Historians

Historians look for the clues that tell us about the past. More important, they help us make sense out of it all. They may start by telling us the facts of everything from the travels of Lewis and Clark to the first moon landing, but they don’t stop there.

Historians go on to answer questions about the importance of these events, their causes, and their effects. They make connections between the world as it was and the world as it is.

Historians collect and interpret material from the past.

Are You Ready To...?

• Make sense of large amounts of information
• Spend a lot of time hunting for information
• Give talks to other historians as well as the public
• Apply for grants to pay for your research
• Work on a project-by-project basis (and not as a full-time employee)

It Helps To Be...

A curious, creative, organized communicator and a devoted puzzle solver. You’ll also need to keep an open mind: a theory must fit the facts, not the other way around.

Make High School Count

• Take assigned research projects seriously. Learn how to get the most out of your library and to use the Internet wisely.
• Practice your writing skills -- historians need to explain their findings clearly.
• Volunteer at a museum or local historical society.
• Join the yearbook staff and create a history of your school.