

Linguist:  A linguist is an expert in language, be it your own or a foreign language. Linguists work for the government, educational institutions and other organizations.