History Majors in the Workplace | Recent Alumni Panel 2021
From Andrea Janda
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Wondering how to take the skills you’ve learned studying History and apply them in the workplace?
The rigorous research, information synthesis and management, public speaking, and writing requirements asked of history majors offer excellent preparation for careers in law, journalism, public relations, technical writing, fundraising, business and nonprofit administration, and government service—and that’s just the start!
In this conversation, three recent PSU History graduates talk about their experiences on the job market, where they went to work after earning their degrees, and how to sell your skills to potential employers.
Professor John Ott, Chair of the History Department, facilitates the conversation.
Grace Clancy holds a Bachelor of Science in History, Liberal Studies, Social Science, and a Certificate in Global Studies. She graduated from PSU in 2019. While she studied at PSU, she had jobs on campus that exposed her to the field of Marketing/Communications. In her senior year, she worked with a Professor in the Department of International and Global Studies to develop an extensive annotated bibliography in sources related to infectious diseases (such as SARS, Spanish Influenza, and Yellow Fever) and how governments respond to them. Her experiences and interests led her to her current role as a Research Assistant and Policy Analyst for a grant-funded non-profit that specializes in assisting providers and operators in the field of Substance Use Disorder Treatment and recovery in rural areas. Her role allows her to explore the development of standardized outcome measurement, best practices research, and program evaluation. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spending time with her family, exploring the Columbia River Gorge, and keeping up with all things medieval history!
Blake Brooks graduated from PSU in 2017 with a BS in History and interned at the Washington County Museum during his Senior year. He's held two jobs since graduating, the first as an Employment Specialist at United Cerebral Palsy of Oregon, and currently as a Technical Recruiter for a local IT recruiting agency, IT Motives. Blake went into recruiting because he likes getting to know people and making new connections, and enjoys using the experience and perspective of a recruiter to help those who have recently graduated find their start in the job market. Diversity and inclusion are important values to Blake, and he has worked to advocate for both within the community, and in the workplace. Outside of work, Blake is an avid reader, an aspiring author, a history enthusiast and a video game nerd!
Aubrie Kent graduated from Portland State with a BA in History in 2018, with minors in Classical Studies and Medieval Studies. She wrote her senior honors thesis on the political activities of the medieval saint, Catherine of Siena. She went on to earn a Master of Philosophy in Medieval History from the University of Cambridge in 2019, where she wrote her dissertation on late-medieval Italian women’s religious practices. During her time at PSU, she worked in the Office of Academic Affairs and as a University Studies undergraduate peer mentor. Aubrie is currently the Events Coordinator for the College of Natural Sciences at Colorado State University, where she plans and organizes college-level events, such as commencement.
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