I am currently working on my BA History Degree, and I am considering a minor to go with it. I plan to become a librarian after this degree and maybe eventually get a Master’s Degree. But for now, what minor do you think I should take?
Have you considered a minor or double major in Economics or Finance?
The good Financial Historians add so much value.
There is so much still to be written and discussed.
Perhaps, read a book by Russell Napier, Edward Chancellor, or James Grant.
They all love what they do, are very highly regarded in the institutional investment world, get to meet a lot of brilliant people, and enjoy a very nice lifestyle/income.
Why do you want a minor? Serious question.
Have you done any IT courses? are you experienced in any of the database applications used in libraries?
If you are in a college that offers a Masters in Library Science, go over to them and ask them for suggestions of courses that would be appropriate.
Note that courses & experience are relevant; whether that coursework has the label “minor” really won’t matter.
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Most librarian positions require a Master’s Degree in Library Science and/or Information Science.
Library Science programs do not typically require any specific undergraduate majors or minors. Think about the type of librarian you want to be: public services, technical services, or other. Also think about the type of library you envision yourself in: public, school (k-12), academic, research or other specialized.
For a public services position courses in public speaking would be beneficial. If you ultimately want to work in a school library or as a children’s librarian, take courses in children’s literature. If you think you’d prefer technical services, take programming courses.
If your goal is to be a history librarian at a college or university library take the courses that will prepare you for a Master’s program in history as university libraries often require librarians to have a subject master’s in addition to the MLS.
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Whatever seems interesting to you. Seriously, librarians have to be curious about everything.
Also, a couple of computer courses wouldn’t hurt.
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I have heard that university libraries have subject matter librarians – e.g. Math, History, Economics etc. To help kids search for materials in those subjects. So if you can get a job in a university library, the minor may help you add value, and be useful to the universty making employment easier. So pick a subject that is comfortable to you in addition to what you are already doing.
My daughter has a BA in history (general) and is now getting a masters in history with her thesis on Tibetan art in the western world (yes, very marketable!)
Her minor was in museum studies. I think a minor in a foreign language would have been useful.
My cousin has a BA in American studies and a masters in library science. She’s been a researcher for a think tank for years and loves it.
Especially since the definition of a “minor” (in terms of typical number of courses and how many of them have to be upper level) varies widely across colleges.
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An increasing number of schools are offering programs in “Digital Humanities,” which could be a great enhancement to a History degree. As one example, Berkeley offers it as a summer program (minor for UCB students, certificate for non-UCB students) https://digitalhumanities.berkeley.edu/
Since your chosen vocation appears to require a Master’s degree, I think you should minor in whatever interests you. If you aren’t sure, think about which of your pre-requisite/gen-ed courses were the most enjoyable – that may help you identify a suitable minor.