Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Historian- from: Youtube Search
- Digitisation of Parish Registers at the NLI - from: National Library of Ireland [Video]
- Head of Digital Library, NLI- from: National Library of Ireland [Video]
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Working Life
A historian has the fascinating job of studying and interpreting the past. When people need detailed, nuanced information about the past, they go to historians to get the facts. These individuals write history books about all kinds of topics, times, people, and places. From ancient history, to a specific decade, to even one specific historical event, historians will study and fact-find in order to share that information with the public.
There are many different types of historians, each with a specialty or a specific area of study in which they are experts:
-May Work in colleges or universities in research of Lecturing capacity
-Blog or vlog from Authouring publications or books
-They may be Archivists
-Act as Consultants on specific time periods or topics
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Conserve and preserve manuscripts, records, and other artifacts.
- Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
- Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
- Research and prepare manuscripts in support of public programming and the development of exhibits at historic sites, museums, libraries, and archives.
- Present historical accounts in terms of individuals or social, ethnic, political, economic, or geographic groupings.
- Organise data, and analyse and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.
- Research the history of a particular country or region, or of a specific time period.
- Conduct historical research, and publish or present findings and theories.
- Recommend actions related to historical art, such as which items to add to a collection or which items to display in an exhibit.
- Determine which topics to research, or pursue research topics specified by clients or employers.
Qualities - Historian
Historians generally are:
-Investigative individuals
-Intellectual, introspective, and inquisitive.
-Curious, methodical, rational, analytical, and logical.
-Artistic, creative, intuitive, sensitive, articulate, and expressive.
-Commitment to accuracy of detail
-Good Communication skills
Interests - Historian
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Naturalist
Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.
Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Entry / Progression - Historian
There are many pathways to becoming a Historian. These take many years of study and commitment to your subject area and research. Study may involve travel to other countries for your research.
If you are interested in studying the past and how it shapes the present, you might want to pursue a career as a Historian. There are many pathways to becoming a Historian, depending on your academic background, interests and goals. Some common steps include earning a bachelor's degree in history or a related field, gaining relevant work experience, pursuing a master's or doctoral degree in history, and applying for jobs in academic, public or private sectors.
Historians can work as professors, researchers, curators, archivists, consultants and more. No matter what path you choose, you will need to develop skills such as critical thinking, analysis, writing and communication.
People may travel to Ireland to complete their PhD at Doctoral level, this will involve GNIB stamps in line with their research & status, check here.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: history.
Search for CAO Courses
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).
Example search terms include: history.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Pay & Salary - Historian
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €108k
Saleries can vary greatly, depending on expertise and place worked, such as academica, a library or broadcasting.
Data Source(s):
IUA/ ETBI/ Gov.ie
Last Updated: August, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Historian
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: University, Technical Universities lecturers; Further and higher education teaching professionals.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
The five-year annual average growth for this occupation was below average, with employment levels in 2022 unchanged from the previous year. Vacancies for this occupational group primarily related to lecturers (DSP data), with lecturers across a variety of disciplines also featuring in the employment permit data in 2022.
This occupation has a high share of those employed aged 55 years and over (at 25%), indicating that replacement demand alone may create job opportunities in future years. Demographic factors may also lead to an increased demand for these roles, although this will be dependent on government funding.
Useful Contacts - Historian
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Irish Research Council
- Brooklawn House, Crampton Avenue, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
- (01) 231 5000
- [email protected]
- Click Here
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Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
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National Archives of Ireland
