FROM STUDY TO SKILLS
All academic programs offered at the UM help students develop valuable transferable skills. Women’s Studies aims to bridge gender, racial, economic, religious, and national divides; create knowledge about women, gender, race, and sexuality; challenge power inequities; and improve the lives of women and men.
In our increasingly diverse world, the breadth of Women’s Studies makes it an ideal liberal arts concentration. Addressing theory, history, political science, psychology, economics, health, literature, and the arts, women’s studies concentrators develop a broad range of theoretical and practical skills.
Related fields include History, Psychology, Philosophy, Law, Political Science, International Studies, Public Health, Public Policy, Sociology, Communication Studies, History of Art, and Literature.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Project-Development Skills
Assessing needs / interests
Planning project
Evaluating outcomes
Translating theory into action
Developing research ideas
Organizing materials / information
Research / Analytical Skills
Analyzing data
Organizing ideas
Interpreting ideas / events
Interdisciplinary methods
Making decisions
Examining evidence
Compiling and evaluating information
Comparing / contrasting ideas and information
Interpersonal / Cross-Cultural Skills
Leading / participating in groups
Comparing cultures / societies
Developing sensitivity to / understanding of differing viewpoints
Working within organizations
Coordinating committees
Communication Skills
Writing clearly
Making effective oral presentations
Presenting viewpoints / analyses
Understanding / speaking to persons of different backgrounds
Conveying ideas
Listening to others
BUILDING YOUR SKILLS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Employers seek out individuals who can demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, teamwork and interpersonal skills, initiative, and a strong work ethic. Student organizations, campus employment, and community service learning offer valuable opportunities to add to the skills you are developing in your classes. Other options include study abroad, off-campus employment or volunteering in the community. Finally, a summer internship may be the best way of all to test out a career field and develop marketable skills.
FROM SKILLS TO CAREER
Women’s Studies concentrators develop both analytical and social interaction skills applicable to a wide range of careers. For example, the project development skills of compiling and organizing information may be equally useful whether working as a lobbyist, a development officer, or an account manager.
The majority of Women’s Studies concentrators end up working in education, health care, nonprofits, or the law. Many concentrators go on to graduate or professional school. The list below is a sample of careers undertaken by Women’s Studies graduates.
Project-Development Skills
Public interest group director
Health Science administrator
Development officer
City Planner 
Director of a Crisis Center
University academic administrator
Research / Analytical Skills
Attorney
Paralegal
Account executive
Market researcher
Grants coordinator
Physician
Librarian
Interpersonal / Cross-Cultural Skills
Sales representative
Personnel director
Television programming director
Lobbyist
Community organizer
Psychotherapist
Counselor / social worker
Clergy
Nurse / midwife
Student services director
Affirmative action officer
Communication Skills
Journalist
Publications coordinator
Politician
Health educator
Teacher
College professor
= Further Study Required
For more career information, see O*Net at http://online.onetcenter.org/
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
As an interdisciplinary program, the WS concentration provides students with an understanding of women, gender, and sexuality from a multicultural and global perspective. Concentration requirements include WS240 Intro to Women’s Studies, WS 330 Feminist Thought, WS 440 Senior Capstone Seminar, a practicum course, and a course in each area: LGBTQ Studies; Gender, Race, and Ethnicity in the U.S.; Gender, Culture, and Representation; and Gender in a Global Context.
Minors are also offered in Gender and Health; Gender, Race, and Ethnicity; and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Sexuality Studies (LGBTQS).
Complete information about the concentration and our minors may be found in the LSA Bulletin and on the website.
Department of Women’s Studies
1122 Lane Hall
734-763-2047
www.lsa.umich.edu/women
Newnan Advising Center
1255 Angell Hall
734-764-0332
www.lsa.umich.edu/advising
NEXT STEPS / RESOURCES
To learn more about the career paths of Women’s Studies graduates, visit:
www.lsa.umich.edu/women/resources/employmentresourcesforstudents OR
www.lsa.umich.edu/women/alumni/graduatestudentplacement
To begin connecting to professionals in fields that interest you, create your own LinkedIn account:
www.careercenter.umich.edu/article/getting-started-linkedin
To identify internships or job opportunities, visit Handshake: https://careercenter.umich.edu/article/handshake
On-campus jobs (work-study and non work-study jobs) are listed at: https://studentemployment.umich.edu/JobX_Home.aspx
Maize Pages list hundreds of organizations for students to get involved in: http://studentorgs.umich.edu/maize
The Career Center
3200 Student Activities Building
734-764-7460
www.careercenter.umich.edu
www.facebook.com/careercenter.umich
http://twitter.com/careercenter
The Career Guide series was developed by the University of Michigan Career Center, Division of Student Affairs, in cooperation with the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. ©2013 Regents of the University of Michigan