Occupation Details
Historians
Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.
Quick Navigation
Interests
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$30,190.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$39,800.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$66,400.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
480
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
560
+8 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
53
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
More School - Graduate or advanced degree
Experience Requirements
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Training Details
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
History and Archeology
Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Geography
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Social Orientation
Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Analog-to-digital converters
- Computer inkjet printers
- Computer laser printers
- Data input scanners
- Digital audio recorders
- Digital still cameras
- Laptop computers
- Microfilm readers
- Microphones
- Personal computers
Technology
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Archives Wiki
- Audio editing software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Database management systems
- Digital image collections
- Digital mapping software
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Email software
- Extensible markup language XML
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Google Books NGram Viewer
- Gutenberg-e
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- edit written material
- advise clients or customers
- provide expert testimony on research results
- advise governmental or industrial personnel
- evaluate documents or manuscripts
- evaluate significance of historical data
- test historical authenticity of various materials
- write research or project grant proposals
- plan scientific research or investigative studies
- make presentations
- compile information through interviews
- analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
- conduct field research or investigative studies
- analyze social or economic data
- analyze the past as recorded in sources
- reconstruct record of past human life
- use current social research
- use knowledge of economic trends
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- use interviewing procedures
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use scientific research methodology
- maintain awareness of social trends
- use public speaking techniques
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- use library or online Internet research techniques
- use knowledge of historical periods or events
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- use relational database software
- use spreadsheet software
- use word processing or desktop publishing software
- develop or maintain databases
- decide how to store valuable historical documents
- compile historical data by consulting sources
- compile bibliographies of specialized materials
- understand second language
- recognize interrelationships among individuals or social groups
- record historical information
- develop scientific or mathematical hypotheses, theories, or laws
- interpret charts or tables for social or economic research
- write scholarly or technical research papers
- translate written or spoken language
- collect scientific or technical data
- research property records
- collect social or personal information
- obtain information from individuals
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Conserve and preserve manuscripts, records, and other artifacts.
- Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
- Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
- Research and prepare manuscripts in support of public programming and the development of exhibits at historic sites, museums, libraries, and archives.
- Present historical accounts in terms of individuals or social, ethnic, political, economic, or geographic groupings.
- Organize data, and analyze and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.
- Conduct historical research, and publish or present findings and theories.
- Research the history of a particular country or region, or of a specific time period.
- Recommend actions related to historical art, such as which items to add to a collection or which items to display in an exhibit.
- Determine which topics to research, or pursue research topics specified by clients or employers.
- Speak to various groups, organizations, and clubs to promote the aims and activities of historical societies.
- Advise or consult with individuals and institutions regarding issues such as the historical authenticity of materials or the customs of a specific historical period.
- Edit historical society publications.
- Trace historical development in a particular field, such as social, cultural, political, or diplomatic history.
- Prepare publications and exhibits, or review those prepared by others, to ensure their historical accuracy.
- Organize information for publication and for other means of dissemination, such as via storage media or the Internet.
- Interview people to gather information about historical events and to record oral histories.
- Collect detailed information on individuals for use in biographies.
- Coordinate activities of workers engaged in cataloging and filing materials.
- Translate or request translation of reference materials.
- Teach and conduct research in colleges, universities, museums, and other research agencies and schools.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Social scientists, other
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More