www.sc.edu/career

wom·en’s stud·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 >.

gen·der stud·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 >.

• 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

Women’s And Gender Studies At
The University Of South
Carolina
Undergraduate Options
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Major:
Women’s Studies
Minor:
Women’s Studies
Graduate Options
Graduate Certificate: interdisciplinary study which requires a total of 18 graduate credits within a sixyear period in prescribed and elective courses

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

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

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

Employment Settings
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.

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

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

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

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.

• Academic Advisor
• Admissions Counselor
• College Faculty
• Curriculum Developer
• Diversity Trainer
• Education Administrator
• Educational Television
Coordinator
• Guidance Counselor
• Health Educator
• Teacher
• Women’s History
Researcher

Employment Settings
Includes among others counseling, social work, program management, public service, non-profit work, ministry, and positions in correctional facilities.
• Most ministry and counseling positions require the completion of a certification or advanced study program.

Sample Occupational Titles
Associated With Social Services
• 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
• 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

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

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

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

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 )