Who You Are: Historian

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Education

To be hired as a historian, applicants must have a four-year degree in history, archeology, or anthropology. You will find a job more easily if you intern or volunteer after graduating. Advanced degrees will provide more opportunity for advancement.

You would be a great historian if you:
  • have a great attention to detail
  • love history and research of native peoples connected with a park, other early settlers, and founders of a park
  • have strong writing skills (because you may prepare reports and make recommendations to management teams)
  • enjoy keeping careful records
What You Do

Historians research a park’s vast history which might include ancient Ice-Age hunters to modern people from recent decades. The historian evaluates all important historic resources in parks, which is the cornerstone for the park's interpretive, cultural resource, and general management planning. They advise and guide park managers on how to preserve cultural resources. They create records and create a baseline of historical information. Historians work with archeologists to preserve and protect some of America's most valuable cultural resources.