Why History Majors Have High Potential In Sales

The beautiful thing about a liberal arts degree is the versatility of it. It makes sense why some people prefer the flexibility of what it has to offer. We have heard it time and time again: DO NOT GET A LIBERAL ARTS DEGREE BECAUSE IT WILL NOT BE USEFUL! I'm here to prove to you how a history major can provide a solid foundation when it comes to transferring those skills to a sales position.

One word: Research. History students are accustomed to writing reports and citations. They gather up research to get a break down of the bigger picture. Sales people research prospects and gather as much information as possible to utilize it in their contextually relevant conversations with potential clients. Historians and sales people can analyze their research and check for patterns. This can result in higher optimization of strategy and a greater chance for success.

History students take on multiple perspectives when they explore the past. We can see how this plays out when a student feels a particular way about a part of history and is tasked with defending their opposing view. It is no surprise that many students decide to undergrad in history before heading to law school. It is this open-mindedness and adaptability that helps people sell more efficiently. Sales people who reevaluate their sales style and how they communicate with prospects and customers are more likely to gain and retain clients.

History majors are active participants in class and regularly engage in public speaking in front of the class to present. To give you an example, in one of my undergrad classes we were each assigned a role from Ancient Greece. The role assigned to me was a follower of Socrates by the name of Simon. It was my responsibility to utilize the Socratic Method (by asking the right questions) when discussion ensued in the Assembly. I helped create emotional tension during the trial of Socrates because of my role's personal connection with him. Sales people, also, need to ask the right questions when qualifying a lead, making a sales pitch, or presenting in front of a client. They uncover the financial and emotional reasons why someone is ready to buy.

A history major helps teach students how to research effectively, see things with a fresh pair of eyes, confidently speak in front of others, and ask the right questions to uncover more information. All of these characteristics are highly beneficial for someone entering the sales profession. I hope this blog post has been informative and has helped you see how they are connected. I am proud to say that I have a degree in history.