2009 Major: History
"History has always been a personal interest of mine, and that's initially what led me to the program. After my first couple classes I realized that I could be intellectually challenged and engaged while also honing an underdeveloped set of practical skills. My ability to synthesize large amounts of info and distill into a compelling narrative is due almost entirely to my time at Duke. Additionally the engaging format of my smaller seminars developed the humility necessary to challenge my own beliefs when necessary and pivot my thinking when better information becomes available. I've been surprised as I've gotten older how critical these foundational skills were in my career and how many early career professionals graduate without them."
"To have fun and try different things in the program. Between the coursework and extracurricular experiences the program offers there are a variety of ways to engage, and experimenting with these will give you a good opportunity to figure out what feels meaningful to you. I'd also encourage you not to worry about whether a history degree will limit your opportunities. I certainly had that worry at times, but I couldn't be happier with my choice and know many other history grads who feel the same. Your skillset may look different than others when you graduate, but it's no less valuable. Also, have fun with it! History professors were one of the highlights of my time at Duke."
