Name: Ariana Benedict
Hometown: El Paso, TX
Graduation Year: 2024
Major(s): History
Minor(s): Anthropology and Italian
Out of all the majors available at Texas A&M University, why did you choose to major in History?
I chose to major in History because it has always captured me. I grew up watching historical dramas and documentaries with my family. While in high school this interest evolved into fascination. I had an amazing history teacher, Mrs. Amy Holzman, who taught me more than dates and names. Instead, Mrs. Holzman taught me how to analyze and extract meaning from the past. This experience drove me to apply to Texas A&M because it has one of the top history programs in the state.
The History Department has a university-wide reputation for excellent teaching, could you share with us one course that has been particularly influential to you? What did you love about this class?
My experience in HIST 481: War and Memory, a course taught by Dr. Jonathan Brunstedt, was particularly influential to me. This class allowed me to explore the relationship between collective memory and historical analysis. Throughout the course we learned that how an event is remembered is as important as what happened. To me, learning about this method of analysis was new and exciting. HIST 481 is a writing intensive course that turns students into historians by teaching us how to explore the past on our own terms. My paper topic centered on the Italian, left-wing terrorist group, the Red Brigades. It was in this class that I realized that I wanted to pursue studying this topic for my graduate research in the 3+2 program.
You are a student in the 3 + 2 program— a degree option in the History Department that combines a History BA/BS and History MA. What attracted you to this program and what have you gained from being a 3 + 2 student? (if you could note your thesis/independent research focus in this answer, that would be great)
I heard about 3 + 2 programs at Texas A&M when I was a freshman and was disappointed to find that the History Department did not have one at the time. However, during my junior year, the History Department announced a new 3+2 option, and I thought it would be a great opportunity! I am very glad I applied and decided to enter the 3 +2 program.
The program is a great steppingstone for those pursuing higher education without having to travel to a different city to do so or take on the full expense of graduate school. I can keep in contact with my undergraduate professors, from Italian language to History, and get their advice on my research. In fact, it is my HIST 481 instructor who is now my graduate adviser. The 3 +2 program has allowed me to continue to foster relationships with professors I previously had and begin to understand the world of academia.
What career do you hope to pursue and how is your history major preparing you for your professional future?
I plan to pursue a career in marketing. I want to establish a business where I can help historians market themselves and research such as website building, branding, and social media. Likewise, I can envision myself taking on such a role inside of a museum, historical institution, or university. Being a history major has helped me develop skills such as writing, public speaking, communicating with others, and seeing things from various perspectives. These are key skills for my professional future. My degree is a stepstone to my professional career in marketing and I would not have gone down this avenue if not for studying history.
Do you have any advice for future History majors?
My advice for future History majors is to always have confidence in what you do. It is easy to get discouraged when you get critiques on writing or if you can’t find the perfect source for a paper. Studying history helps you grow as a person because it is challenging. If you love what you do, you’ll thrive. Trust me.