WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN... WOMEN'S AND GENDER STUDIES

1. WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN... WOMEN'S AND GENDER STUDIES www.sc.edu/career

2. wom·en’sstud·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>.

3. gen·derstud·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>.

4. 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

5. Women’s And Gender Studies At The University Of South Carolina

6. Women’s And Gender Studies Majors Develop Skills In • Knowledge of social factors in communication • Seeing connections • Arguing logically/ independently • Using effective verbal and written communication to convey facts, theories, and ideas Historical/comparative analysis Clarifying others’ thoughts and ideas Thinking critically Understanding oppression and discrimination Problem solving, conceptual, and analytical thinking

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

8. Sample Occupational Titles Associated WithBusiness & Commerce • Equal Opportunity Officer • Foundation Program Manager • Human Rights Organizer • Lawyer • Marketing/Brand Management Representative • Public Relations Specialist • Staff Training Specialist Account Executive Compensation/Benefits/ Job Analysis Specialist Coordinator of Women’s Services Community Organizer Corporate Communications Consultant Diversity Trainer Employee Relations Representative

9. 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.

10. Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Writing, Editing, & Publishing • Grant Writer • Poet • Publisher • Speech Writer • Writer Critic Documentary Filmmaker Editor Features Writer

11. 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

12. Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Public Service (Government & Non-profit) • Policy Analyst • Program Coordinator • Research Analyst • Social Services Coordinator • Staff Training Specialist • Women’s Advocate Anthropologist Diversity Trainer Equal Opportunity Officer Employee Relations Representative Legislative Affairs Representative Lobbyist

13. 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.

14. Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Education • Educational Television Coordinator • Guidance Counselor • Health Educator • Teacher • Women’s History Researcher Academic Advisor Admissions Counselor College Faculty Curriculum Developer Diversity Trainer Education Administrator

15. 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 requirethe completion of a certification or advanced study program.

16. Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Social Services • 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 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

17. Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want • Develop strong writing and speaking skills • Secure leadership positions in campus or community groups • Shadow the work of a professional 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)

18. Books And Web Resources Web Resources National Women’s Studies Associationhttp://www.nwsa.org/ Books Women's studies graduates: the first generation by Barbara Luebke Women's rights internship book published by Career Education Institute

19. Resources For More Information Department of Women’s Studies www.cas.sc.edu/WOST/ Career Center Library http://www.sc.edu/career/Library/library.html Related Websites http://www.sc.edu/career/la/women.html CAS Career Development website www.sc.edu/career/cascdp/index.html

20. Career Center Contact Information University of South Carolina Career Center 6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building) Columbia, SC 29208 Phone: (803) 777-7280 On-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)