Careers
Women's Studies classes helped raise my awareness around issues of gender inequities, racism and classism. As a teacher, I take this awareness to the classroom. Knowledge of the theories and realities of others has helped my classroom policies and interactions. Thanks WOST!
Daniella Boucher, Class of 2006
Find out what other grads are doing
Many students find Women’s Studies courses personally rewarding and intellectually exciting. But they wonder about how practical it is to minor or major in Women’s Studies. “What can I do with Women’s Studies?” is a frequently asked question.
There are some fields in which a focus on women’s experience and gender is clearly an advantage. These include counseling and human services, education, law and labor relations, literature and the arts, journalism, social sciences, and many of the health care fields.
A Women’s Studies major is also a good background for students interested in business, government or non-profit activist and advocacy careers. You may want to consider the one-year graduate certificate program offered by the Program for Women in Politics and Public Policy.
Graduates of UMB Women’s Studies have gone on to earn advanced degrees in history, American studies, literature, and sociology, as well as Women’s Studies. Some have prepared for college teaching, and others for K-12 teaching careers.
The fields of law and labor relations continue to offer career opportunities in which feminists can work to improve women’s social, economic, and legal status.
Women’s Studies majors and minors with skills in photography, film or video, and writing are often attracted to careers in the media professions. Involvement in such careers can be an effective means of helping to change public attitudes and perceptions about women and men.
Health care employment opportunities continue to multiply. Among our graduates are some who have completed further study in fields such as nutrition counseling, holistic and alternative health practices, and psychiatric nursing.
If you are already a major or minor in Women’s Studies, we encourage you to discuss your career ideas with the Department chairperson or a faculty advisor, and to make use of the Internship/Field Work requirement to test your ideas.
We also recommend that you make an appointment Shannon Seaver-Rojas in the Career Services office.
