History ‘opens career options’

Tourism, diplomacy and technology are among the career avenues open to people who turn a passion for history into a college degree, students are being advised.

An understanding of centuries-old traditions in the Middle East, for example, could be key to resolving Syria’s civil war, whose effects are now seen across Europe.

So says Malgorzata D’Aughton, a lecturer in University College Cork’s School of History which hosts a one-day event tomorrow to highlight careers for history graduates. As well as third-level students, second-level classes are invited to hear speakers oultine their work and future jobs in areas like geneaology, heritage, education, business, digitisation and diplomacy.

As a medieval historian, Ms D’Aughton has helped develop the monastic.ie site that describes the history and background of monastic houses up to 1,000 years old.

“When tourists follow the Wild Atlantic Way, they not only experience the beautiful Irish landscape, but they can go online to see the historical significance of these sites. So history is being put into the centre of the tourism economy,” she said.

The project is typical of the rising number of online resources that merge history and new technology, a mix promoted in the new digital humanities discipline being taught at UCC and elsewhere.

“There is a focus on the importance of history in current centenary commemorations in Ireland, and our speakers will also talk about how views can change depending on particular circumstances,” Ms D’Aughton said.

“Even if you don’t end up doing any more with it educationally, history teaches skills of analysis and critical thinking you can use in a wide range of jobs,” she said.

• More details at www.ucc.ie/history/news