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Internships and Careers

Academics / Majors and Minors / History / Internships and Careers

At Lake Forest, both quality academic programs and internship experiences help students prepare for the working world. Our proximity to Chicago offers access not only to extensive internship options, but also to a network of powerful alumni and friends.

Internships

Students who study history are capable of doing a wide variety of internships because they have skills that apply to nearly every industry. History students are able to conduct research, analyze evidence, and write and present clear arguments. From fashion merchandising to environmental law, a rich supply of internship opportunities in and around Chicago is available to our students, allowing them to develop practical experiences and explore a variety of career paths.

Types of internship settings include:


Archives/History

  • Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society*
  • City of Lake Forest Archives
  • Field Museum of Natural History
  • Chicago History Museum

Government/Political

  • US Senators: programming and constituent services
  • US Representatives: legislative aide and constituent services
  • City of Chicago Department of Buildings
  • Cook County Juvenile Probation Office
  • Equality Illinois
  • Campaign for Better Health

Law

  • Civil Rights Center, Police Misconduct Research
  • Jed Stone and Associates, Criminal Defense
  • Prairie State Legal Services, Legal Aid

Arts/Music

  • Art Institute of Chicago Member Travel
  • Evanston Art Center
  • Leslie Hindman Auctioneers
    • Lake Forest Symphony
    • Activator Music Academy

Nonprofits and Foundations

  • Shedd Aquarium
  • Boys and Girls Club
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Urban League of Chicago
  • Urban Libraries Council 

*The College has an exclusive paid internship opportunity for History students at the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society. The local society arranged for this experience starting in the spring of 2014. The internship is named in memory of Leslie T. Chapman ’79, former Vice President and Treasurer of the College, and former Treasurer of the Historical Society.

Read more internship testimonials »

For more information, visit the  Career Advancement Center.

Careers

Breaking news! History majors do not always become historians! Our history grads go on to do great things in all sorts of fields, guided by their personal interests, the advice of our involved faculty, and the help of our Career Advancement Center. From warfare information officers and global compliance specialists to bibliographers and architects, our graduates find great jobs around the world.

Lake Forest College facilitates five career communities called Career Pathways to help students explore major/career options and position themselves for the internships that will help them to further prepare for productive and rewarding careers after graduation. Students from all majors can participate in the Career Pathways to shape their career goals alongside of their academic interests.

To get an idea for which pathways students might join based upon some common history interests, check these out:
  • Teacher – Law and Public Service
  • Arts Administrator – Creative Arts
  • Lawyer – Law and Public Service
  • Social Worker – Law and Public Service
  • Wealth Manager/Financial Consultant – Business and Finance
  • Advocate – Law and Public Service
  • Physician – Science and Health Care
  • Legislative Aide – Law and Public Service

Students are able to pursue such a wide variety of careers and internships, because our faculty work with the department’s internship supervisor/career advisor to advise students on the best internships for their interests. History students who choose to do internships participate in them in addition to their required major courses to ensure a strong basis of study in the major.

Our history students are particularly well-prepared to understand how concepts learned in courses can be applied in a wider range of settings than you might imagine, because students have so much flexibility - the major requires just nine core courses, which students can complement with internships and additional areas of study.

Explore the Career Pathways by participating in events, reading profiles of students’ and alumni experiences, and by joining a pathway (or two). Remember to look at the next steps pages to get ideas for immediate ways to prepare yourself for great internships and a productive, rewarding career after graduation. 

Read more career testimonials »

Graduate School

Our students often pursue advanced training in history, attending graduate schools for their master’s degree or PhD. Still others go to law school or pursue advanced training in librarianship or other fields. 

Recent Graduate Programs in History

  • Tufts University
  • University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
  • University of Chicago
  • University of California, Santa Barbara
  • University of Illinois at Chicago

History

Contact Information

Career Advisor and Internship Supervisor

Jen Lazarus
847-735-5235
lazarus@lakeforest.edu

Schedule an appointment using Handshake.

Career Advancement Center
256 Brown Hall, Middle Campus
847-735-5235
careers@lakeforest.edu

Hours

Monday–Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Career Pathways

History majors tend to find their fit in the Law and Public Service Career Pathway. However, they can find a home in any pathway, as history students have skills that can apply to nearly any industry.

Trading screen at board of trade Business, Finance, and Data Science
tops of flags on pole Law and Public Service
orange and red colors on a canvas Creative Arts and Communication
molecules model Science and Health Care
Build Your Own
people mingling Career Pathways