5 Things A History Degree Will Teach You That Will Help You In The Field Of Media Communications
- Context
- Research Skills
- Writing Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Specialization
A history degree can teach a number of things that are helpful in the field of media communications. This field encompasses different types of jobs including:
- public relations
- journalism
- corporate communications
- social media management and more
It may involve sectors ranging from politics to private industry to entertainment. Below are five skills from studying history that are transferable to this field.
See our ranking of the 30 Best History Degree Online Programs (Bachelor’s).
1. Context
Most people’s understanding of current events goes about as far back as their memory does. As a historian, you can bring an understanding of context to your job. If you work in journalism, that could mean grasping the historic roots of a political situation. If you work in advertising or public relations, it could mean knowing the environment into which a particular product or solution was originally introduced. Having this kind of background may mean you are better suited than others to:
- quickly grasp the nuances of a situation
- analyze them
- communicate them to others.
2. Research Skills
If you don’t know the context, you know how to find out. Studying history means learning how to research effectively. This includes:
- how to find sources in the first place
- how to assess their accuracy
- how to apply that information to the present situation
These types of skills are helpful in a fast-paced environment where you are often called on to release a statement or react in some other way to a developing situation.
3. Writing Skills
Studying history can help you in media communication. Writing skills and good communication skills, in general, are critical to success in this field. With a history background, you’ll become adept at reading complex information from disparate sources. You’ll use that information to write in a clear and concise manner. You’ll develop the ability to take information that is complicated or even contradictory. You’ll turn it into something that is readable and coherent. It’s useful for someone in this field whether the specialty is:
- business
- politics
- entertainment or something else.
4. Critical Thinking
Employers are increasingly bemoaning a lack of soft skills among new college graduates. Critical thinking skills are in particularly short supply. According to an article in
Forbes, nearly two-thirds of managers say new hires are lacking in this area. Studying history is an excellent way to hone critical thinking skills to work in media communication. History requires drawing conclusions and creating a narrative from evidence. Critical thinking skills are important in this field. Why? Because people may need to quickly evaluate and analyze information from different sources.
5. Specialization
Unlike a more general degree such as public relations or journalism, history may give people a particular niche in which they have the expertise to do certain types of jobs. For example, a person might work as a media spokesperson or liaison for an organization based in a particular region. Knowledge of that area and its history means the person will be able to better communicate with the local community about the organization’s work as well as with the wider public.
Instead of studying the subject of media itself, people who wish to go into this field may find that choosing another major, such as history. It’s a good way to build the skills and background that employers are seeking. Getting a history degree is one of several excellent ways to prepare for the field of media communications.
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