"I believe in women,
         especially thinking women."
-Emmeline B. Wells

CAREERS IN WOMEN'S STUDIES

A background in Women's Studies offers a unique contextual perspective for today's shifting gender norms in the work place. Minoring in Women's Studies helps professionals enhance understanding of male/female interactions, stereotypical roles, and biases that affect the work environment.

In a national study, Barbara F. Luebke and Mary Ellen Reilly found more than 50 distinct occupations in which Women's Studies graduates were currently employed. Graduates with a Women's Studies Minor have pursued career paths in some of the following areas:

The Arts | Business | Education | Health Care | Media | Politics & Law | Social Work & Psychology
Choose a Career

THE ARTS

Women's Studies helps individuals organize, refine, and express their thoughts on things they are passionate about. It also helps people expand their ways of thinking and broaden their perspective of the world around them, giving them a wider platform from which to pursue their artistic and creative endeavors.

Specific careers Women's Studies graduates have pursued:

  • Self-employed Artist
  • Author
  • Arts Administration
  • Film Casting

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BUSINESS

Women's Studies helps individuals learn how gender interactions affect the business environment and gain an understanding of equal opportunity and minority legislation and resources. Learning about Women's Studies also provides students patterns of successful leadership to follow.

Specific careers which Women's Studies graduates have pursued:

  • Micro-enterprise
  • Domestic and International Trade
  • Telecommunications
  • Public and Government Relations
  • Publications Coordinator
  • Personal Director
  • Manager

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EDUCATION

Women's Studies helps develop a sensitivity to sexist, racist, and other biases in learning materials and classroom administration, arming future educators with tools to eliminate negative biases. Also, Women's Studies graduates will be better equipped to mediate in conflicts and misunderstandings that frequently arise due to gender differences.

Specific careers which Women's Studies graduates have pursued:

  • Graduate Studies Administration
  • Post-secondary Education Consultation
  • Elementary Education
  • Library Services
  • Student Services Director
  • Teacher
  • Principal

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HEALTH CARE

Women's Studies increases awareness of issues that are common to female clients. In addition, classes within the minor specifically address women's unique health needs, thus graduates will be better-informed and better-able to serve female clients.

Specific careers which Women's Studies graduates have pursued:

  • Reproductive Health Counseling
  • Health Administration
  • Philanthropic Coordination
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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MEDIA

Women's Studies increases consciousness of contemporary gender-related issues, internationally and on small-scale local levels. Encouraging individuals to quickly organize their thoughts, analyze information and patterns, and assemble valid arguments makes Women's Studies an excellent field to help learn what the important issues in the world are and how to write about them.

Specific careers which Women's Studies graduates have pursued:

  • Grant Writing
  • Journalistic Reporter
  • Media Activism
  • Advertising
  • Publishing Company Editor

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POLITICS & LAW

Women's Studies provides a historical background to understand the impact of policy-making on women, men, and families. The Women's Studies program remains conscious of contemporary, relevant issues relating to gender.

Specific careers which Women's Studies graduates have pursued:

  • Political Lobbying
  • Law
  • Public Service
  • Social Activism
  • Public Interest Group Director
  • Public Interest Lawyer

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SOCIAL WORK & PSYCHOLOGY

Women's Studies increases sensitivity to gender biases in inter-personal exchanges, thus helping graduates prevent such biases from hampering their work. Also, Women's Studies makes individuals aware of common concerns by female clients such as rape, violence, body image, self-worth and social construction of gender.

Specific careers which Women's Studies graduates have pursued:

  • Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Social Work
  • Clinical Research
  • Human Resources
  • Crisis Center Director
  • Youth Counselor
  • Social Worker

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CHOOSING A CAREER

Articles on Choosing a Career:



Curriculum Committee | Faculty | Program Requirements | Learning Outcomes | Minor Advisement
Course Syllabi | Reading Lists | Careers in Women's Studies | Frequently Asked Questions