Year: Junior 
Major: History and Management
Hometown: Nazareth, PA

Question 1:  Why did you choose History as your major?
I chose History due to my deep passion that I have for this field. Ever since I was younger, my favorite thing to do was to dive in and learn more about every aspect of the subject. History can teach people so much more, not just about the past, but the present as well. I strive to learn more about the people who lived before us and how their experiences have shaped the world around us.

Question 2:  What are your research interests?
I have a wide variety of research interests. My favorite area would have to be the political dynamics surrounding WWI and WWII. Another subject that I have an interest in would be the 30 Years War and the political absolutism that followed. Even though these are some of my favorite research interests, there is no limit into the number of topics that fascinate me.

Question 3:  What have you done outside of the classroom to enhance your education?
Outside of the classroom, I try to learn as much as I possibly can about different historical topics. I do this in a number of ways including reading, watching documentaries, and watching YouTube channels run by prominent Historians to help me enhance my education. I also enjoy volunteering. Back in my hometown, I have volunteered at my local historical society which has greatly added to my appreciation of History. 

Question 4:  What do you hope to do after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to work for the public sector (government, a museum, or a local historical society) or continue my education to obtain my PhD in History.  Either path will be built from the foundation of my passion for History and its practical applications.

Year: Senior
Major: History
Hometown: Green Lane, PA

Question 1:  Why did you choose History as your major?
When I first came to Bloomsburg I started out as Political Science major but realized that history was what I really wanted to study. And I am so glad I did! Ever since elementary school, history was my favorite subject. I always loved hearing about how people in the past lived and how it connects to the present. Majoring in History has given me many opportunities to continue to do this. 

Question 2:  What are your research interests?
My research interests have changed a lot over the years. While studying at Bloomsburg, I focused my interests and research on art history especially concentrating on Claude Monet. A lot of my interests have been directed at European history. However, the History Department has given me many opportunities to expand my interests to different parts of the world that I have not been able to study in the past.

Question 3:  What have you done outside of the classroom to enhance your education?
Outside of the classroom, like a lot of other history majors, I like to read to enhance my education. I also like to visit museums especially while I am traveling. Where I grew up was a perfect place to explore both local and national history through touring museums and historical sites.

Question 4:  What do you hope to do after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to enter the world of public history and work at a museum. Currently, I am interning at the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum by helping to plan and organize programs for the kids. I hope to be able to use this experience to aid me in the time after graduation. I hope to one day share the joy of learning, history, and discovery with others.

Year: Senior
Major: History
Hometown: McEwensville, PA

Question 1:  Why did you choose History as your major?
History is something I remember interesting me at a young age. I remember getting absorbed into it when we started talking about ancient civilizations in middle school. History is something I can throw myself into and not get bored, both inside and outside the classroom. Studying history is just something that feels natural to me, so it made sense pursue a degree in History.

Question 2:  What are your research interests?
While I absolutely love ancient history, as previously stated, medieval European history and broadly Japanese history are where my research interests lie. The broad timeframe of medieval Europe and how varied it is depending on the time and place has fascinated me. Japanese history, in particular Japan modernizing, going from feudal to industrial has been of interest as well.

Question 3:  What have you done outside of the classroom to enhance your education?
Outside of the classroom I usually watch documentaries, watch historical dramas, or do some research on a topic that interests me for fun. Gladiator and The Last Kingdom are some recommendations for historical dramas. I enjoy learning about other countries and regions and the history that is linked to them.

Question 4:  What do you hope to do after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to pursue a career at a national park or as a historical guide of some kind. I may pursue a master’s degree or doctorate at some point as well. I would also like to travel and experience some of the world.

Year: Senior
Major: History, Secondary Ed
Hometown: Wind Gap, PA

Question 1:  Why did you choose History as your major?
History has always been my favorite subject growing up so selecting History was an easy choice. Going into the education field allowed me to continue learning about History, while also perusing my desired career path. 

Question 2:  What are your research interests?
The election of 1800 intrigues me. I have enjoyed researching the methods in which the newspapers portrayed different political parties to push their agendas, and how different press companies were used to influence people into voting and acting in a certain way. It can be translated into today’s election processes, only in different media forms. Many concepts are in parallel.

Question 3:  What have you done outside of the classroom to enhance your education?
Outside the classroom I enjoy touring historical sites and reading historical accounts to further enhance my knowledge base.  I am also a high school football coach which has helped develop my leadership skills and the ability to effectively connect with students.

Question 4:  What do you hope to do after graduation?
Upon December graduation my hope is to obtain a full-time teaching position in the high school setting and continue to coach football.

Year: Junior
Major: History, Secondary Ed
Hometown: Hazleton, PA

Question 1:  Why did you choose History as your major?
I chose History as a major to compliment my secondary education major. I always loved school and fell in love with Social Studies. I became interested in our country’s history and the way our government works. I loved learning History as a student in high school, and I am excited to teach it in the future. I want to share not only my love of learning, but also my love of history with my future students.

Question 2:  What are your research interests?
Many different research topics interest me. My classes always inspire me to dive deeper into historical topics. From a young age, I have been fascinated by World War II and the Holocaust. As I take more classes, I am becoming increasingly more interested in the Pacific Theater of WWII and Vietnam. Specifically, I am very interested in women journalists’ experiences in Vietnam.

Question 3:  What have you done outside of the classroom to enhance your education?
Outside of the classroom I enjoy reading lots of historical books, whether it be fiction or non-fiction. Some of my favorite titles include Night, All the Light We Cannot See, Milkweed, The Things They Carried, The Sorrow of War, and Silence. Besides reading, I also enjoy watching history-based dramas and documentaries. Reading and watching has increased my knowledge and interest drastically.

Question 4:  What do you hope to do after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to work in a school district in or near my hometown. I would love to be a high school history or government teacher at the school I graduated from. I also plan to continue my historical research and work towards a master’s degree. In the far future I would love to work as a principal.

Previous spotlights may be viewed on our university's Tumblr account.

Internships in the Department of History (42.497) 

History's Internship Coordinator -   Dr. Nancy Gentile Ford
nford@bloomu.edu          
Arts & Administration Building, Second Floor, Room 286

The Department of History is committed to our internship program and encourages both history majors and history/secondary education majors to gain real life experience through these opportunities.  The process of searching for and identifying an appropriate internship constitutes a job search experience that can be quite valuable, and the internship experience can help students prepare for and secure potential careers.  

RECENT INTERNSHIPS

See Database for Specific Details (Re: Internship Title, Contact Information, and Job Description). Please see Dr. Ford before applying for internships.