Master History Alumni Experiences

Study programme: Master Applied History 
Graduation year: 2024
Job: Research and Education Officer at Liberas

Making the past accessible

After completing my master’s degree in History at Ghent University, I was looking for a more practical way to apply all the theory I had learnt. I found this in the master Applied History. I wanted to learn how I could convey the story of the past to a wider audience in an accessible way. Historical knowledge shouldn’t be confined to the academic world. That practical application was something I felt was missing from my previous degree. What I also particularly appreciated about the Master’s in Applied History was the international group of students. This created a pleasant atmosphere during the programme, close friendships and fascinating discussions in class. The relaxed environment also made it easy to talk openly with one another, which meant that giving presentations and taking part in debates, for example, felt much less stressful.

Research and storytelling

Currently, I work as a researcher at the Belgian archive institution Liberas. There, I conduct research based on the archive collection. On the one hand, I present the results in articles for academic journals and at conferences, and on the other hand, I translate them for a broader audience through more accessible formats, such as exhibitions, documentaries, or podcasts. Additionally, I visit schools, where I introduce students to the concept of an archive in an interactive and playful way, showing them the role they can play in it.

What I enjoy most about this position is the variety it offers. I get to choose the research I want to pursue and immerse myself in it. I work on multiple projects simultaneously – some involve more traditional historical research, while others are much shorter, like the podcast I’m currently creating about the 1980s. Interacting with visitors during exhibitions or answering questions from children in the classroom gives me a real boost, and I love being able to amaze them with fascinating stories from the past. 

Valuable insights

During the master, I learned how to translate my historical knowledge to a broader audience. The strong balance between theory and practice allowed me to present my own research in an innovative way. The lessons on Oral History are still highly relevant in my current job, as well as the creative perspective I developed, the understanding of how historical facts can be tailored to different audiences, and how to seamlessly switch between those approaches.

My internship also had a major influence on my current role. That experience gave me valuable insights and practical skills that I still use today. As a Research and Education Officer, I combine historical research with public engagement, such as developing exhibitions, and the master’s programme in Applied History aligns perfectly with this work.

Gaining work experience

Employers place a lot of importance on experience. An internship or a temporary position within an organisation can therefore be incredibly valuable. Not only does this give you relevant experience, but it also helps you discover what you enjoy doing, enabling you to make a well-informed choice when looking for a job later on.

Study programme: Master Applied History 
Graduation year: 2024 
Job: Editor ‘Ik Vertrek’

A passion for history

After completing my bachelor’s degree in Criminology, I decided to change direction and pursue my favourite high school subject: history. While exploring various master programmes, I came across the (then) new Applied History programme at the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication. The ‘applied’ aspect of the master’s programme really appealed to me, particularly because I had noticed during my bachelor programme that typical academic research limited my creativity. To me, it sounded like the best of both worlds to be spending a year rediscovering my passion for history while engaging in a more creative and applied form of research. So, in the end, the decision to pursue the master in Applied History was an easy one. 

No standard assessments 

For me, the true value of the Applied History master lies in its right balance between theoretical courses that provide a strong foundation for analysing history (and its narratives) through an academic lens, and the innovative, practice-oriented forms of assessment. Throughout the entire year, I didn’t take a single standard exam. One course involved creating a short historical documentary combined with oral history, another was assessed through a unique presentation format and the writing of a policy document, while yet another course was entirely focused on conducting anthropological fieldwork and writing an academic essay. Finally, you have the option to undertake an Applied Project instead of a traditional master’s thesis. This allows you to fully unleash your creativity, and in my experience, you are incredibly well-supported in both your research and your applied project. This applied project is truly unique for a master’s programme, so make the most of it!

Working in media 

Creating stories, preferably through an audiovisual medium, is something I have always enjoyed. Before studying Applied History, this was merely a hobby, but during my master’s programme – and thanks to the various projects I undertook, including my master’s thesis – I realised that I would really like to turn this into my career. Soon I came to the conclusion that, after graduating, the best thing to do would be to start at the bottom of the ladder as an intern at a media company or production house, so I kept a close eye on the Mediastages job page every day. I sent out lots of applications, but they always preferred someone who better matched the profile, until I was lucky enough to be invited for an interview at ‘Ik Vertrek’ and I could explain more about my studies and my unconventional background. Then I was hired there and worked as an intern for six months. Because my managers were satisfied with my work, I was given the opportunity to move on to a role as a junior editor for the BNNVARA programme ‘Je Zal Het Maar Hebben’. After that season had finished, a position became available at ‘Ik Vertrek’ and I was able to start there again, but this time as an editor.

Delving into stories 

As an editor for ‘Ik Vertrek’, I focus on the content of the programme. I stay in contact with all our candidates, keep track of what’s happening, and inform my colleagues when it would be interesting to visit them for filming (we typically make three separate trips to candidates: the beginning, the most pivotal moment, and the celebratory conclusion). I do not travel abroad myself, and the director often isn’t familiar with the finer details of the story. To ensure the director knows what to film, I write a script outlining the key storylines and corresponding questions they can ask. Simply put: I prepare the outline of a colouring page and provide the director with suggestions so they can fill it in, ensuring the story is captured in its entirety for TV.

In my work, I am constantly analysing candidates’ stories and structuring them into clear narratives. This way of thinking – recognising patterns, placing events within a broader context, and building a cohesive narrative – is something I developed extensively during the Applied History programme.

Tips for a successful start on the job market

It is a bit challenging to land a job as a recent graduate. What personally helped me was not only sending out open applications, but also asking if companies would be willing to meet for coffee – even if they didn’t have any vacancies. This way, you make yourself visible and show that you are proactive. You’ll always leave an impression on someone!

Finally, I would like to share a tip: emphasise that while you may have an academic background, this specific programme equips you to apply theory in practical ways through visuals, exhibitions, podcasts, journalism, and more. The name Applied History can sometimes raise questions, so take the time to explain it thoroughly and highlight its added value. By emphasising the applied aspect of my education, I ultimately landed a job where, on paper, my academic background might have been seen as a disadvantage compared to more practically trained colleagues. But it worked out, so it’s definitely possible!

Study programme: Master Global History and International Relations
Graduation Year: 2024
Current job: Resilience Advisor at the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations

History as a lens on contemporary issues

After my bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, I deliberately chose the Master’s in Global History and International Relations because I felt the need for more historical depth. This programme at the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication offered exactly the context I was missing: a historical lens on international relations, global developments, and the ways societies influence one another. For me, this was the ideal complement to my background in public administration. It connected my interest in policy and contemporary (inter)national issues with a sharper, transhistorical and long-term perspective. This combination not only provided a richer understanding of the world, but also a strong substantive foundation at the start of my professional career.

Working on a resilient society

In my role as a Resilience Advisor, I work on a broad range of issues related to the security and stability of our society. Although I fall under the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, my work is inherently interdepartmental: I collaborate daily with other ministries, executive agencies, and vital private-sector partners. This diversity is what makes the role so interesting.

An important part of my job involves advising senior civil servants on cases that span the entire national government. To do this, I analyse trends and developments in (inter)national security and our democratic constitutional order. I also work on policy documents and develop scenarios to formulate strategic advice. The combination of analysis, advising, and collaboration with a wide range of partners makes the work dynamic and meaningful.

From theory to practice: applying a historical perspective

In my current role, I regularly apply what I learned during my master’s: placing contemporary developments in a broader historical and international context. During my studies, I learned not only to look at events in isolation, but also to focus on long-term patterns: how power relations emerge, how states and societies interact, and how historical patterns continue to shape today’s geopolitical reality.

I use this way of thinking every day. Many of the issues I deal with as a Resilience Advisor – from international tensions to digital threats and the position of the democratic rule of law – cannot be understood without considering historical developments and international dynamics. Thanks to this background, I can better interpret trends, assess risks more sharply, and identify connections that are not always immediately visible.

Career reflection and advice

Show that historical knowledge is not just about the past, but an analytical tool for understanding the present. Employers are looking for people who can interpret complex developments, make connections, and look beyond the issues of the day. That is exactly what you learn as a historian. Therefore, emphasise not only what you studied, but especially how you think. Recognising patterns, analysing critically, and placing events in context are skills that are invaluable in almost any policy, research, or advisory role.

Study programme: Bachelor History en Master Applied History 
Graduation year: 2024 & 2025
Job: Junior Project Manager Water at Province of Zeeland

Applying historical insights

After completing my bachelor's degree in History, I continued my studies at Erasmus University by pursuing the master's programme in Applied History. I chose this master’s specialisation specifically because it focuses on applying historical methods and insights to the contemporary context. The strength of Applied History lies in the fact that you learn to apply historical insights directly to the here and now, whilst keeping the long term in mind. The programme offers a great deal of flexibility to specialise in a sector that resonates with you. For me, that was policy and climate issues. In my current role, this background has been incredibly helpful in understanding complex policy documents, extracting key points, and translating them into practical solutions.

Besides hard skills like policy analysis and conducting interviews with diverse stakeholders, the programme also equipped me with other valuable tools. For instance, learning to code and working with digital quantitative tools has proven surprisingly useful. In this digital age, these skills provide me with the ability to process datasets effectively and visualise them in tables and graphs. The ability to see things from different perspectives, which is essential in history, is also crucial for reaching well-supported solutions in my current work.

Reflection

With great fondness I look back on my time at Erasmus University (EUR). My internship at the Roosevelt Institute for American Studies stands out in particular. This was the first place where I truly put my theoretical knowledge into practice, and where I discovered what it means to apply my skills in an international, dynamic environment. For instance, I helped develop a research methodology on the representation of climate change (1975–2000), acted as co-moderator at an international policy workshop, and assisted in organising a conference on the role of water in history.

From history to policy

Currently, I work at the Province of Zeeland as a Junior Project Manager Water (for the Veerse Meer Regional Partnership) and as a Trainee Water Talent. In this role, I am involved in projects in the Veerse Meer area, focusing on topics such as water quality, freshwater availability, and reuse. I collaborate with ecological experts, entrepreneurs, interest groups, government bodies and local residents to develop joint solutions. What I enjoy most about this is working at the intersection of policy and implementation. I am now learning how theory (from history to policy) translates into practice and what ‘stakeholder engagement’ truly means in implementation.

Added value

For current history students who are about to enter the job market, my advice is: start early and do not get discouraged! Be open to job opportunities that may not immediately seem connected to "history." Our added value lies in our way of thinking – in our ability to translate long-term processes into the present. That is a unique asset for any organisation.

Not a dry subject

Let me dispel a common misconception about studying history: the idea that it’s a dusty, academic field that only prepares you to become a history teacher. History at EUR is actually a modern and versatile programme. It is not just about what happened in the past, but about how we view the past and what that means for the world today. Whether you are interested in the television industry, the museum sector, or the world of policy; a degree in history opens up all kinds of opportunities, precisely because it touches on so many aspects of life.

Study programme: Master Global History and International Relations 
Graduation year: 2024
Job: Policy Advisor at Dutch Whistleblowers Authority 

Sweet memories

One of my favorite memories of the master programme Global History and International Relations is the Thesis Conference. This is a special day when everyone from the study programme presents their Master's thesis. Apart from presenting my own thesis, I found it incredibly interesting to hear what kind of topics other students had chosen for their research. I also cherish many fond memories of the discussions held in class; especially when we delved into contemporary conflicts such as in Ukraine and Gaza. This is where it became really clear how to apply the theory of this master’s programme in practice.

Contributing to integrity

After my studies, I landed a job as Policy Advisor in the Knowledge & Prevention department of the Dutch Whistleblowers Authority (Huis voor Klokkenluiders). We provide advice and support to persons who want to report a possible wrongdoing within the context of their work-related activities, and we conduct investigations into wrongdoings within organisations. We also provide know-how for governments, semi-public institutions and corporations on how to improve their internal integrity policy. 

My role primarily involves researching how organisations can improve their integrity system, as well as giving presentations to organisations on integrity management. So, you can definitely say that the research skills and presentation skills I gained during my master's programme come in handy at work! 

Advice to prospective students

Do not worry if you have not completed a bachelor’s degree in history! I myself, for example, studied the bachelor Management of International Social Challenges. Because I was interested in contemporary conflicts and the history behind them in my spare time, I decided to apply for the master programme Global History and International Relations: a decision I am truly happy with. The master programme is at a high level, the professors are experts, as a student you learn an awful lot, and the study offers you many opportunities to kickstart your career!  

• Education: History (BA); History of Society (MA)
• Graduated in: 2015
• Current job: Policy Officer at Ministry of Foreign Affairs

"The master programme Global History and International Relations seemed like a good start for my career after pursuing my bachelor in History. At the time, I did not know which way I wanted to go. During my masters I did an internship at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After that, I decided to focus on the training for starting policy offers at the Ministry – ‘diplomatenklasje’ is the popular term for it in the Netherlands."

Career

"Two months after my graduation I got a temporary job as data analyst at the Authority for Consumers & Markets. This was not related to my studies, but connected with prior work experience. After that job I did a traineeship at the European Commission, which resulted in another temporary job. In the meantime I did language courses and deepening programmes abroad on my own initiative. Subsequently, I started one and a half year after my graduation with the ‘diplomatenklasje’."

Historical basis

"Currently I work as a country desk for Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Vatican at the Europe Department. I will stay in this position for two years in total. After that, I will be placed as a diplomat in a posting abroad. My studies in history, and especially my masters, are a solid basis for my current job. Being in a position where you have to deal with recent and urgent international developments, it is very important to understand the – historical – backgrounds. Because of my educational background, I automatically take a long-term perspective when looking at emerging developments. This is an important quality in a world where the issues of the day sometimes get the upper hand."

• Education: Journalism (BA); American Studies (BA); History (MA)
• Graduated in: 2014
• Current job: Information Specialist at Rotterdamsch Leeskabinet

“After studying Journalism I wanted to deepen my knowledge. That is how I ended up at the bachelor American Studies at the University of Amsterdam. There I discovered that I found history on a meta-level really interesting. My choice for the master History was therefore purely based on the subjects that were taught. I always based my study choices on my own interests, but I thought the combination of Journalism and History would come in handy in the future.”

Lots of opportunities

“The master was interesting and challenging. The lecturers were really good and challenged you to work hard. There were a lot of opportunities for doing elective courses, internships and thesis subjects. It’s also possible to write your thesis for an interesting organization or archive. During the master, I developed a lot of skills that are beneficial at every job: thinking analytically and being critical on your own work so you keep improving it. We had to read a lot during the study and were challenged to think about that literature all the time.”

Well prepared

“During my master I worked for the bookshop Donner. When I graduated I got asked to work as a Student Assistant by supervising a Summer School from the University of California Berkeley and travelled with a group of American students through the Benelux for five weeks. Currently, I am working as an Information Specialist at Rotterdamsch Leeskabinet, that works together closely with the University Library of Erasmus University. The Leeskabinet is a library with a specialization in the humanities. That I studied the master History is definitely an advantage: I know all the subjects that matter. That comes in handy because I have to keep the collection up to date. I know which books are interesting for students. Besides that I am responsible for all communication of the Leeskabinet. As a history student I had to write a lot, which was a good preparation. “