History, one of the oldest branches of science, is also seen as an inseparable part of social memory. Experts state that historians and the science of history will always be needed, and that education in the history department offers an enjoyable learning process rather than a tiring one for enthusiasts. Experts point out that the employment scale for History department graduates is very wide, emphasizing that in addition to professions like teaching and academia, they can also pursue government roles such as diplomacy and district governorship.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Head of the Department of History, Dr. Lecturer Uygar Aydemir, evaluated the History department and its employment advantages for prospective students.
Historical consciousness is part of social memory
Dr. Lecturer Uygar Aydemir stated that history is one of the oldest branches of science and said, “The most important feature that distinguishes humans from other living beings is their level of consciousness. It would not be an exaggeration to say that humans are unique in their self-awareness and ability to reflect on themselves. If we are talking about a single person, we would need to talk about that person's memory and recollections. However, when we start talking about society, historical knowledge, consciousness, and interpretation, which are an inseparable part of social memory, come into play. In this respect, historical knowledge and consciousness are extremely important for individuals and society to recognize themselves, ponder their identity, and prepare for the future.”
History can be learned by listening or reading
Aydemir emphasized that history, in all its aspects, can always be learned either by listening or reading. He stated, “Unlike some other branches of science, history seems to have no aspect that one can learn solely through one's own life experiences. In this respect, we can say that accurate historical knowledge is also an essential type of information for the health of society. History departments, therefore, fulfill a very important function in making sense of learned historical information.”
Historians and the science of history will always be needed
Dr. Lecturer Uygar Aydemir stated that History is seen as a branch of science that will never lose its relevance, as it is a field frequently consulted by many branches of science such as economics and sociology, as well as many disciplines like law and art, and continued:
“In this respect, historians and the science of history will always be needed. Furthermore, in accordance with the saying, ‘If you choose a job you love, you will never work a day in your life,’ history enthusiasts have the chance to live their hobbies as a profession, even if they get physically tired from their work. Similarly, education in the history department offers an enjoyable learning process rather than a tiring one for history enthusiasts. The fundamental task that history students engage with throughout their education is how to acquire knowledge, how to distinguish correct information from distorted information, and finally, how to correctly understand information. These are the daily pursuits of historians and among the abilities they gain during their education in the history department.”
The History department offers wide employment opportunities
Aydemir pointed out that the employment scale for History department graduates is very wide, stating, “History teaching, one of the first professions that comes to mind when thinking about the History department, continues to be among the professions considered by those studying History. It becomes possible for students to become History teachers by receiving pedagogical formation. In addition to teaching, the primary professional field of the History department is, of course, historiography. Historiography is a profession with various employment opportunities in Turkey and worldwide. Historians can work in various roles in institutions such as libraries, the Manuscript Works Institution, State Archives, and museums, as well as private research organizations.”
Academia is one of the top career choices
Dr. Lecturer Uygar Aydemir stated that for students who love history, academia is always one of the top career choices, offering broader opportunities for historical research. Aydemir added, “Furthermore, for those with innovative abilities and high media interest, there are always opportunities for advancement in areas such as consulting and scriptwriting in the social media, documentary, cinema, TV series, and television sectors. As another example, it is worth reminding that the doors of various state institutions are open to historians for expert and career civil service positions. For instance, professions like diplomacy in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, district governorship in the Ministry of Interior, etc., can also be pursued by historians.”