Can you give me a job describtion of a historian?

[Brandon Thompson]

If you could either tell me or list websites about becoming a historian. Please include as much information as possible.
THANX

[David]

Job description - Clinging on to the past

[Freefromdrama]

A professional historian is someone who has had formal training in history at the college or graduate school level. According to Careers for Students of History, historians are qualified to hold a variety of positions, particularly those jobs in which research, writing and critical thinking skills are important. Job descriptions can vary widely, depending on the position

Education
Many historians work in education, ranging from the elementary, junior high and high school levels, and many are college and university professors.

Museums
Historians can serve as curators, exhibition consultants and informal educators in museums, historical societies or historic homes. Projects may include planning public programs, creating furnishing plans or researching exhibition content.

Libraries
Coupled with an advanced degree in library science, historians are qualified to work in libraries and archives, answering research requests and compiling information for patrons.

Writing
Writing and publishing careers are also ideal for historians. Although some historians write books while employed at a college or university, some are able to become full-time authors, writers or editors.

Corporate Jobs
Many companies employ historians to maintain corporate archives and record the company's history. Historians can also serve in public relations and marketing departments writing press releases and articles promoting the company.

Definition and Nature of the Work
Historians study events, ideas, institutions, and individuals of the past. They may research and interpret events that occurred in the earliest periods of recorded time or ones that people can remember. Unlike archaeologists, who work chiefly with physical objects, historians rely mostly on written records for evidence to support their claims. However, historians sometimes use physical objects, such as photographs, costumes, and tools, to shed light on past lifestyles. Historians often try to relate knowledge of the past to present-day situations or problems.

History is a very broad field, and historians usually specialize in a particular time period, country, or region. For example, a historian may specialize in U.S. history with a more specific focus on the Great Depression. Another historian may focus on medieval history and concentrate on the German-speaking areas of Europe. Historians also specialize in certain kinds of history, such as the history of ideas, the history of immigration, the history of women, or the history of science. Sometimes historians specialize in a particular field, such as economic, social, or political history. Although historians are encouraged to specialize, they also need general knowledge to relate their findings to the broad patterns of change and continuity traced throughout the past.

About 70 percent of all historians are employed by colleges and universities. Although some have administrative duties, they generally teach, write, and do research. Some historians, known as archivists, collect historical documents and other objects for museums, special libraries, historical societies, and other organizations. Archivists prepare exhibits and organize historical materials for people who do historical research. Archivists work in places called archives where records, historic documents, and other materials are collected and preserved. Some historians working for government agencies or historical societies are involved in the preservation of historic buildings. Other historians work for publishing firms where they edit history textbooks, magazines, and other materials. Some historians serve as consultants for radio, television, and film producers,