About History
Why Study History?
"So, what are you going to do with a history major?"
That's a fair question. For many, the entire point of pursuing a college education is to open opportunities for a better job or better pay — to do something, and what can you do by studying the past? Quite a lot, actually. History is about more than just knowing the past. It's about understanding why things happened as they did and how they continue to shape our world today.
History majors work as teachers, lawyers, in business, finance, healthcare, government, communications, non-profits, public service, and really, almost everywhere. By studying history, you will acquire skills that help you think critically about a subject, locate evidence, understand perspectives and biases, and make persuasive arguments. These skills can be applied anywhere. Indeed, these are precisely the skills most employers are looking for in prospective applicants. So perhaps the question should be,"why NOT study history?"
Department land acknowledgment
We acknowledge the Nisenan people on whose unceded lands we are gathering and the Puhtwin and Miwok peoples whose unceded homelands also include the city of Sacramento. We also acknowledge the sovereign tribes of Nisenan, Wintun, Miwok, Me-Wuk, and Maidu peoples in the wider Sacramento region.
Division Resources
Connect with Department of History
Find Us
Department of History
Tahoe Hall,
3080
Hours: Mon – Fri 8 a.m. – noon, 1–5 p.m.
Contact Us
Phone: (916) 278-6206
history@csus.edu