As the History department sought to explicitly integrate more career preparation into their methods classes, Dr. Sarah Mulhall Adelman wove career exploration and reflection throughout The Historian’s Craft as a conscious, intentional thread. With financial support from the SUCCESS grant awarded by the Healey-Driscoll administration, and building on earlier professional development opportunities from the Mancuso Humanities Workforce Preparation Center, Dr. Mulhall Adelman designed an academic experience that both brought professionals into the classroom and sent her students out into the world to better understand the many applications of their studies in History. Dr. Mulhall Adelman invited two alumni to speak with the class about their current roles, experiences at FSU, and how their History major prepared them for their careers. Her students also had the opportunity to speak with an academic historian who came to campus as part of Arts & Ideas.

Dr. Mulhall Adelman’s students had the opportunity to see history in action through two field trips. The class visited the Framingham History Center, where students were able to see the parallels between museum exhibits and their coursework, and the JFK National Historic Site, where the park rangers presented on their paths to public history and park service work, including the details of starting out through summer programs and specific job boards.

To make students’ career development explicit, Dr. Mulhall Adelman incorporated conversations about the NACE career competencies and how these competencies are desirable to employers in a wide range of career fields. Additionally, students learned to articulate their skills through journal reflections and a mock cover letter, where students identified how their work as history students has prepared them to excel in their future careers.

Dr. Mulhall Adelman’s advice to colleagues is to make explicit what is built into your classes already – many faculty are already designing for students’ future success. Give your students a chance to reflect and articulate the connections between their academic work and possible careers. Additionally, she considers FSU alumni to be an invaluable resource, as the same advice can often be more impactful coming from someone who has recently sat in the same seats the students now occupy.