have a high school diploma or GED;

complete a bachelor's degree;

complete at least a master's degree in history;

enjoy doing research;

have strong oral and written communication skills

Most work 40 hours per week. May work overtime to meet research or publication deadlines.

Usually work a set schedule.

Occasionally travel to conduct research or work with other historians

HISTORIANS will:

use many sources in their research. For example, they look at government and institutional records, newspapers and magazines, photographs, and films.

study and consider many different views of events to understand the past more completely

HISTORIANS frequently:

may supervise students or other workers who help them catalog the information. write up the results of their work in papers to be published in journals and books

their works are then reviewed by other historians, who in turn offer their own interpretations

advise individuals, institutions, or organizations about areas of historical interest

It is important that HISTORIANS be able to:

Must be very exact in performing their job. Leaving out information could cause people to misunderstand events

Abide by strict weekly deadlines