How to Be Historical Analyst - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Mar 8, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The development of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century caused a significant rise in the demand for labor and resources, resulting in a rapid urbanization of populations around the world. This led to the growth of large cities, such as London and New York, which experienced an influx of people from rural areas and other countries seeking jobs and opportunities. This increased competition for resources and employment, creating a large gap between the wealthy industrialists and the working poor who often lived in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions. This separation resulted in increased poverty, hunger, and illness, contributing to the rise of social movements such as labor unions and the rise of socialism.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. Start by earning a bachelor's degree in history, economics, or another related field. You will need a minimum of a four-year degree to become a historical analyst.
Develop Analytical Skills. Historical analysts need to have strong analytical skills. Take courses in mathematics and statistics to hone your skills.
Gain Experience. It is beneficial to gain experience in some form of research or analysis prior to becoming a historical analyst. Internships or volunteer opportunities can help you gain the needed experience.
Obtain Specialized Training. Historical analysts need to know how to use specialized software programs such as SAS, SPSS, or STATA. If you do not already have experience using these programs, consider obtaining specialized training.
Consider Certification. There are several organizations that offer certification for historical analysts. Consider becoming certified in order to demonstrate your proficiency and knowledge in the field.
Find Employment. There are many organizations that hire historical analysts, such as universities, research organizations, and private companies. Look for job openings and apply for positions that interest you.

The rise in global temperatures has caused a dramatic increase in natural disasters and extreme weather events. Rising temperatures are leading to increased evaporation and more intense storms, floods, and droughts, which are wreaking havoc in many parts of the world. This is leading to greater displacement of people, destruction of infrastructure, and loss of life.

Furthermore, the increasing temperatures are threatening ecosystems, impacting biodiversity, and leading to the extinction of certain species. As a result, reliable and competent adaptation strategies are needed in order to mitigate the effects of climate change.

You may want to check Military Historian, Environmental Historian, and Gender Historian for alternative.

Job Description

Senior Historical Analyst: Responsible for researching and analyzing past events, trends, and patterns in order to make informed decisions about the present and future. Responsibilities include conducting primary and secondary research, gathering and analyzing data, organizing findings, and preparing detailed reports.
Historical Researcher: Responsible for conducting research on a variety of topics related to history. Responsibilities include researching both primary and secondary sources, conducting interviews with experts, verifying data accuracy, and writing reports on findings.
Historical Document Specialist: Responsible for archiving and preserving historical documents. Responsibilities include cataloging and organizing documents, digitizing documents as needed, creating a database to store documents, and ensuring documents are secure.
Historical Data Analyst: Responsible for analyzing historical data to identify correlations and trends. Responsibilities include gathering data from various sources, conducting statistical analyses, interpreting results, and providing reports to stakeholders.
Historical Consultant: Responsible for providing consulting services to clients on issues related to history. Responsibilities include researching various topics, identifying potential solutions, presenting findings to clients, and creating action plans to address issues.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Research and data analysis skills
Knowledge of economic, social, and political history
Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods
Ability to interpret and analyze data
Strong writing and communication skills
Working knowledge of digital tools (e. g. , Excel, SPSS, SAS)
Ability to work independently and with a team
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Organizational skills
Attention to detail
Ability to create presentations and reports

Historical analysts need to have strong research, critical thinking, and communication skills in order to be successful. Research skills are important for understanding the context, facts, and details of a particular event or period in history. Critical thinking is necessary to interpret multiple sources and draw meaningful conclusions.

Communication skills are essential for presenting the results of their research in a clear, concise, and compelling manner. historical analysts need to have an understanding of various sources, such as primary and secondary documents, oral histories, photographs, and artifacts. This knowledge is crucial in order to evaluate the accuracy, reliability, and relevance of these sources.

Finally, a strong sense of objectivity is essential for providing an unbiased perspective on the history being studied. All of these skills are necessary for a successful career as a historical analyst.

Art Historian, Historic Preservation Officer, and Historical Interpreter are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working in the field of historical analysis?
How have you contributed to the understanding of a particular historical event or period?
What research methodology do you use when analyzing historical data?
How do you ensure accuracy and validity of your historical analysis?
How do you determine what documents or sources are relevant to your research?
Describe a project in which you have conducted a successful historical analysis.
How do you identify and analyze patterns in historical data?
How do you prioritize tasks when faced with multiple research projects?
How do you stay current with developments in the field of historical analysis?
What strategies do you use to ensure effective communication of your findings?

Common Tools in Industry

Data Visualization Software. This software helps to create interactive charts, graphs, and maps to better visualize and analyze data. (eg: Tableau, Power BI, QlikView)
Machine Learning/AI Platforms. Platforms used to develop and deploy AI/ML algorithms to analyze data and uncover patterns. (eg: TensorFlow, PyTorch, Azure ML)
Text Analysis Tools. Tools used to analyze text-based data and uncover insights. (eg: GATE, Stanford CoreNLP, NLTK)
Statistical Analysis Software. Software used to perform statistical analysis on data sets. (eg: SPSS, SAS, STATA)
Database Management Systems. Software used to store, organize, and query data. (eg: MySQL, Oracle, MongoDB)
Quantitative Analysis Tools. Tools used to analyze large datasets and uncover patterns. (eg: R Studio, MATLAB, Wolfram Alpha)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Historical Association
Canadian Historical Association
World History Association
Society for Military History
African Studies Association
National Council on Public History
National Council for the Social Studies
American Association for State and Local History
Organization of American Historians
Economic History Association

We also have Historian Educator, Ethnographic Historian, and Visual Historian jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Archival Research. The practice of examining historical documents, artifacts, and other materials in order to gain insight into the past.
Primary Sources. Original documents, artifacts, and other materials from a particular period of history.
Secondary Sources. Documents, artifacts, and other materials created by someone other than the original author or creator.
Historical Interpretation. The process of analyzing and interpreting primary and secondary sources to form an understanding of past events and their significance.
Epistemology. The branch of philosophy that deals with the nature and scope of knowledge.
Historiography. The study of the methods used by historians to study and interpret past events.
Contextual Analysis. The examination of a specific source in its historical context in order to understand it better.
Chronology. The arrangement of past events according to their relative order of occurrence.
Archaeology. The study of past cultures and civilizations through the excavation and analysis of artifacts and other physical remains.
Statistical Analysis. The use of numerical data in order to draw conclusions about past events or trends.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Historical Analyst?

A Historical Analyst is a professional who uses historical research methods to analyze past events, investigate the causes and effects of those events, and draw conclusions about the implications for current and future events.

What skills are necessary for a Historical Analyst?

Historical Analysts must possess strong research, writing, and analytical skills. They must also be proficient in interpreting primary source documents and other historical records, understanding how different elements of the past are connected, and communicating their findings effectively.

What type of work do Historical Analysts do?

Historical Analysts typically conduct research on topics of interest related to history, develop theories about past and present events, analyze data and other sources to draw conclusions about their findings, and write reports on their conclusions.

What type of education is required for a Historical Analyst?

Most professional Historical Analysts have at least a Bachelor's degree in History or a related field, although some may also hold advanced degrees in the field.

What is the salary range for a Historical Analyst?

The salary range for a Historical Analyst can vary depending on experience, location, and other factors. According to PayScale, the average salary for a Historical Analyst is $50,000 per year.

Web Resources

Historical Analysis Overview | Integrated Action Civics Project iacp.berkeley.edu
3. Historical Analysis and Interpretation | Public History Initiative phi.history.ucla.edu
Foundations - Historical Analysis - Grand Valley State University www.gvsu.edu