Career Options for Women’s Studies Majors

Amy HoagThe Career Center

www.careercenter.umich.edu

AgendaMajors and Careers; The

Truth About Your Future

Marketing Your Major to Employers

What Can You Do With Your Major?

“Experience” Your Future; Internships and Jobs

You Majored in What?Match the Major to Career

Sociology

English

Chemistry

Kinesiology

Math

Women’s Studies

Anthropology

Director for Risk Management/Trading

Head Women’s Basketball Coach

Director of Conference and Event Services

Technical Account Manager

VP for Global Operations

Marketing Assistant

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills – Skills that are transferable from one experience to the next.

1. Analytical Skills 2. Communication Skills - verbal

and written3. Computer Skills 4. Creativity 5. Detail-Oriented 6. Entrepreneurial Skills/Risk-

Taker7. Flexibility/Adaptability 8. Motivation/initiative9. Honesty/Integrity 10. Interpersonal Skills

11. Leadership/Management Skills12. Motivation/Initiative13. Organizational and Time Management Skills14. Real Life Experiences15. Self-Confidence16. Strong Work Ethic17. Tactfulness18. Teamwork Skills19. Technical Skills20. Well-mannered/Polite

The Top 20 Skills Employers Seek in Candidates

(NACE, 2007)

Communication Skills How has your major helped you develop these skills?

Confident oral presentation skills. Creating and presenting ideas in

front of a class provides the opportunity to develop your presentation skills.

Effective writing skills. Writing powerful essays and reports

that highlight the achievements of women will allow you to hone your writing skills while developing the ability to compose and edit complex documents.

Communication Skills

Where else have you developed these skills through your experiences at U of M?

Critical Thinking Skills How has your major helped you develop these skills?

Women’s studies students gain the ability to solve problems and think creatively about potential solutions. You will learn from the work of

influential thinkers throughout history.

Then, you will learn how to apply theory to practice to identify new solutions to complex social issues.

Critical Thinking Skills

Where else have you developed these skills through your experiences at U of M?

The Bottom Line

Employers are interested in Women’s Studies majors for the skills sets you develop both in and outside of the classroom!

Employers value your skills, passion and interests, regardless of the specific major you choose.

You are employable and have a world of opportunity available to you!

Know Yourself

Assessing Your Skills

Communication Skills Researc

h

Innovation and Ideas

Teamwork

Solving Complex Problems

Analyzing Data

Assessing Your

Interests

Community Improvement Researc

h

Leadership and

Persuasion

Data and Analysis

Artistic Expression

Women’s Health

Assessing Your Values

Community Improvement Wealth

AutonomyCuriosityOrganizatio

n and Accuracy

Aesthetics

Exploring Your Career Options – Let’s Brainstorm

Exploring Your Career Options

Facts about U of M Women’s Studies Majors…

Based on 2007-2008 follow up data for graduating WS seniors: 94% were employed or in graduate programs 6

months after graduation 50% were employed in meaningful work

experiences (80% indicated their position had clear career potential)

44% continued their education Most common fields of employment were

Education, Health Care, Non-Profit, and Law/Paralegal

Most common locations for employment were Michigan, New York, California and Chicago

Average salary was $25,000-$35,000/year Of the successfully employed, 76% began their

job search 3-6+ months before graduation and 67% had at least one internship

More Facts about U of M Women’s Studies Majors…

Of those continuing their education, 57% are pursuing Master’s programs, 29% are in professional programs (Medical/Law), 7% are in Ph.D. programs and 7% are completing a second Bachelor’s degree

Most common graduate programs for students continuing their education include Law, Public Health, Education, Social Work, and Nursing

Exploring Your Job/Internship OpportunitiesCareer Center Resources

Career Center website ( www.careercenter.umich.edu ) Explore career paths (www.onetcenter.org) Explore jobs/internships (Career Center Connector and other

industry/employer/networking websites) Sample internships/jobs posted include…

Children’s Rights Law Intern, New York League of Women Voters Intern, Washington DC American Red Cross: Public Relations Intern, MI U of M Depression Center: Communications Intern, MI Acumen LLC: Research Analyst/Writer, CA American Lung Association: Program Coordinator, MI Mew York City District Attorney’s Office: Paralegal, NY

Prepare resumes, cover letters and practice Interviews (Optimal)

Job and Graduate School Fairs Graduate School Information Fair, Law Day, Medical School

Information Fair, Non-Profit Career Expo, Government Career Fair, Multicultural Career Fair, Internship Fair, Job Fair, etc.

Questions?Amy Hoag

Assistant Director, Counseling and Advising ServicesThe Career Center

amyhoag@umich.eduwww.careercenter.umich.edu