The Department and the University offer many opportunities to extend what you learn in the classroom here at OU. Presenting your research at a conference or studying abroad for a semester will certainly enrich your education. Capitalizing on these opportunities will also enhance your resume or graduate school application. A number of the University’s standing programs are listed below along with the University’s Guide to Scholarships. But be sure to check back periodically; that way, you’ll stay abreast of opportunities as they arise.
The History Department’s Service Learning Internship Program is one of only six service learning credit opportunities on the OU Norman campus. The program’s mission is to provide History majors with hands-on experience analyzing, organizing, preserving and/or presenting history for and to the public.
We place undergraduate interns at local historical organizations and agencies every spring, summer and fall semester. We are proud to coordinate with our site sponsors at organizations such as the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, the Oklahoma Historical Society, the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and on-campus opportunities with Bizzell Memorial Library.
All History interns make significant contributions to local public history. Previous students have:
Students who have a declared History major or minor, with 45 credit hours completed and a minimum 2.50 overall GPA.
Applications must include:
Applications must be signed by any member of the Internship Committee: Dr. Raphie Folsom, Internship Program Coordinator; Dr. Jane Wickersham, Director of Undergraduate Studies; or Jake Blackwell, Academic Advisor for the History Department. Applications should be submitted via email to Mr. Blackwell by the publicized deadline.
The Internship Committee will review applications and forward them on to our partners. Students will be contacted directly by the organizations where they have applied, to arrange an interview. After a successful interview, students will coordinate their internship schedules directly with their site supervisors.
Once students have been accepted into the program, Jake Blackwell will issue permission for them to enroll in HIST 4950. HIST 4950 is a variable credit course number, so students must select the number of credits they are earning, one to three.
Former director Dr. Keppel’s advice on how to craft a successful application
You are seeking valuable professional skills that will help you get a job beyond the college classroom in exchange for one to three academic credits, and the chance to take a leadership role in public history, which the National Council on Public History defines this way:
The many and diverse ways in which history is put to work in the world. In this sense, it is history that is applied to real-world issues.
It is very important that every part of your application conveys you as a mature, highly motivated, well- organized person who is ready to serve the public interest in a variety of ways, such as:
Successful applications will include a clear and compelling cover letter in which you introduce yourself and explain the value you bring to this opportunity.
“The cover letter should be no longer than two pages and should consist of three to five paragraphs…. Craft the letter to the job. Make it personal by addressing it to the committee chair. Be specific about what attracts you to the particular position at the particular institution. Play to your strengths and interests… The aim is to explain why you want the position and describe the… experiences that make you a compelling candidate.
Include basic information in a brief opening paragraph. Explain why you are writing (to apply for the position), how you learned of the position (your advisor, AHA job listing, etc.), what your educational status is… and a brief summary of why you are right for this position…
Finally, spare no effort to ensure the cover letter contains the finest prose you can muster. Poorly written letters generate little enthusiasm…. be sure to take the time to do your best.”
Sarah Sooner
1890 Land Run Road
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73xxx
(405) xxx-xxxx
November 3, 2018
Dear Ms. Stiefmiller:
I am writing you today because I am interested in applying for a spring internship at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. I recently became aware of this opportunity through my counselor at the University of Oklahoma. At this time, I am a senior history major. I have lived in Oklahoma my entire life and have loved learning about the past since I was a child.
Throughout my time at OU, I’ve become increasingly interested in the preservation and categorization of history. I want to study and help preserve documents for the future. The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum specifically is important to me because the murder of 168 Oklahoma residents has impacted me my entire life, both emotionally and civically. The events of April 19, 1995 began the changes in national security that were fully put into place after the attacks on September 11, 2001.
Though I have little experience relating to classification and preservation of work, I’m experienced at sorting through source material. I’m passionate about history, research, and preserving of the past for the future. I am hardworking and determined to be helpful. I am confident I will be able to learn the processes and skills necessary for this internship. Through work my in retail, I have learned many valuable skills such as problem solving and negotiation, as well as attention to detail. I’m capable of learning new skills yet strong in following directions and established procedures. With the skills that I have acquired through my course work and my passion for the field of history, I feel I would be an asset to your organization.
I hope that you will consider me for this opportunity to intern with the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Ms. Sarah Sooner
Generations of history majors have gone on to study law. Lawyers must be proficient in research, writing, and the ability to make an argument—all skills you will learn as a history major. The history department has a pre-law advisor, Dr. James S. Hart, Jr., who can help you structure your major to prepare for law school. The University of Oklahoma also has a pre-law advisor, Angela Gauthier; she has a Desire2Learn page that addresses the application process, advising information, and important links. You can email Ms. Gauthier at prelaw@ou.edu to be added to the D2L page course roster for more information.
Professors of history (yes, like us) research history and publish books, articles, and essays, in addition to teaching at the university or college level. Professors commonly travel to the areas of the world they study to perform research in archives; that research then becomes the foundation of their publications and also turns up in the courses they teach. This does mean that professors get to travel to some pretty interesting places in the world, but it also means that professors have to learn the relevant languages to perform that research (for example, if you specialize in the medieval Catholic Church, you have to learn Latin, the language in which the documents were written, and Italian, which is spoken at the Vatican archives). And, in order to be admitted to a quality graduate program, you need at least a 3.5, bare minimum, in terms of a cumulative GPA. So anyone interested in pursuing an MA and/or PhD in history should talk to a history department advisor, study hard, and begin working on those language skills! The American Historical Association's webpage also has good advice concerning preparation and the current academic job market.
Many history majors begin to consider secondary teaching as a career in their last year or two before graduation. It is possible to receive certification as a secondary school social studies teacher even if you didn't major in education. Here's a link to the State of Oklahoma's certification webpage: http://www.ok.gov/sde/teacher-certification.
Teach for America is another great way to break into secondary teaching after majoring in history. The Rainbolt College of Education has established a scholarship fund to pay the student loan debt of students who enter the teaching field. For more information, see Debt-Free Teachers.
Some graduates go on to work in a variety of public history environments, including museums, national parks, and other organizations that seek to present history to a public audience through exhibits, guided tours, film and other media, and the like. The National Council on Public History has a great website that can give you an idea of the full range of careers, good graduate programs, and current trends in the job market. USAJOBS also has a search engine that can show you what kind of jobs are available in government organizations and national parks.
Having learned how to do research extremely well, helping others do their own research may appeal to you. If so, you could pursue a MLIS (Master's degree in Library and Information Sciences). The MLIS prepares students to combine traditional research skills with advanced computer programming skills, including digital imaging and web publishing as well as rare document conservation and designing library collections. The American Library Association can give you more information as to careers in Library and Information Science, and tips on how to apply to top MLIS programs.
History majors learn a great deal about other cultures, peoples, and languages across the world; this is great preparation for a job in the foreign service, state department, and even domestic service-oriented jobs. The US Department of State's website is a great place to start looking at those career possibilities (and USAJOBS too). And, of course, if you're really looking to live amongst different peoples and cultures, there is always the Peace Corps.
History majors can find employment in a wide variety of publishing areas, including university presses, textbook and trade houses, magazines and journals, professional organizations, and institutional publication offices (including corporations). Presses that publish history and related fields need employees with familiarity of the subject matter as well as English grammar and writing skills (both of which you should have when you finish your capstone paper!).
In the past several decades, businesses have found graduates with liberal arts backgrounds to be prime candidates for executive training programs and, as a result, many History majors have developed rewarding business careers. And for that, Career Services is great.
Which brings us back to Henry Martin; he graduated with a degree in history from OU in 2010, and got a job as a Proofreader/Copy Coordinator in advertising with Ackerman McQueen in Tulsa. Here's what Henry has to say about the usefulness of his history education:
How History Helps: "The critical thinking, writing and research skills I developed as a History major are useful in every aspect of my job. I was chosen over many Advertising majors, despite this being an ad agency, because those abilities are valued above all else here."
Don't hesitate to ask any history professor about future careers!
