History at Graduate Level: Student Profile

Thinking of studying history at graduate level? We profile a student studying the subject to give you a firsthand account of what it is really like.

Manuel A. Bautista González’s interest in economic history – particularly the relationship between his native Mexico and the United States – can be traced back to the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1993. This curiosity stayed with him, and while studying a bachelor’s degree in economics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, he began to give serious thought as to how best to understand the differences in economic development that exist between the two neighbouring nations.

He decided then that a historical approach to the question would be more suitable than an economic one, believing that “history provides a better way to tackle the changing and complex reality of human societies”. The change in disciplines was also motivated by a desire to challenge himself: “I already have a background in economics and wanted to train myself in methods of inquiry and read scholarship that is not exclusively economic.”

However, he did not move straight into graduate study after completing his degree, first working in the media sector as a creative planner, and host of economic history segments for Expedición 1808, a series broadcasted throughout Latin America and in Spain. He also worked in commercial banking in Mexico as an analyst during the 2008 financial crisis in the US. “Both positions were crucial for me to determine my research interests,” he reflects. “They definitely helped me choose academia as a professional venue to develop them.”

Manuel chose to study at New York City’s Columbia University, focusing on the use of Mexican silver pesos as legal tender in the United States in the first half of the 19th century. “NYC was the best city for me to study, since it combines the best archives in financial history with a cluster of universities with researchers with whom I can discuss my research interests.” 

He speaks highly of New York, describing it as his favourite city in the world. “The city is very welcoming for people who do not come from here: in a way, it is truly the capital of the world.” Is he finding anything challenging about studying there? “The first challenge is the language, if you are not a native speaker,” he replies. “You might think you have a full command of English but it is a bit difficult to write an academic paper in another language. But that's what graduate school is for. Training. Professionalization.”

Training is indeed the appropriate term, as Manuel aims to stay within academia after completing his thesis, but is open to other career paths too. “Academia would be an ideal setting, however I am specializing in financial history and this might prove useful for a firm in the industry. Consulting has always attracted me. And as my previous work experience in TV taught me, public history is fascinating! A combination of the four activities would be ideal... But we'll see.”

He advises prospective history graduate students to think carefully before making such a commitment.  “Do not rush in! Consider the fact that it takes six to eight years from the start of the PhD to the defense of the dissertation. You will read as you never believed you would. You will find yourself doing much of your work alone and you might resent that if you are accustomed to working in teams.”

He concludes by advising anyone who does follow his footsteps to think carefully about acquiring skills that will be useful outside of the academy. And all things considered, that seems like advice that any graduate student would do well to follow…