Career Development Grid

If you are interested in becoming a history teacher at the postsecondary level, you will need to have a minimum of a Master’s degree in history or a related field. In some cases, a PhD may be required. You will also need to have a strong background in historical research and writing, as well as a passion for teaching.
Typical job duties for a postsecondary history teacher include preparing and delivering lectures, leading discussions, grading assignments and exams, conducting research, and publishing scholarly articles and books. You may also be responsible for advising students and serving on academic committees.
The earning potential for postsecondary history teachers can vary depending on the institution and the level of experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for postsecondary history teachers was $76,620 in May 2020. However, salaries can range from around $40,000 to over $150,000 per year.
Opportunities for career advancement in this field include moving up to more senior teaching positions, such as department chair or dean, or transitioning into administrative roles, such as provost or president.
One of the biggest challenges facing people in this career is the competitive nature of the job market. There are often more qualified candidates than available positions, so it can be difficult to secure a full-time teaching job. To overcome this, it is important to gain as much experience as possible through teaching assistantships, adjunct positions, and other opportunities.
To gain experience and build a network in this field, it is important to get involved in academic organizations and attend conferences and workshops. You can also seek out opportunities to work with professors on research projects or to teach your own classes as a graduate student.
The job prospects for postsecondary history teachers are expected to be relatively stable in the coming years. However, competition for full-time positions may remain high. To succeed in this career, you will need to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a passion for teaching and research, and a willingness to adapt to new teaching methods and technologies.
Postsecondary history teachers can work in a variety of sectors and industries, including colleges and universities, research institutions, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Some common misconceptions about this career include that it is only for people who want to become professors or that it is a low-paying field. In reality, there are many opportunities for career advancement and the earning potential can be quite high for those with the right qualifications and experience.

To become a postsecondary history teacher, you typically need to have a master’s or doctoral degree in history or a related field. This usually involves completing a bachelor’s degree in history or a related field, followed by a graduate program in history.
In addition to formal education, postsecondary history teachers often have several years of experience working in the field of history, such as conducting research, publishing papers, and presenting at conferences. They may also have experience teaching at the secondary level or working as a teaching assistant during their graduate studies.
To teach at a college or university, postsecondary history teachers must also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to design and deliver effective lesson plans and assessments. They must also stay up-to-date with the latest research and trends in their field, and be able to incorporate this knowledge into their teaching.

The typical job duties and responsibilities of a History Teacher at the postsecondary level may include:
1. Preparing and delivering lectures and class materials on historical events, people, and cultures.
2. Developing and updating course syllabi, lesson plans, and instructional materials.
3. Conducting research and publishing scholarly articles or books in the field of history.
4. Evaluating and grading student assignments, exams, and research papers.
5. Providing academic advising and mentoring to students.
6. Participating in departmental and university committees and activities.
7. Collaborating with other faculty members and departments on interdisciplinary projects and initiatives.
8. Keeping up-to-date with developments and trends in the field of history through professional development activities, such as attending conferences and workshops.
9. Serving as a resource for students, colleagues, and the community on historical topics and issues.
10. Engaging in service activities, such as community outreach and involvement in professional organizations.

The earning potential for History Teachers, Postsecondary can vary depending on their experience, qualifications, and location. In the short term, postsecondary history teachers can expect to earn an average salary of around $50,000 to $60,000 per year. However, with more experience and qualifications, they can earn higher salaries of up to $100,000 or more.
In the long term, the earning potential for postsecondary history teachers can increase as they advance in their careers, take on leadership roles, and publish research. They may also have the opportunity to earn additional income through consulting, writing textbooks, or teaching summer courses.
Overall, the earning potential for postsecondary history teachers is moderate to high, but it ultimately depends on individual factors such as education, experience, and location.

The opportunities for career advancement for postsecondary history teachers depend on a variety of factors, including their level of education, teaching experience, research and publication record, and leadership skills. Here are some potential opportunities for career advancement in this field:
1. Promotion to higher academic ranks: Postsecondary history teachers typically start as assistant professors and can advance to associate professor and full professor ranks based on their teaching, research, and service accomplishments.
2. Departmental or program leadership roles: Experienced history teachers may be appointed as department chairs, program directors, or coordinators, responsible for overseeing the curriculum, faculty hiring and evaluation, budgeting, and strategic planning.
3. Administrative positions: History teachers with strong leadership and management skills may pursue administrative roles such as academic deans, provosts, or presidents of colleges or universities.
4. Research and publication: History teachers who produce significant research and publish in scholarly journals or books may gain recognition in their field and increase their chances of receiving grants, fellowships, or awards.
5. Consulting or public speaking: History teachers with expertise in a particular area of history may be invited to consult for museums, historical societies, government agencies, or media outlets, or to give public lectures or workshops.
6. Online teaching or curriculum development: History teachers may expand their reach and impact by developing and teaching online courses or contributing to the development of digital history resources.
Overall, the career advancement opportunities for postsecondary history teachers are diverse and rewarding, but require a combination of academic excellence, leadership skills, and professional networking.

The biggest challenges facing people in the postsecondary history teaching career are:
1. Keeping students engaged: One of the biggest challenges for history teachers is to keep students interested and engaged in the subject matter. History can be perceived as boring or irrelevant by some students, and it is the teacher’s responsibility to make the subject matter interesting and relevant to the students.
2. Keeping up with new research: History is an ever-evolving field, and new research is constantly being conducted. Postsecondary history teachers need to stay up-to-date with the latest research and findings, which can be a challenge.
3. Dealing with controversial topics: History is full of controversial topics, and postsecondary history teachers need to be able to navigate these topics in a sensitive and appropriate manner. This can be challenging, especially when dealing with sensitive topics such as slavery, genocide, and war.
To overcome these challenges, postsecondary history teachers can:
1. Use innovative teaching methods: Using a variety of teaching methods, such as group work, debates, and multimedia presentations, can help keep students engaged and interested in the subject matter.
2. Attend conferences and workshops: Attending conferences and workshops can help postsecondary history teachers stay up-to-date with the latest research and findings in the field.
3. Foster a respectful and inclusive classroom environment: Creating a classroom environment that is respectful and inclusive can help students feel comfortable discussing controversial topics and can help prevent misunderstandings and hurt feelings.

There are several ways to gain experience and build a network in the field of postsecondary history teaching:
1. Pursue a degree in history: A degree in history is the first step towards a career in postsecondary history teaching. This will provide you with a solid foundation in the subject matter and help you gain a deeper understanding of historical events and their significance.
2. Volunteer or intern at historical societies or museums: Volunteering or interning at historical societies or museums will allow you to gain hands-on experience in historical research, curation, and preservation. This will also help you build a network of professionals in the field.
3. Attend conferences and seminars: Attending conferences and seminars is a great way to learn about the latest trends and developments in the field of history. This will also give you the opportunity to network with other professionals in the field.
4. Publish research papers and articles: Publishing research papers and articles in academic journals is a great way to establish yourself as an expert in the field of history. This will also help you build a network of colleagues and peers who share your interests.
5. Work as a teaching assistant: Working as a teaching assistant for a postsecondary history course is a great way to gain experience in teaching and to build relationships with professors in the field.
6. Join professional organizations: Joining professional organizations such as the American Historical Association or the National Council for History Education will provide you with access to resources and networking opportunities in the field of history.

The job prospects for postsecondary history teachers are moderate. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2019 to 2029, which is faster than the average for all occupations. However, the number of job openings will vary by region and institution type.
In terms of history specifically, the demand for history teachers may be influenced by factors such as changes in curriculum requirements and enrollment trends. Additionally, the availability of funding for higher education institutions can affect the number of job openings for postsecondary teachers.
Overall, while there is expected to be some growth in the demand for postsecondary history teachers, it is important for individuals pursuing this career to be flexible and open to opportunities in different regions or institutions. Additionally, individuals who are able to teach multiple subjects or have experience with online teaching may have an advantage in the job market.

To succeed as a postsecondary history teacher, one must possess the following skills and qualities:
1. Strong knowledge of history: A postsecondary history teacher must have a deep understanding of history and the ability to teach it effectively.
2. Excellent communication skills: Effective communication skills are essential in this career as postsecondary history teachers are required to communicate complex historical concepts to students.
3. Passion for teaching: A passion for teaching is necessary to be able to inspire and motivate students to learn.
4. Critical thinking and analytical skills: Postsecondary history teachers must be able to analyze complex historical events and draw conclusions from them.
5. Research skills: A postsecondary history teacher must have excellent research skills to stay up-to-date with new research and information in the field of history.
6. Organizational skills: Postsecondary history teachers must be able to manage their time and resources effectively to plan lessons, grade assignments, and meet deadlines.
7. Interpersonal skills: A postsecondary history teacher must be able to work well with students, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
8. Patience and empathy: It is important for postsecondary history teachers to be patient and empathetic towards their students, especially when dealing with difficult or challenging topics.

The demand for postsecondary history teachers is generally in the education sector, particularly at colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions. However, there may also be opportunities for history teachers to work in the following sectors or industries:
1. Government: History teachers may find work in government agencies, such as museums, archives, or historical societies.
2. Publishing: Some history teachers may choose to write and publish books, articles, or other materials related to their field.
3. Media: History teachers may work in the media industry, providing historical commentary or analysis for news programs, documentaries, or other media productions.
4. Research: History teachers may also find work in research organizations, conducting historical research or providing historical expertise to other researchers.
5. Non-profit organizations: History teachers may work for non-profit organizations that focus on historical preservation, education, or advocacy.

Misconception: History teachers only teach facts and dates.
Reality: While history teachers do teach important historical facts and dates, they also focus on critical thinking, analysis, and interpretation of historical events and their impact on society. They encourage students to develop their own perspectives and to question commonly held beliefs about history.
Misconception: History teachers only teach about the past.
Reality: History teachers also help students understand how past events have shaped current society and the world. They encourage students to think about how historical events continue to impact our lives and to consider the long-term consequences of current events.
Misconception: History teachers have limited job opportunities.
Reality: History teachers can find employment in a variety of settings, including public and private schools, colleges and universities, museums, historical societies, and government agencies. They can also pursue careers in fields such as journalism, law, politics, and research.
Misconception: History teachers only teach about Western history.
Reality: History teachers strive to provide a well-rounded education that includes the history of diverse cultures and regions. They teach about the histories of different countries, ethnic groups, and religions, as well as the history of social movements and marginalized communities. They aim to provide a balanced and comprehensive understanding of history.