Career Planning
Below is a list of careers former WGST majors have pursued, for more information about career planning please visit the Career Center website where they have online resources, or you can schedule an appointment with a member of their team.
Human Rights
Human Rights advocate
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies graduates have been active in the campaign for equality and justice around the world through their work with international rights organizations that monitor the treatment and the advancement of women and other groups that face discrimination.
Non-profit work
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies graduates bring a commitment to social justice and strong understanding of local, national, and international issues to non-profit work.
Social Workers
Social workers with a Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies graduates bring their understanding of the history and development of women’s and men’s roles in society to their work with the disadvantaged. This knowledge can help them teach their clients about the opportunities available to them and connect their clients with the most effective and appropriate resources in their communities.
Anti Domestic Violence Advocate
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies majors understand the unique set of challenges that abused women face. They can use their knowledge to help victims of violence find safe living arrangements and help them manage through the court system. They can also educate the public about the scope of domestic violence in this country.
Politics/Law
Lawyer
As the general public becomes more aware of challenges such as sexual harassment, discrimination, and domestic violence, attorneys who build a reputation for handling sensitive cases can build strong specialty practices.
Health Care
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies graduates understand the deeply politicized nature of women’s health issues around the world and work to educate women and their governments about women’s special medical needs and newest treatments available to them.
Government work
Federal, state, and local governments are eager to hire employees who understand the diverse world in which we live. Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies majors are particularly suited for such work.
Legislative Aid
As politicians work to court women’s votes, many elected officials have recruited Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies majors to their research teams. By viewing current laws and proposed legislation through the filter of women’s history, these specialists can help their representatives to really understand the impact of law on women in their districts.
Education
Teacher
A Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies graduate brings a clear understanding of gender issues to the classroom, can offer non-sexist teaching models, and can help young people deal with the range of issues that they face as they develop into adults.
Professor
A Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies graduate brings unique and insightful perspectives, ideas, and methodology to the classroom on a collegiate level. Whether it be through course lectures or research, a Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies graduate will create an inclusive, introspective, and forward-looking environment in the classroom that will help to develop students further in their academic careers.
Art, Music, and Writing
Writer or Journalist
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies majors use their research and writing skills to bring to the issues that face women and other under-served groups to the forefront of American society.
Artist or Musician
Many creative professionals use their Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies degrees to inspire powerful songs or works of art. Women have made a consistent impact in the arts throughout history, and today’s generation of creators must work even harder to keep that tradition alive.
Art Director
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies graduates bring a valuable perspective to the artistic world. Along the same thread of the artist/musician, women have played a significant role in artistic creation throughout history, and today’s creators work hard to keep this tradition alive.
Theatre Director
The stage provides immense opportunities for artistic production that allows for the creative mind to bring the focuses of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies to the public. A Theatre Director can use their distinct perspective and understanding to introduce larger themes of equality, justice, and inclusion in art and live entertainment. As a Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies graduate, you can create experiences that glorify the world of women, of female perspectives and behaviors, as well as those of LGBTQIA+ individuals, people of color, and people across the grand spectrum of human identity.
Theatre Manager
Much like the Theatre Director, the Theatre Manager can cultivate an environment in which art reflects a certain environment. In this way, a Theatre Manager can choose to bring equality, justice, and inclusivity to the variety of theatrical performances that are produced. A Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies graduate would fit this position well, as they would bring a unique and valuable perspective to theatrical production.
Business
Business Owner/Entrepreneur
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies majors can channel their fiercely independent spirit into careers as entrepreneurs. By understanding the needs and wants of women, they can create companies that solve problems for customers in unique ways.
Public Relations/Advertising
Women make most of the buying decisions in America. Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies graduates not only bring strong communication skills to their jobs, but they also provide insight into how women and men make consumer choices.
Company Archivist or Historian
Many companies, communities, and nonprofit organizations rely on archivists to accurately document the actions and the legacies of their institutions. Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies majors help to ensure that women’s participation in those organizations are not overlooked or understated.
Religion
Clergy
A number of religious denominations are eager to have women engaged with their spiritual communities as priests, ministers, rabbis, and other clerical offices. Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies majors create inclusive, sensitive congregations.