Best Career Options after BA in Ancient History in India

buddha giant tian tan, zen, 34 meters high

Ancient history is the aggregate of past events from the beginning of writing and recorded human history and extending as far as post-classical history. The phrase may be used either to refer to the period of time or the academic discipline.

After pursuing a BA in Ancient History, you must be scouring the internet looking for the different career options that you can pursue now.

As it turns out, you have come to the perfect place. We did all the work for you. So, here are the best career options after BA in Ancient History in India:

Archaeologist   

Right now, Archaeologist is one of the most in-demand professions in India. Students who will graduate after completing Bachelor of Arts in Ancient History are the ones who are eligible for this position.

Archaeologists work closely with local authorities, advising on the archaeological implications of museums and heritage centers. They assist in preservation, conservation, display and interpretation of artefacts. Also, they collaborate with universities and research organizations, carrying out research and educational work.

And did we mention that the growth prospects are excellent?   

The real picture is that money in this sector has been steadily increasing year-by-year. You should expect to earn somewhere between 7-8 lacs when you begin your journey in this field, but a lot depends on how good you are at your work and the company that hires you.  

Work-life balance varies by organization, but in general, weekends are considered holidays, and overtime is uncommon.  

Only a few people who are successful enough to rise to the top are offered leadership positions. In this field, a lot of soft skills are needed, and being an introvert can work against you. A high degree of self-assurance is an absolute must. If you don’t like working in groups and have poor communication skills, this may not be the best option for you. 

Curator   

Another amazing option for you if you have just graduated after completing a BA in Ancient History degree, is to become a Curator.

Good salary, great growth opportunities, opportunity to apply all that Ancient History knowledge, and some travel sprinkled here and there. What more can a BA Ancient History grad need?  

If you don’t know, Curators are responsible for assembling, cataloguing, managing, presenting, and displaying artistic and cultural collections. They are in charge of collections/exhibits in museums and art galleries. The work profile often varies with the company and your position in the organizational chain, but your major work is going to be this only.

You can expect your starting salary to be around 5-7 lacs, but this is not a hard and fast rule. If you are applying to a bigger company and are able to adequately display your skills, you can get a much higher package. And as for growth prospects, the same rule applies. If you are good at what you do, you can expect quicker promotions and more leadership opportunities.  

Work-life balance varies from company-to-company, but in general, your weekends are going to be holidays and working overtime is going to be a rarity. 

Tour Guide  

If you’re a BA Ancient History graduate, pursuing the road to becoming a Tour Guide is a fantastic choice for you. The job description is exciting, and you’ll be challenged to solve new problems every day in a creative manner. Is there anything more satisfying? No, I doubt it.  

Tour Guides are in charge of leading groups of visitors through points of historical, cultural, or regional interest. They provide in-depth intelligence about heritage sites and famous places in a city, frequented by tourists, vacationers, and students.

With time, leadership opportunities become open, and the opportunity for career advancement is enormous. However, bear in mind that this is not a desk job, so travel will be a huge aspect of your workday. So, if no-travel is a top priority or a make-or-break factor for you, this career path may not be the right fit for you.  

The pay in this field is good, with freshers being given a good starting salary (approximately 2-4 lacs). The money in this sector is growing slowly but steadily. Are you ecstatic? Start applying for Tour Guide positions now. What if it’s not your cup of tea? Continue reading for a few more suggestions to assist you in finding your dream career. 

Archivist   

Archivist is one of the most in-demand careers right now. Students who are graduating after completing Bachelor of Arts in Ancient History are the most eligible people for this job.

Archivists acquire, manage, and maintain documents and other materials of historical importance. They work for individuals, organizations, and nations. A large part of their work is related to making information accessible to users, increasingly in digital format. 

And apart from this, the growth prospects are also great. In fact, salaries have been rising a lot lately in this field. Right now, you can expect to earn anywhere around 1-2 lacs, although a lot of stuff depends on how good you are at your job and the organization that’s hiring you.

Getting hired is a bit difficult in this industry, but once you get a foot inside the door, only the sky is the limit.

The job is challenging enough that you won’t be bored and it’s not so difficult that you would be demotivated. Just the perfect middle ground, if you ask us. Salaries are usually a little slow to grow in this field. 

Genealogist   

Another great option for BA Ancient History students right now is to become a Genealogist. Demand had been steadily increasing since the early 2000s, and has skyrocketed recently. And supply has not risen in proportional way, at least not yet.

If you remember even a little-bit of high school economics, you would be jumping in joy because it means that your pay has just ballooned up.

What Genealogists actually do is this – They use a variety of public and private records, court records, immigration records, and original tax books to trace family trees and descendants. They work as consultants for their clients, and both advise and undertake lines of research.

Pretty simple, right? Well, not really. Your organization would require you to put a lot of attention in this, because even one slight mistake can cost them a lot. Work–life balance is okay, and you may need to put in a couple of hours of overtime every so often.

Starting salaries are around 4-5 lacs, but as always, a lot depends upon your individual skills, the size of the organization, as well as the location where you are working. So, don’t come at me with pitchforks if your salary does not fall in this range. Monetary growth happens very quickly in this industry. Once you have some experience behind your name, you are golden. 


So these were some of the highest-paying professions that you can go for after completing a B.A. in Ancient History. Did you like the article and found it informative? Then please share it with fellow history students so that they can make well-informed decisions about their professional life. Subscribe to our newsletter to get a weekly update about the different career options added on the website.

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