Skip to content
Log in
Research career paths

Your Guide to History Internships

Explore our comprehensive guide to the best history internships for college students.

Internships for history majors

As a major with so many career path options, choosing to study history gives you many types of internships to consider. There will always be an opening for a great history internship, as the field is always looking for capable history focused college students to help and hire.

In your history internships you’ll gain skills in writing, teamwork, organization, accountability, and problem-solving among many others. Internship opportunities for history students can foster great exploration of the field, since there are so many paths in history to consider and understand.

How do I get a history internship?

Getting an internship in history is very exciting considering the sheer amount of opportunities in different histories. History internships during summer 2021 will provide you with many valuable experiences, giving a real taste of what it’ll be like to work in history down the line. You’ll connect with potential mentors, learn history trade secrets, and build relationships with coworkers with a range of expertise. It’s also a plus if it’s a paid history internship!

Informative or prestigious history internship programs strengthen resumes, provide valuable avenues to letters of recommendation, and can even turn into full-time jobs. If you consider all of these perks of a history internship and add the benefit of exploring different facets of one field, then start your history internship search now!

Tips for your resume and profiles

Before you get started on sending out applications, make sure that you have your resume up to date and have fully filled out all your Handshake profile details. With a complete profile, an impressive history internship is more attainable than ever. Recruiters are much more likely to message a student with a complete profile that says you want to work in history than an unfinished one.

Tips for your history major internship interview

When you do land your first interview, be it a virtual interview or in person, make sure to come prepared and dressed to impress. Review your resume and cover letter to make sure you have specific examples of your experience to share, from clubs or coursework. You can even schedule a mock interview with your university’s career center or, if you’re tight on time, ask a trusted friend to grill you on some common interview questions.

Tips for networking at your history internship

Once you’ve landed an internship in history and settled into the flow of day-to-day life at the office, start chatting with your coworkers. Whether they’re industry professionals or fellow interns, it’s important to treat them with equal respect. You never know what insights they could lend, or who could be a valuable connection down the line, five or ten years from now. Don’t be afraid to ask your new colleagues out for quick coffee chats, or request 15-minute informational interviews about their career trajectory.

Want more tips for getting the most out of your internship?

Looking for specific advice before your internship begins? Or are you hungry for further information even after your internship is over? A good way to delve even deeper into your career path growth is to attend a virtual event or two. Not only will you be learning more about your own career, but there will also be chances to network with employers, industry specialists, and other students sharing different perspectives.

Jobs you can get as a history major

Wondering where the “history internships near me” are? Internships in history can fall under any of the following roles we’ve listed here for you! Internships are meant to guide you towards your true desired career path and your summer 2021 history internship could kick it off in the right direction.

For internships, it doesn’t matter if you’re on the hunt for history internships in Boston, history channel internships, history internships in Dallas, public history internships in Iowa, or art history internships in Chicago. The following job roles and suggestions on where to apply for history internships can guide you in the right direction for whatever you’re looking for.

Archivist

Archivists and curators oversee collections of historical pieces–be it art or other items.

Companies you can apply to: College Possible, LAC Group, Newfields

Average pay: $49,850

Librarian

Librarians assist with searching for information and also conduct their own research.

Companies you can apply to: College Possible, Reading Partners, LAC Group

Average pay: $59,050

Paralegal

Paralegals and legal assistants assist lawyers by preparing legal documents, investigating facts in a case, and researching past cases. This role involves research and comprehensive legal knowledge.

Companies you can apply to: International Rescue Committee, New Western Acquisitions, Zayo

Average pay: $41,600

Historian

Historians use their research, analysis, and previous knowledge to understand the past.

Companies you can apply to: Minerva Schools at KGI, The Vera Institute of Justice

Average pay: $63,680

High School Teacher

High school teachers are responsible for educating students from ninth through twelfth grade, often in more than one subject area, such as English, mathematics, biology, and history.

Companies you can apply to: Teach for America, EF Education First, BASIS Charter Schools

Average pay: $40,000

Editor

Editors revise and prepare materials to be published in print and digital media. They often work at newspapers, magazine publications, book publishing houses, and media networks.

Companies you can apply to: Quibbl, Hearst Magazines, Paravane Ventures

Average pay: $33,280

Tips and tricks for your history internship

Want tips for getting and acing your history internship? Look no further.

How do you get a history internship in college?

When searching for history internships, it’s key to use the location filters provided on Handshake. You’ll be able to pinpoint history internships exactly where you want to intern just by selecting the city you want in the search bar. Easy history internships in your preferred city are just a search away.

You can even research possible job roles that you might want to explore during your history internship. Handshake also makes it easy to learn about roles in history simply by using the job role search bar.

And if you want to take your research one step further, you can even research top employers in the history field on Handshake. Just by using the Handshake employer search feature you can discover companies that are hiring in your specific field by filtering by “Industry.”

Where can I intern for history?

Some companies that would be great for history majors looking for internships: Teach for America, College Possible, or Zayo.

history internships for college students can be found all over! Even companies that don’t seem to have a main focus in history are looking for bright interns to help them develop a voice.

Are history internships paid?

Yes, you can find paid history internships on Handshake by using the search filters!

The average annual pay for full time history jobs range from $33,280 to $63,680.

How much does a history intern make?

The average annual pay for full time jobs in history range from $33,280 to $63,680.

Are internships necessary for history majors?

While it's not required, internships are great opportunities for growth and experience. From history internships for undergraduates to great seasonal history internships, you’ll be able to build both hard and soft skills and even network.

What is a history intern?

Along with networking and gaining mentorship, history interns will spend time working on skills great for later in their career journeys. history interns will learn how to plan and execute concrete goals, communicate their visions effectively, project manage and collaborate with a team on a shared goal.

Where can I intern for history?

Some companies that would be great for history majors looking for internships: Teach for America, College Possible, or Zayo.

What can you learn from a history internship?

During your history internship, you’ll learn some great generic skills like time management, accountability, organization, and teamwork. Additionally, you’ll be immersed in the world of history which will help you develop your knowledge of research methods, how to manage projects effectively, and a deep understanding of your area of study.

What should history interns put on their resume?

When putting together your resume, make sure to have all your skills, courses, and accomplishments laid out for employers to view. Also having your preferred job role and location on your Handshake profile is a great way to signal your interest to potential recruiters.

For history interns, some great skills to list would be specific research skills, time management, ability to follow through and execute, and ability to contribute and collaborate in a team setting. It’s also key to mention organizations or projects that you led and can explain thoroughly.

Photo by Giammarco Boscaro on Unsplash

Find the right jobs for you. Get hired.