Historians work primarily in museums, universities, and other academic institutions devoted to researching and understanding historical events. There are many fields of interest and specializations. Still, the most common requirement is a bachelor’s degree in History or any of its subcategories (e.g., History of Art, Medieval History, or Political History).   
  
Anyone interested in a professional career in History can obtain experience by presenting and publishing research at academic institutions or working in related fields and positions (e.g., libraries, schools, or volunteering in museums).    
  
Historian, as a job title, is quite broad, meaning that it doesn’t always indicate an actual job title and could instead mean that it’s more of a hobby or side passion. There is no stopping anyone who wants to explore their hobbies while they work on their career. If History is your passion, there are many ways to start exploring the field through reading and contributing to research.   
  
However, if it’s academics that you’re looking to enter, degrees and time spent working and honing your research are vital to becoming a renowned figure in the field.  
 
What can help you become a Historian
Getting started in any career can be challenging, but we have some basics listed here to get you started. Keep in mind that the career trajectory for Historians is not strictly linear, meaning that it may not look the same for everyone. Still, we think the following is helpful to get you started. 

• Excellent understanding of historical studies and methodologies along with excellent research and project development skills 
• Researching historical data 
• Collecting and sorting data, artifacts, and other facts found in historical records 
• Analyzing and documenting historical data.  
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills 
• Communicating clearly, both verbally and in writing, to create both an unambiguous and communicative environment with coworkers 
• The ability to read and write technical reports and give presentations 
• Liaising with Archeologists, Anthropologists, and Sociologists to complement each other’s research.  
• Strong computer and numerical skills 
• Handling specialized software to collect, sort, and analyze data and artifacts 
• Analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills 
• Identifying issues and resolving problems promptly using critical thinking and sound judgment 
• Being precise and accurate in their analyses, since errors could invalidate their research 
• Determining if results and conclusions are based on sound evidence.