Historian

What does a historian do?

For those wondering “what is a Historian?” the simple answer is that they study and write about the past. Historians are vital to our understanding of the past and its impact on modern society. They typically focus on specific regions, topics or periods in history; for example their research might be on Pompeii, the American Civil War, or events occurring in 1000 BC. They gather information by analysing sources like government records, artefacts, letters or diaries. As a Historian you might write research papers or books, become a university teacher, or work to preserve items of historical significance.

Is a career as a historian right for me?

A career in history might suit you if you’re interested in the past and enjoy investigation. Other skills and attributes beneficial for this role include:

• a highly inquisitive nature
• a creative mind
• a strong sense of social responsibility 
• proficient research skills 
• good written and verbal communication skills 
• an ability to interpret and hypothesise. 

How to become a historian

Every journey to study is individual and there are several paths to reaching your career as a historian. At UniSQ, we offer the following degrees in the area of history: