Brian S. Clise, B.A. 1994

1994 Major: History and Mechanical Engineering

How has being a History graduate from Duke helped shape you personally and/or professionally?

"As a liberal arts major, my history major taught me how to think. That is, it taught me how to collect a larger body of information on a topic, and distill that information to formulate and support an arguable thesis. In contrast, professional degrees teach knowledge. True, law teaches you how to think as well - but to think like a lawyer, which largely means to issue spot based on what you have been taught are issues, and how to resolve issues with what you have been taught (either legal rules or how to research the law)."

What advice would you give students in Duke's History programs? 

"While it is really hard to have a career in history, a history degree will teach you how to critically think in a wide variety of professional pursuits at least as well as most other degrees. A history major - if that is one's interest - pursued with vigor will bring plenty rewards both personally and professionally."