I'm doing a 4yr combined degree -- my majors are sociology, history, and information systems. I've already been experiencing some doubt as to whether it's a good idea to do two arts major pretty much unrelated to my computer major, but too late to change now. However, I also want to do honours, and I've been thinking whether I should it in history or information systems (IS). Would it be a better career path to focus on IS?, or should I follow my passion and do history honours?
If it helps, I'm an Australian university student and am uncertain of my future career, but I'll probably work somewhere in IT. Ideally, I'd love to work in history but have no idea how to -- being able to get a job is a great concern for my family.
[ Answer this question ] Want to answer more questions in the Work & School category? Maybe give some free advice about: Colleges & Universities? FernGully answered Saturday February 11 2006, 6:24 pm: The thing about post-secondary is you have to actually enjoy what you are doing. What you're embarking on is really a tough path, even without an honours in one subject, that means that if you pick an honours in history, there is no reason why an employer might say "ohhh we wanted this person but since they have a larger historical knowledge base, we simply can't accept her." That won't happen. If you think that honours IS is going to really drastically open job fronts, and you ACTUALLY ENJOY IT (so key), then go for it.
I'm a history student (though my second major is political science), and I frequently get told I'm going to flip burgers one day. The history department tries to give us hope, as they should, they sent us these suggestions of what someone with a degree in history could do:
advertising executive, analyst, archivist, broadcaster, campaign worker, consultant, congressional aide, editor, foreign service officer, foundation staffer, information specialist, intelligence agent, journalist, legal assistant, lobbyist, personnel manager, public relations staffer, researcher, educator, researcher, communicator or editor, information manager, advocate, or even a businessperson.
So...
- Educators
Elementary Schools
Secondary Schools
Postsecondary Education
Historic Sites and Museums
- Historians as Researchers
Museums and Historical Organizations<> Cultural Resources Management and Historic Preservation
Think Tanks
- Historians As Communicators
Writers and Editors
Journalists
Documentary Editors
Producers of Multimedia Material
Historians As Information Managers
- Archivists
Records Managers:
Librarians
Information Managers
- Historians As Advocates
Lawyers and Paralegals
Litigation Support
Legislative Staff Work
Foundations
-Historians in Businesses and Associations
Historians in Corporations
Contract Historians
Historians and Nonprofit Associations
And the beauty is, with your other degrees, not only would you be more acceptable for certain jobs that other people won't, but you'll also probably get paid more because of your IT experience, which is really becoming an enormous asset. I wish you luck. [ FernGully's advice column | Ask FernGully A Question ]
pootietang answered Saturday February 11 2006, 11:39 am: you should stick with IS. information systems are probably more important than history and sociology, unless you plan on becoming a historian or something..but, that doesnt mean you cant take some additional history classes as electives or during the summer. college is a great time to take classes that appeal to you as well as the necessary classes to earn your degree. hope i helped..(im not in college yet..lol) [ pootietang's advice column | Ask pootietang A Question ]
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