One of the best ways to acquire the skills needed to be a historian is to take an online course. We've identified some online courses from Udemy and Coursera that will help you advance in your career. Since historians benefit from having skills like cultural resources, historical research, and historic resources, we found courses that will help you improve these skills.
Historian Skills For Your Resume And Career
Research Summary. Below we've compiled a list of the most important skills for a historian. We ranked the top skills based on the percentage of historian resumes they appeared on. For example, 15.9% of historian resumes contained cultural resources as a skill. Let's find out what skills a historian actually needs in order to be successful in the workplace.
- The most common hard skill for a historian is cultural resources. 15.9% historians have this skill on their resume.
- The second most common hard skill for a historian is historical research appearing on 11.6% of resumes. The third most common is historic resources on 11.6% of resumes.
- Three common soft skills for a historian are foreign language skills, research skills and communication skills.
Cultural resources are historic or prehistoric indicators or remains of previous human activities, including artefacts, landscapes, sites, structures, and objects of importance to a culture or community. This value can be regarding its scientific, archaeological, architectural, spiritual traditional, religious, historic, and human development.
Below we've compiled a list of the most important skills for a historian. We ranked the top skills based on the percentage of historian resumes they appeared on. For example, 15.9% of historian resumes contained cultural resources as a skill. Let's find out what skills a historian actually needs in order to be successful in the workplace.
15 Essential Historian Skills For Your Resume And Career
1. Cultural Resources
Here's how cultural resources is used on historian resumes:
- Conducted mitigation procedures between residents of proposed cultural resources and municipal, state, and federal agencies.
- Supported cultural resources staff and engineering districts in identifying cultural resources in proposed project locations.
- Reviewed reports written for cultural resources in particular those related to historic buildings and structures.
- Served as an Architectural Historian in the Cultural Resources department.
- Performed research and field identification of cultural resources * Assessed the potential effects of proposed transportation projects on eligible historic resources.
2. Historical Research
Here's how historical research is used on historian resumes:
- Performed and managed historical research, writing, and collection and preservation of historical materials.
- Compiled digital annual military histories and other digital media - provided historical research/reference service.
- Conducted extensive historical research in preparation for interpretive programs.
- Provided historical research and reference services.
- Performed historical research and writing.
3. Historic Resources
Here's how historic resources is used on historian resumes:
- Supported Cincinnati waterfront development project by conducting research on historic resources and development of waterfront.
- Researched and evaluated historic resources within highway project areas.
- Document historic resources and produce compliance and mitigation documents.
- Developed an MS Access database for managing historic resources and generating tables and forms for large reports and projects.
- Led a multi-disciplinary team in the identification and evaluation of historic resources in support of securing funding for state and federal.
And if you’re looking for a job, here are the five top employers hiring now:
4. Oral History Interviews
Here's how oral history interviews is used on historian resumes:
- Contributed to the historical record by conducting and publishing oral history interviews with distinguished members and aerospace pioneers.
- Prepare manuscripts and articles based on oral history interviews and research material for publications.
- Conducted and transcribed approximately 150 oral history interviews of key personnel throughout the AOR
- Engaged in extensive archival research and conducted numerous oral history interviews.
- Conduct oral history interviews of members for posterity.
5. Historic Properties
Here's how historic properties is used on historian resumes:
- Identified and evaluated historic properties and made determinations of effect on historic properties.
- Created evaluation criteria for an NPS-wide initiative to improve documentation of historic properties.
- Completed research at local repositories to supplement building history write ups and aid in the analysis of historic properties.
- Applied in-depth knowledge to ensure historic properties assessment and management in accordance with criteria and applicable standards.
6. Archival Research
Here's how archival research is used on historian resumes:
- Conducted archival research and research interviews.
- Research and Writing: I conducted deed research, archival research, and personal interviews, and wrote multiple historical reports.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Historian Resume templates
Zippia allows you to choose from different easy-to-use Historian templates, and provides you with expert advice. Using the templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your Historian resume is top notch. Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry.
7. Historic Places
Here's how historic places is used on historian resumes:
- Analyzed said resources for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Analyzed survey results in order to determine potential eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Evaluate pre-1960s structures for eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C (architectural).
- Researched, wrote and edited nominations to the National Register of Historic Places.
8. Alumni Events
Here's how alumni events is used on historian resumes:
- Organized and executed alumni events throughout the year to gain awareness from past members of the chapter.
- Maintained contact with alumni and helped plan alumni events with the active chapter.
- Worked independently to develop a database of alumni contact information Directed the preparation, set up and follow up for alumni events
- Maintain contact with alumni over over 700 members* Develop and execute alumni events* Maintain and educate new members or organizations tradiitons
- Engaged Alumni for Events * Event Coordinator for Alumni Events * Manage proper records of the fraternity's activities
9. Facebook
Here's how facebook is used on historian resumes:
- Recorded cultural events such as karaoke night and Harvest Moon Festival through pictures and video that was shared on Facebook group
- Documented official choir activities; maintained HRCM social network presence, including Twitter / Facebook
- Created Facebook page in order to share media with members and interact with fans.
- Updated Facebook page for the XKD Dragons, the organization I was historian of.
- Inform and update events of the Art League via Social Networking (Facebook).
Historian Jobs
10. Adobe Photoshop
Here's how adobe photoshop is used on historian resumes:
- Document events, create weekly newsletter on Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Publisher, and update social networks with photos.
- Created property maps with Adobe Photoshop and completed data entry.
- Used Adobe Photoshop to create posters for concerts.
- Posted event/meeting fliers on campus Designed the fliers with Adobe Photoshop Assisted the other officers with set up for events/meetings
- Designed and created banners for various campus wide events such as Dance Marathon and Relay for Life using Adobe Photoshop.
11. Historic Sites
Here's how historic sites is used on historian resumes:
- Archived and preserved materials and artifacts in museums, visitor centers, and historic sites.
- Managed daily operations of Park historic sites and Visitors Centers.
- Researched, wrote, and presented three 30-minute guided walking tours at five of the Park s battlefields and historic sites.
12. Instagram
Here's how instagram is used on historian resumes:
- Created Twitter page, keep Instagram page updated, created sorority website, take photos at social events.
- Promoted the organization's meetings, events, and news through Twitter and Instagram.
- Keep the page of the organization in the social network Instagram updated.
- Managed club's social media including establishing their Instagram and Twitter.
- Created the chapter's Instagram account which now has 200+ followers.
13. PowerPoint
Here's how powerpoint is used on historian resumes:
- Completed PowerPoint documents focused on historic preservation topics.
- Updated chapter through weekly PowerPoint presentations to over 180 members by tracking activities and service project collaboration.
- Prepared and delivered PowerPoint presentations to inform clients of project progress and results.
- Fashioned a memory scrapbook for the hall time capsule using Microsoft PowerPoint.
- Skilled in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel.
14. Biographies
Here's how biographies is used on historian resumes:
- Created profiles and biographies of the life and locations of soldiers.
- Create annual report and biographies for SIFE Regional Competition
- Crafted historical studies, some classified, related to command missions, particularly nuclear and space Crafted historical command key leader biographies
- Collect detailed information on individuals for use in biographies.
15. Executive Board
Here's how executive board is used on historian resumes:
- Delegated responsibilities to Executive Board and chair member positions.
- Attended biweekly student government and executive board meetings.
- Served on executive board for my school's chapter of Habitat for Humanity, and as club historian.
- Served on an executive board handling internal affairs of the chapter and appointment of new chapter positions.
- Presided over all executive board meetings, chapter meetings, ceremonies and functions of the chapter.
What skills help Historians find jobs?
Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want. Get Started
The eight most common skills based on Historian resumes in 2023.
- Cultural Resources, 15.9%
- Historical Research, 11.6%
- Historic Resources, 11.6%
- Oral History Interviews, 9.1%
- Historic Properties, 6.7%
- Archival Research, 6.4%
- Historic Places, 5.9%
- Other Skills, 32.8%
skills are in demand
Jobs With Trending Skills
Historian Jobs You Might Like
- High Paying Historian Jobs - $125K and Up
- Work From Home Historian Jobs
- Entry Level Historian Jobs
- Part Time Historian Jobs
- Actively Hiring
- No Degree Historian Jobs
List Of Skills To Add To Your Historian Resume
According to recent trends, the most relevant historian Resume Keywords for your resume are:
- Cultural Resources
- Historical Research
- Historic Resources
- Oral History Interviews
- Historic Properties
- Archival Research
- Historic Places
- Alumni Events
- Adobe Photoshop
- Historic Sites
- PowerPoint
- Biographies
- Executive Board
- Historical Data
- Historic Structures
- Social Events
- HMI
- Chapter Events
- Historic Buildings
- Event Planning
- Meeting Minutes
- Architectural Surveys
- Historical Events
- Student Government
- Clips
- Scholarship
- Philanthropic Events
- Student Body
- Documentaries
- Community Events
- Kappa
- Club Events
Real Examples Of Historian Resumes That Use These Skills
Build a professional historian resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 5+ resume templates to create your historian resume.
 |
Skills
 Employment History Historian 2020 - Present Pi Kappa PhiBloomington, IN
Historian 2019 - 2020 Charles E Jordan High SchoolChapel Hill, NC
Animal Shelter Clerk (Part-Time) 2016 - 2018 Guilford County SchoolsGreensboro, NC
 Education Master's Degree History 2018 - 2019 University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC Bachelor's Degree History 2015 - 2018 University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC |
 |
 |
Lisa Fox Historian Skills Student GroupsPhotoshopCollection DevelopmentHistorical ResearchPress ReleasesOn-Campus EventsCultural ResourcesGreek LifeCommunity InvolvementMarket Research Employment History Historian 2020 - Present Salesforce Berkeley, CA
Library Historian 2011 - 2020 Salesforce Berkeley, CA
Campus Representative 2000 - 2010 Salesforce Berkeley, CA
Education Master's Degree Political Science 2010 - 2011 University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA Bachelor's Degree Political Science 1997 - 2000 University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA |
 |
 |
Lisa Fox Historian Experience Historian2020 - Present Salesforce•Berkeley, CA
Library Historian2011 - 2020 Salesforce•Berkeley, CA
Campus Representative2000 - 2010 Salesforce•Berkeley, CA
Skills Student GroupsPhotoshopCollection DevelopmentHistorical ResearchPress ReleasesOn-Campus EventsCultural ResourcesGreek LifeCommunity InvolvementMarket Research Education Master's Degree Political Science2010 - 2011 University of California, Berkeley•Berkeley, CA Bachelor's Degree Political Science1997 - 2000 University of California, Berkeley•Berkeley, CA |
 |
Create My Resume
Build a professional resume in minutes using this template.
Most Important Historian Skills According To Experts
What Type Of Skills Will Young Historians Need?
David Bennett
Assistant Professor, University of North Florida
Historians are uniquely poised for finding employment in our current environment because our field applications are quite broad. The study of history provides a solid foundation of knowledge and skills applicable within many areas. Historians' research skills can help them find positions within the legal, medical, and education fields. I've even seen graduates apply their knowledge of rhetoric to careers in tourism and sales. A recent survey of history graduates from the University of North Florida, where I teach, showed our alumni employed as "museum professionals, college professors, school teachers, park rangers, consultants, business professionals, and nonprofit professionals, among other things." This kind of flexibility is particularly useful during an era like our own when the nature of American employment is shifting foundationally.
What Skills Stand Out On Historian Resumes?
M
Meredith Clausen
Professor, University of Washington
Knowledge of architectural history (at least a general introduction to global archer and at least one if not more upper-division courses); language skills (at least one if not more foreign languages)
What Historian Skills Would You Recommend For Someone Trying To Advance Their Career?
Paul Gootenberg
Chair of History SUNY Distinguished Professor of History & Sociology, Stony Brook University
Digital and website skills--if one did not pick them up in college.
What Soft Skills Should All Historians Possess?
M
Meredith Clausen
Professor, University of Washington
Personality traits such as cordiality (ability to get along with others) and tenaciousness (got to be able to stick to a problem even when the going gets tough)
What Hard/technical Skills Are Most Important For Historians?
M
Meredith Clausen
Professor, University of Washington
Digital savvy, to be sure; photography; beyond that, those skills cited in #1.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about Historian
Ready To Start Your Historian Resume?
Choose Your Current Work Experience To Start Creating Your Resume
Entry Level
Junior Level
Mid Level
Senior Level
Management
Executive
Online Courses For Historians
Advertising Disclosure
1. Plagues, Witches, and War: The Worlds of Historical Fiction
A unique and exciting introduction to the genre and craft of historical fiction, for curious students, aspiring authors--anyone with a passion for the past. Read classics of the genre, encounter bestselling writers of historical fiction, and discover your own historical archive while interacting with a global community of interested readers...
See More on Coursera2. Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies
This course is a short taster on the topic of the use of Images, Film, and their use in historical interpretation in the 20th century. It is primarily provided for those who have a general interest in history that draws on photojournalism as primary evidence, and films based on historical events. Once you have completed this course we hope you will be equipped to: Appreciate the significance of photographs as historical evidence in the twentieth century. Understand the limitations of the...
See More on Coursera3. Basic Governance for Board Members
Know your rights, duties & stay out of trouble...
See More on Udemy4. Leading Effective Meetings - You Can Lead Effective Meetings
Learn How to Plan Effective Meetings, Run Effective Meetings and Generate Results After Your Meetings...
See More on Udemy5. Minute Taking at Meetings
Minute Taking: making the taking of notes/minutes at formal and informal meetings easier...
See More on Udemy6. Better Virtual Meetings: How to Lead Effective Meetings
Learn the basics of facilitation and minute taking at meetings to save time, improve communication, and get things done...
See More on Udemy7. Business English for Meetings
Useful English Phrases for Communicating with Confidence in Business Meetings...
See More on Udemy8. Leading Effective Meetings
Learn how to effectively plan, run, & manage meetings of any kind. Increase your team's productivity & participation...
See More on Udemy9. Adobe Photoshop Projects Guide 2022
Everything you need to know about to Build Projects Using Adobe Photoshop 2022...
See More on Udemy10. Leading Effective Meetings: Beginner's Guide
Learn how to successfully lead meetings that boost motivation and productivity while using time effectively...
See More on Udemy11. Start Improving Customer Service
Creating a Customer Service advantage in Your department or business through communication and Customer Management...
See More on Udemy12. US / United States History - Prehistory to Reconstruction
Uncover the political and social roots of the U.S. with this comprehensive guide to Early American History...
See More on Udemy13. How to Run truly Productive Meetings and add value
Learn to Run Great Meetings, Raise Your Profile and Boost Productivity...
See More on Udemy15. The Customer: Build a Customer Service Strategy (BITE SIZE)
For you and your team to be successful in providing great customer service, start by putting your customer first...
See More on Udemy16. Data Governance - The Complete Course for Beginners
Make yourself standout in meetings about Data Governance. Learn everything that the experts know about Data Governance...
See More on Udemy18. [2022] Facebook Ads: Facebook / Instagram Advertising Course
This course is used by Tesla, Walmart, and other leading organizations. Be able to get results from your Facebook Ads!...
See More on Udemy19. Tokyo Hillside, Tokyo Riverside: Exploring the Historical City
In recent years, Tokyo became a global tourist destination as interest in the city increased in the lead-up to the planned 2020 Olympics. While the Olympic venues are concentrated in the city’s southwest and along the waterfront, Tokyo’s historical center and the roots of its urban culture are located in the northeast of the city, in an area stretching from Nihonbashi north through Kanda and Akihabara toward Ueno and Yanaka, and eastward to Asakusa. This area remains home to a wide range of...
See More on edX20. Tangible Things: Discovering History Through Artworks, Artifacts, Scientific Specimens, and the Stuff Around You
Have you ever wondered about how museum, library, and other kinds of historical or scientific collections all come together? Or how and why curators, historians, archivists, and preservationists do what they do? In Tangible Things , you will discover how material objects have shaped academic disciplines and reinforced or challenged boundaries between people. This course will draw on some of the most fascinating items housed at Harvard University, highlighting several to give you a sense of the...
See More on edX
Historian Skills FAQs
What Hard/technical Skills Are Most Important For Historians?
Reading and effective communication are the most important skills of the historian, and many historians must learn to read, write, and/or speak in more than one language. Historians work with primary sources and have to become skilled in finding and interpreting these documents and materials. One's content knowledge and expertise will lend themselves to particular jobs and experiences over others. For example, academic jobs typically provide one or more areas of specialization expected of applicants. Digital skills have become increasingly important to the field, and the ability to code, develop multimedia and websites and other technology-based skills may expand one's opportunities.
What Skills Stand Out On Historian Resumes?
While popular perceptions of historians may involve ideas of historians sitting in dusty archives, leafing through pages in ancient manuscripts, or professing from a lectern, historians work in a diverse array of professional contexts from education and training to government and corporations. Advanced study in the discipline of history develops skills valuable in many professions. According to the American Historical Association's Disciplinary Core, studying the past fosters, among other skills, the ability to gather, filter, contextualize, synthesize, and interpret complex and conflicting material, appreciate ambiguity, and communicate, make arguments, and tell stories. Job candidates should customize their resumes/curricula vitae and seek out opportunities, credentials, and training based on their specific goals and interests. Some jobs may involve a preference for specific content areas, while others may prefer experience working with particular groups or populations. A historian position at the Department of Defense may privilege knowledge of military history or military experience, while a teaching position in a small academic department may put a value on having the ability to teach a breadth of courses or experience with underprepared students.
What Skills Will Help Historians Earn The Most?
There really is not a way to align a specific set of skills with earning potential in this field. Earnings are largely going to be determined by the kind of employer, experience, and credentials. A historian working in a corporate environment or a law firm is likely going to earn more than an instructor at a small college or high school, for example.
What Soft Skills Should All Historians Possess?
Again, context matters. The experiences of the historian at a Fortune 500 corporation and one working as a curator at a rural museum or historic site are going to be vastly different. Historians who might engage in research work at a government agency or as a scholar at an institution of higher learning need to be prepared to organize and manage their work and time with limited direct oversight. Historical research can be a lonely business, so one must be comfortable and prepared to spend extended time alone with research materials and inside her or his own brain. On the other hand, teaching and training, public history, and other public- or community-facing work require interpersonal skills, empathy, and the ability to engage with different kinds of people.
Have more questions? See all answers to common life, physical, and social science questions.