History Alumni

One of the perennial questions asked of our students is "What can you do with a History degree?" This page seeks to answer that question by highlighting a number of our recent alumni. We have had alumni go on to top-rated graduate schools, become teachers, enter government and law enforcement, work with historical preservation, and enter traditional private sector careers!

Holly Baird

Q. Name/Where you’re from/When did you graduate?

Holly Ballard, Washington, AR, (Originally Carson City, Nevada) Graduated December 2012

Q. What are you doing now?

I work at Historic Washington State Park. I am the Parks Office Manager, but I also get to work with our museum staff and take part in living history demonstrations, tours, historical research, and school programs. I work in a little town that was established in 1823. Fun Fact: Home of the bowie knife.  I am surrounded by history and am always learning something new and I can share my knowledge/love of the town to passing visitors every day.

Q. What was the most memorable part of your major?

Most memorable part was the professors’ passion for the subjects they taught. I felt as if I was truly being educated. The professors’ wanted to share their knowledge with the students and help you anyway they could to understand. You never felt stupid for asking a question.

Q. What was the most challenging part?

The most challenging part was working full time and going to school full time. I didn’t give myself a lot of time for studying and was not able to dedicate as much time as I would have liked for my studies.

Q. What skills/knowledge did you gain that prepared you for future endeavors?

One Skill I learned was becoming a better researcher. In college research was a big part of the classes and in my job today I continue to research. The park I work at is full of history and there is always something to learn and in order to present what we learn to the public it must be fully researched so that we are passing on accurate information.

Q. What are the best reasons for students to study for a History degree?

You can recognize patterns in history and adjust your life from it or learn from it.

When studying history, you can always learn something new. The more you study history the more in depth you can form an understanding of it. From the history you learn in elementary to the history you study in college helps you grow to understand the effects history has on society. You will have a different take on the level of history you learned in elementary school vs the history you studied in college. Even though history is in the past it is also the future. Studying history keeps your mind open and it challenges you.

But the best reason to study history is that you as a person creates history every day.

Q. Anything else you want to add?

History is not boring, and it is not irrelevant.

You may have been told that getting a history degree is useless and that you won’t be able to find a job but that is not true. That are many opportunities out there for those who hold history degrees, you just must be willing to look and not get discouraged if doors don’t open right away.

I would have never thought that I would be an office manage seeing as I went to college and Studied history Vs Business administration. Sometimes you must step outside the box but eventually it will lead you to where you want to be. I get to work at a great historical park and still take part in living history and other historical aspects, Being an office manager has not held me back, In a way it has opened more doors to lead me back on my history job goal. 

My love for history has also fueled my love for travel. It is amazing to visit the places that you have learned about, From Visiting the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam, to exploring the Coliseum in Rome and seeing the Mayan pyramids in central America.   Being able to go and see the places I have learned has made history more alive for me.

Matthew Williams

Q. Name/Where you’re from/When did you graduate?

Matthew (originally from Maud, Texas) graduated with his B.S and M.S. in History (B.S. 2011; M.S. 2013) from TAMUT, and has recently completed a Masters degree in Israeli Studies from the University of Haifa in Israel.

Q. What are you doing now?

I just finished a Masters degree in Israel Studies at the University of Haifa in Israel and am now an adjunct instructor of History at Texas A&M University-Texarkana 

Q. What was the most memorable part of your major?

Getting to know a diversity of people with a diversity of opinions and outlooks. Learning just how much the past and the present are intertwined. I also learned just how much the past has influenced the present and to ignore the past will render one disadvantaged when dealing with the challenges of the future.   

Q. What was the most challenging part?

To be honest, I really enjoyed the program so much that I found the did not see anything as a challenge but as new opportunities to learn more. If there was something that I considered challenging was learning to take immense amounts of taking constructive criticism when working on my projects.  

Q. What skills/knowledge did you gain that prepared you for future endeavors?

The study of history allows one to better understand human nature. By studying history, I have been able to understand just how much the past effects the present and will affect the future. I want to go work in any job that will allow me to focus on the Middle East. 

Q. What are the best reasons for students to study for a History degree?

It will prepare you to better understand human nature and understand the circumstances that different parts of the world now face. I will help you to write and prepare reports in a clear and concise matter. 

Q. Anything else you want to add?

The program is amazing!!