How to Be Public Historian - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 29, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The increasing demand for public historians has been driven by the need to preserve and interpret the past for present and future generations. As the public's interest in history grows, so does their need to know more about their personal and cultural heritage. In turn, public historians are becoming increasingly sought-after to bridge the gap between the past and present.

This need has led to an increase in academic and professional programs focused on public history, as well as a rise in the number of public historians employed by government, academic, and non-profit institutions. Public historians have become essential to our understanding of our shared history, including the preservation of artifacts, documents, and oral histories, the development of educational materials, and the production of exhibits for museums and other public spaces.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelors Degree. The first step to becoming a public historian is to earn a bachelors degree in history or a related field. During the course of your studies, you should take classes that focus on the history of public policy, law, and government.
Earn a Masters Degree. Most public historians will also need to earn a masters degree in history or public history. This degree program should include coursework that focuses on archiving, public history research methods, and the practice of public history.
Gain Experience. After completing your educational requirements, it is important to gain experience in the field of public history. This can include internships or volunteer work at museums, historical societies, or other organizations that maintain archives and collections of historical records.
Obtain Certification. Obtaining certification as a Certified Public Historian (CPH) can help you stand out from other applicants when seeking employment as a public historian. To qualify for this certification, you must have a masters degree in history or public history, three years of full-time professional experience in the field of public history, and pass an exam.
Find Employment. Once you have earned the necessary education and experience, you can start looking for employment as a public historian. Job opportunities may include positions at museums, historical societies, archives, libraries, and other organizations that maintain records and collections of historical objects.

Staying ahead and competent as a public historian requires an ongoing effort to stay informed and educated about current trends in the field. This can be achieved by reading scholarly journals, attending conferences, and taking courses in related disciplines. it is important to stay connected with colleagues in the field to keep up on the latest research and best practices.

Finally, public historians should take advantage of digital tools and technology, such as online databases, social media, and digital mapping applications, to enhance their understanding of historical topics and to better connect with the public. By doing these things, public historians can remain up-to-date and knowledgeable about their field, ensuring their continued success and competence.

You may want to check Historical Archaeologist, History Professor, and Museum Consultant for alternative.

Job Description

Museum Curator
Preservation Specialist
Archivist
Museum Educator
Exhibit Designer
Historic Preservation Planner
Cultural Resources Manager
Historic Site Manager
Oral Historian
Heritage Interpreter

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of history and historical trends
Research skills
Oral and written communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Critical thinking and analysis
Computer and technology proficiency
Project management skills
Familiarity with archival sources and collections
Knowledge of museum operations and protocols
Familiarity with public history and cultural heritage practices
Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and in teams
Problem-solving abilities
Public speaking abilities
Organizational skills
Time management skills

Being a public historian requires an extensive set of skills, including research, writing, and public speaking. Research skills are critical to a public historian's work, as they need to be able to search for and analyze primary and secondary sources, both in physical and digital formats. Writing skills are also essential, as public historians must be able to effectively communicate their findings in engaging and informative ways.

Public speaking is also very important, as public historians often communicate with groups of people to discuss their historical discoveries. All of these skills are essential for a public historian to successfully educate the public about historical events and people. By having these skills, public historians can help to preserve the collective memory of society and ensure that future generations learn from our history.

Historic Preservation Advocate, Historic Preservation Commissioner, and Historical Research Analyst are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What led you to become a Public Historian?
What are your primary research interests?
How have you used digital technologies to advance your work as a Public Historian?
How do you engage diverse audiences in your research and/or programming?
What strategies do you use to make history accessible and relevant to todays audiences?
How do you balance historical accuracy with storytelling and emotional impact in your work?
What experience do you have working with museums, archives, and other cultural institutions?
How have you used primary sources to gain insights into the past?
What tools or techniques do you use to collect and analyze data?
What do you believe are the most important elements of successful public history programming?

Common Tools in Industry

Document Management Software. A software used to store, organize and retrieve digital documents (eg. Microsoft Sharepoint).
Digital Asset Management Software. A software used to store, organize, and manage digital media (eg. Adobe Creative Cloud).
Project Management Software. A software used to track the progress of a project and assign tasks (eg. Trello).
Social Media Management Software. A software used to manage multiple social media accounts (eg. Hootsuite).
Research Databases. Databases used to search for scholarly literature and other primary sources (eg. EBSCOHost).
Archival Database Software. A software used to store, organize and access archival material (eg. Archivists Toolkit).
Digital Storytelling Software. A software used to create interactive multimedia stories (eg. Adobe Spark).
Video Editing Software. A software used to edit video clips and add transitions, effects, and titles (eg. Adobe Premiere Pro).
Website Design Software. A software used to create and customize websites (eg. WordPress).
Geographic Information System (GIS). A system used to capture, store, analyze, manipulate, and visualize geographic data (eg. ArcGIS).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Association for State and Local History (AASLH)
National Council on Public History (NCPH)
International Public History Association (IPHA)
Association of Canadian Archivists (ACA)
Society of American Archivists (SAA)
American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Museum Computer Network (MCN)
American Association of Museums (AAM)
American Anthropological Association (AAA)

We also have Historic Preservation Architect, Cultural Resource Specialist, and Museum Educator jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Archival Studies. The study and practice of managing, organizing, preserving, and maintaining archival materials in an organized and accessible manner.
Oral History. The recording and study of first-hand accounts of past events, typically from a particular community or population.
Museum Studies. The examination and application of the principles, practices, and methods used to manage, preserve, and interpret collections in museums.
Preservation. The protection, conservation, and maintenance of physical records or artifacts.
Digital Humanities. The application of digital technology to the humanities, including the use of digital tools to study and preserve historical records.
Public History. The study and practice of using history to engage public audiences, typically through programs and services such as museum exhibits, educational initiatives, and consulting services.
Heritage Studies. The examination of how societies identify and make use of their historical resources to create meaningful connections with the past.
Historic Preservation. The protection, preservation, and restoration of historic sites and buildings.
Documentary Editing. The preparation of historic documents for publication by editing, annotating, and verifying their accuracy.
Cultural Resource Management. The management of cultural heritage resources with the aim of protecting them for future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Public Historian?

A Public Historian is a historian who specializes in communicating history to the public. They work to make complex historical topics more accessible and interesting to a general audience.

What qualifications do you need to become a Public Historian?

A minimum of a Master's degree in History or a related field is required to become a Public Historian. In addition, many employers may require experience in public history, or specialized knowledge in a particular field.

What type of work can Public Historians do?

Public Historians can work in many different fields, from museum curation and educational programs, to writing and research. They can also work in archives and libraries, as well as in government positions or consulting.

How much do Public Historians typically earn?

The salary for a Public Historian varies depending on their location and experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for historians was $63,680 in 2019.

What are some professional organizations for Public Historians?

Professional organizations for Public Historians include the National Council on Public History, the American Association for State and Local History, and the Organization of American Historians.

Web Resources

The Public Historian | University of California Press online.ucpress.edu
About | The Public Historian | University of California Press online.ucpress.edu
Project MUSE - The Public Historian muse.jhu.edu