Researcher / Historian
History is all about continued research. It is the study of the past and writing about the findings of the past related to the human race. Different theories are formulated, and new things, facts, artifacts are discovered every other day, that has to be studied, and conclusions drawn. To be a researcher or historian, you should have an extremely strong grasp of the subject, must have at least a master’s degree, and a Ph.D. helps. Historians started being considered a profession only in the late 19th century. It is the most magnetic and fulfilling career option for those passionate about history.
Educationist
To teach at the school level, a bachelor’s degree in history and a B Ed is sufficient. For college-level education, you should have at least completed your master’s, most preferably also Ph.D. To apply for government colleges, you will have to appear for the NET.
Archaeologist
Archaeologists study the past through the recovery of artifacts, evidence, environment data, and material culture of past ages, and then analyzing the excavated treasures. It is thus the study of the human past through commodities of those times. it is more factual than theoretical. From the stone age to the recent past, all is covered in archaeology. To be an archaeologist you need a background in history, and can then join the Archaeological Survey of India, which is the primary organization concerned with such activities in India.
Curator
A curator is a keeper of a historical or cultural institution (museum, library, gallery, archive, etc), where he is responsible for the collection or acquisition, care, documentation, and research about historical objects. Such research is conducted in cooperation with historians and scholarly groups. Also responsible for the organization of seminars, exhibitions, and bringing out publications. Thus a viable career for history lovers as you can deal with the past quite personally and have a great responsibility. Also, you will not have to burn it out in the Sun nor be only engrossed in research.
Archivist
As an archivist, you are responsible for the assessment, collection, organizations, preservation and maintenance, and control of records of history. Archival material can be in the form of printed documents, pictures, photos, paintings, scripts, tablets, artifacts, etc, that are used over a period o time for the purpose of study, restudy, and maintaining of records and data. This is a long-term responsibility as such material may not be found again, some of it dating back several decades or centuries. Because of knowledge of history, such an individual is better as an archivist as he knows the importance and value of each piece of the archive.
Writer
As a writer of history, you can write for history textbooks for schools and colleges, be a columnist, write history-related books. If you are a historian, you can write books on your area of specialization, like Romila Thapar.
Civil Services
History is a major subject in civil service exams, one that is most selected by aspirants and essential. A background in history gives you an edge, you can score well.
