What types of careers are available for someone who majors in history?

History is a liberal arts degree- meaning that you define the major, the major doesn't define you. Similar to a biology or English degree, there aren't specific jobs that align with that major, instead you'll learn critical thinking skills, writing skills and of course- history!

My advice would be if you plan on switching to History, make sure you secure a couple internships throughout your college career and are involved in campus organizations. Employers care about experience as much (if not more) as they do about the major itself. Transferable skills like, writing, communication, organization and problem solving are are very important to employers and are skills you can practice in and outside the classroom- regardless of the major.

History majors I've worked with in the past have gone into a variety of fields ranging from politics, to non-profit, to business, to education. The experience you gain outside the classroom will define where you move in the future.

People who major in history fall into a couple of categories.
1. The continuous scholar - history majors are often book worms, we love to read and learn new things and are very good at trivial pursuit. We like information both gaining and giving it. We enjoy learning and what it shows others, that history degree of ours, is that we find answers or find ways to get the answer.
2. The teacher - much like the scholar we feel the need to tell people things we have learned but we also tend to love people - both the ones from the past that we learn about and the ones we teach the information too,
3. The history degree as a path to law school - an oft chosen path for people who want to become lawyers - history degrees often show that we are demons at research and either get it done quickly or just love doing it so we dive in the deep end and find out all kinds of information - this is very important when it comes to law. you have to find the right law to make your case.
4. The history major who loves their degree but does not work in their field. As it turns out I fall into the category here - I work for a technology company - tending to be a bit far flung from the past, we are always looking to the future. However the practices of research and the ability to write are things I learned as a history major and also things I use on an everyday basis for my day job.
Now having said all that - a degree in general shows that you can complete something and generally colleges will help with their career development centers will help you find a career and/ or a job. Think about it this way though, it is important to study something you will enjoy, that you will want to finish, and that you will take away something, some skill, that you did not have before.

Good Luck!!