{"id":3369,"date":"2025-04-28T13:45:57","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T17:45:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/history\/?p=3369"},"modified":"2025-04-28T13:48:37","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T17:48:37","slug":"reflections-from-a-history-major","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/history\/2025\/04\/28\/reflections-from-a-history-major\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflections from a History Major"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Recent History graduate Jeneva “Vio” Midgett offers their thoughts on what it’s meant to be part of the UTC History program, what they’ve learned, and how they’re prepared for the future.<\/h3>\n\n\n
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I came to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) already committed to a History major. From a young age I was fascinated with how history textbooks framed historical events, justifying past actions and ignoring marginalized groups. However, I was unprepared for how supportive the UTC History faculty would be and how many opportunities would be offered through the department on campus. I truly would not be where I am today without History faculty mentors and the opportunities offered at UTC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


The amazing impact of the UTC History Department began before I even attended UTC. As a senior in high school, the History Department Head, Dr. Michael Thompson, met with me. He patiently answered all my questions about the department and gave me a personal tour of the history building. UTC was the last college I toured. I had asked the same questions to multiple history departments, but Dr. Thompson was the most genuine, patient, and kind. His actions, and my acceptance into the UTC Honors College, were the final factors in my decision to attend UTC.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Continuing into my freshman year I became the mentee of Dr. Fang Yu Hu. From that moment onward, she emailed me about opportunities and campus events, challenging me to make the most of my college experience. It was through Dr. Hu’s encouragement that I first applied to the History Departmental scholarship, which allowed me to quit my second job, pay for my college textbooks, and focus more on my studies. Further, Dr. Hu encouraged me to apply to History Departmental internships, an opportunity I did not know existed and would not have accessed without her guidance. Through those programs, I received a History internship with UTC Special Collections, providing me with my first archival work experience, and I was officially hired after the internship’s completion. A singular internship through the History Department led to a stable position within my field, which has opened many other opportunities for my future career.<\/p>\n\n\n

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At every turn the History faculty at UTC have supported students, with my experience being one of many. My advice to any current or potential UTC students is to make the most of your experience and never be afraid to reach out to a professor or mentor. You never know what advice they might have or what opportunities they might know about. I have met with almost every single History faculty member, whether it be about one of their classes, asking advice on applying to graduate programs, requesting help for difficult research projects, or receiving feedback on my honors thesis. Without their consistent patience and guidance, I would not be where I am today. I am eternally grateful for all the opportunities and support I received within the History Department. The work experience I have gained and the connections I have made throughout my degree have guarantee my future career in archival studies; however, the opportunities within the History Department can benefit a variety of future career paths. You can do this too, just have the courage to apply and reach out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jeneva “Vio” Midgett recently graduated with a degree in History from UTC. They took some time to reflect on their journey through the History Department, what they’ve learned, what will stay with them, and what’s next. <\/p>\n

Continue Reading <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2029,"featured_media":3371,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13,15,12],"tags":[35588,35701,35700,35702],"class_list":{"0":"post-3369","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-department-news","8":"category-history-news","9":"category-student-news","10":"tag-student-news","11":"tag-what-history-teaches-you","12":"tag-what-you-can-do-with-a-history-degree","13":"tag-why-history-matters","14":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\nReflections from a History Major - History Archive: Jul 2007 - Oct 2025<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A recent UTC History graduate reflects on their journey through the major, their relationships with faculty, and everything else that's been important to them during their time as a History student.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/history\/2025\/04\/28\/reflections-from-a-history-major\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Reflections from a History Major - 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