WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN...

WOMEN'S AND GENDER STUDIES

www.sc.edu/career

wom·en’s stud·ies

An academic curriculum focusing on the roles and contributions of women in fields such as literature, history, and social sciences.*

*"women\'s studies." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 07 Aug. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/women\'s studies>.

gen·der stud·ies

Gender studies is a field of interdisciplinary study which analyzes the phenomenon of gender. Gender Studies is sometimes related to studies of class, race, ethnicity, sexuality and location.*

*“gender studies." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_studies 07 Aug. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_studies>.

Women’s And Gender Studies Majors Study

• Historic and contemporary forces that determine status

• The role of gender in American and other cultures

• Analyze the media and other forms of communication

• Multicultural and global perspectives of women’s lives, presently and historically

• The impact of cultural, educational, familial, institutional, and political influences on women

...and more

Women’s And Gender Studies At The University Of South

CarolinaUndergraduate Options Graduate OptionsDegree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Major: Women’s Studies

Minor: Women’s Studies

Graduate Certificate: interdisciplinary study which requires a total of 18 graduate credits within a six-year period in prescribed and elective courses

Women’s And Gender Studies Majors Develop Skills In

• Historical/comparative analysis

• Clarifying others’ thoughts and ideas

• Thinking critically• Understanding

oppression and discrimination

• Problem solving, conceptual, and analytical thinking

• Knowledge of social factors in communication

• Seeing connections• Arguing logically/

independently• Using effective verbal

and written communication to convey facts, theories, and ideas

Employment Settings

• Business & Commerce: Includes management and direction of for-profit organizations including the development of business plans, marketing strategies, product development, and human resource management.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Business &

Commerce• Account Executive• Compensation/Benefits/ Job

Analysis Specialist• Coordinator of Women’s

Services• Community Organizer• Corporate Communications

Consultant• Diversity Trainer• Employee Relations

Representative

• Equal Opportunity Officer• Foundation Program

Manager• Human Rights Organizer• Lawyer• Marketing/Brand

Management Representative• Public Relations Specialist• Staff Training Specialist

Employment Settings

• Writing, Editing, Publishing: Includes the areas of creativity, the precise use of language, and details. Further specialization may lead to writing your own works of fact of fantasy, proofing the quality and style of someone else’s writing, or managing the logistical and business side of writing.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Writing, Editing, &

Publishing

• Critic• Documentary

Filmmaker• Editor• Features Writer

• Grant Writer• Poet• Publisher• Speech Writer• Writer

Employment Settings• Public Service (Government &Non-Profit):

May involve the development, implementation, and

enforcement of policies/law and program offerings

on the local, state, and national level as well as the

support aspects associated with budgets, services,

defense, infrastructure, etc. A women’s studies

degree can prepare one for work in all levels of

management, leadership, financial development,

policy analysis, and civil service

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Public Service

(Government & Non-profit)

• Anthropologist• Diversity Trainer• Equal Opportunity

Officer• Employee Relations

Representative• Legislative Affairs

Representative• Lobbyist

• Policy Analyst• Program Coordinator• Research Analyst• Social Services

Coordinator• Staff Training Specialist• Women’s Advocate

Employment Settings

• Education: Includes classroom instruction, curricula development, research, writing, administration, program management, and lecturing.

Teaching and research positions at colleges and universities require an advanced degree. Most other teaching positions require appropriate certification.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Education

• Academic Advisor• Admissions Counselor• College Faculty• Curriculum Developer• Diversity Trainer• Education Administrator

• Educational Television Coordinator

• Guidance Counselor• Health Educator• Teacher• Women’s History

Researcher

Employment Settings

• Social Services: Includes among others counseling, social work, program management, public service, non-profit work, ministry, and positions in correctional facilities.

• Most ministry and counseling positions require the completion of a certification or advanced study program.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Social Services

• Case Worker• Community Educator• Community Organizer• Coordinator of Women’s

Services• Domestic Violence/ Sexual

Assault Advocate• Family Planning Advisor• Family Service Counselor• Health and Human Services

Representative• Human Rights Organizer

• Non-Profit Agency Director• Probation Officer• Refugee Coordinator• Social Worker• Teen Pregnancy Program

Coordinator• Victim Advocate• Women’s Advocate• Women’s Ministries

Coordinator• Youth Program Leader

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want

• Pursue an excellent academic record

• Obtain part-time, summer, or internship work experience

• Obtain a minor in an additional area of interest (i.E. Psychology, business, education)

• Develop strong writing and speaking skills

• Secure leadership positions in campus or community groups

• Shadow the work of a professional

Books And Web Resources

BooksWomen's studies graduates: the first generation by Barbara Luebke

Women's rights internship book published by Career Education Institute

Web Resources

National Women’s Studies Associationhttp://www.nwsa.org/

Resources For More Information

Department of Women’s Studieswww.cas.sc.edu/WOST/

Career Center Libraryhttp://www.sc.edu/career/Library/library.html

Related Websiteshttp://www.sc.edu/career/la/women.html

CAS Career Development websitewww.sc.edu/career/cascdp/index.html

Career Center Contact Information

University of South Carolina Career Center6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building)Columbia, SC 29208Phone: (803) 777-7280On-call counseling without an appointment: M - F, 1:00 am - 4:00 pm (Summer and holiday hours may differ, please check the website at www.sc/edu/career)