History Possibilities

One of the most commonly asked questions among undergraduate history majors is, "What can I do with a history major?" So if you're a liberal arts student at Bucknell who has yet to decide upon a career path, you're probably not alone. Career possibilities for history majors are wide and varied. Though many students of history choose to enter the world of education, that is not the only window of opportunity. As liberal arts students, history majors acquire skills that will give them what is needed to think critically, argue logically, and write analytically. It is these skills that allow history majors to choose from a very diverse career track.

Whether it is as an educator, researcher, writer, editor, manager, business person, or professional historian, if used to its full advantage, a major in history can get you a foot in the door in almost any profession. If you're still not convinced, call the Department (570-577-1123) and set up an appointment to talk to, or visit with, a professor.

You are welcome to borrow the Department's copy of the American Historical Association's Careers for Students of History, which is roughly summarized here.

Past History Majors:

- George Young '52 : Senior Vice President, National Football League

- Bruce Bonta '63 : Librarian, Penn State University

- Burnadette Budd '64 : Editor and Publisher

- Russell Dennis '64 : Assistant Professor of Education, Bucknell University

- Robert Seigel '66 : President, Gotham Organization

- Frank Skidmore '67 : Director, IBM Networking Systems

- Robert Brush '68 : Gen. Manager, Shoe Box Greetings

- Susan Crawford '69 : Chief judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for Armed Forces; Chair, Bucknell Board of Trustees

- Christopher Gallup '70 : Psychoanalyst

- Steven Lichty '85 : Director of Client Management, Investors Bank & Trust

- Philip Cox '88 : Director of Admissions, Greenhill School

- Benjamin Del Vento '90 : Ass't Prosecutor, Essex Co

- Timothy Sullivan '90 : Financial Consultant

- Richard Chew '90 : Resident & Post-Doctoral Fellow, Library Company of Philadelphia

- Andrea Falcione '92 : Attorney, Brody and Fabiani

- Matthew Ulterino '92 : Urban Planner, Earth Pledge Foundation

- Phillip Elliott '93 : Business Analyst

- Philip Laffy '94 : Senior Vice President, First Business Group

- Heather Focht '95 : Resident, Yale New Haven Hospital

- Robert Borham '96 : District Marketing Manager, Merrill Lynch & Co

- Jon Stephenson '97 : Research Associate, State Street Research and Management One

- Jessica Hess '99 : Director of Multicultural Student Services, Bucknell University

- Rebecca Morrissey '00 : Research Specialist, AMR Research

- Trevor Gibson '03 : Graduate school in Public Policy at the George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

- Lauren Jaeger '09: Research Intern for the Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C.