A number of resources are available to you both in the History Department and elsewhere on campus to help you explore possible future plans. The resources below all bring a different perspective to career exploration and professional development and are open to students of all levels. Many of these resources are available to alumni as well!
History Career Advising
The History Department has its own career advisor! Christina Matta is here to help you explore your interests and search for jobs or internships; pair you with an alumni mentor; review cover letters and resumes, and much more! Prospective History majors and recent grads are welcome to consult with Christina as well. To schedule an appointment, please see Starfish.
History 300/301
History 300, History at Work is a 1- or 2-credit course that introduces students to various careers and provides them with strategies for building their own experience and starting a job or internship search. It emphasizes how the skills students learn in their classes apply outside of academia and encourages students to explore ways to think and talk about their History degree so that others can understand its value and applicability outside of the university. All students attend the speaker series, which features presentations by alumni on their own career paths and getting started in the field; students enrolled for 2 credits attend a discussion section that focuses on other professional topics, such as personal finance, choosing a graduate program, or using specialized job search tools. Students who are enrolled in the 2-credit option and are completing an internship may also choose to take History 301: History at Work – Internship, in which students reflect on their experiences.
For more information about History 300, please see Course Search & Enroll. To learn more about History 301, please talk with Christina Matta.
Alumni Mentors
Want to learn more about a particular career, or want an inside perspective on how the History major is valuable in the workforce? Consider an alumni mentor! This program matches undergraduate majors (and recent grads) with History alumni who have been successful in their fields and are willing to share their experiences. Whether you are looking for a one-time resume review, an informational interview, or longer-term guidance, mentors can be a valuable resource in developing your first professional network and exploring potential pathways. Some of our mentors have kept in touch with their students long past graduation, and some of our first students have even come back as mentors. For more information, see Christina Matta.
Campus Career Resources
Center for Pre-Law Advising
The Center for Pre-Law Advising (CPLA) seeks to help increase access to and equity and diversity within the field of law by providing excellent advising, programming, and other career development resources to all UW-Madison students and alumni – no time limit! CPLA serves advisees at all stages of the process of considering, preparing for, or applying to law school.
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks is a centralized career center where L&S majors can explore their interests, connect with others who share their passions, and develop skills they need to take their next steps toward success. Students can explore interests through the thematic “Career Communities,”, and specialists are available in a wide range of fields in which L&S alumni have been successful. SuccessWorks also offers a career closet for students who need professional clothing for interviews, internships, and jobs; a lively schedule of career events and workshops throughout the year; walk-in advice for resumes and cover letters, and even funding opportunities for summer internships.
Career Exploration Center
The Career Exploration Center guides UW undergraduates who are considering their major and career options focus on interests, strengths, and values. They offer individual advising and workshops designed to introduce students to various fields and to engage them in the process of professional development. Other CEC resources include a lending career library and access to career assessments such as Career Locker and StrengthsQuest.
Handshake
Handshake is UW’s career connections and development platform. It provides access to internship and job announcements for thousands of employers, along with event announcements and registration, discussion threads, customized searching based on your profile and interests, and links to other career resources. You can even upload documents such as resumes for ease in submitting online applications. Handshake is available to all currently enrolled UW undergraduates and to alumni who completed a degree at UW-Madison.