What can I do with a major in Women & Gender Studies
Women & Gender Studies questions the meanings and significance of contemporary gender relations and their histories across class, race, nation, and cultures. We seek answers to questions such as: How does our society govern and regulate gender? What does it mean to be a gendered subject? How do we understand social marginalization, exclusion, and inclusion? Whether as activists, scholars or labourers, women have generated significant changes in society. Women & Gender Studies offer you the opportunity to learn how these changes were initiated and gives you the tools to actively participate in the creation of an inclusive society.
Using feminist theory and research methodologies, women & gender studies examine the historical and contemporary conditions of women and men in society. Our department draws on a vibrant community of scholars and activists both inside and outside the university to explore a wide range of issues.
As a student in this program, you will increase your knowledge of women’s lives, bodies, experiences, labour and scholarship. You’ll also explore feminism as an influential political and social global movement that has generated significant change in all aspects of daily life for men and women. Through class activities, you will be able to work with community groups, participate in public symposia and local conferences, and study abroad.
Students interested in Women and Gender can complete:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Arts & Science
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Management
Skills
- Communication
- Conduct Research
- Creativity & Flexibility in Thinking
- Critical & Analytical Thinking
- Cross Cultural Awareness & Tolerance
- Formulate & Defend Ideas
- Interpret Ideas & Data
- Knowledge of Interrelatedness of Social, Organizational & Global Issues
- Leadership
- Read Critically & Write Persuasively
- Sensitivity & Compassion for Others
- Textual Analysis & Interpretation
- Understanding of Various Beliefs & Practices
- Work Collaboratively & Independently
- Written and Oral Communication
Work Environment
A degree in Women & Gender Studies can be the foundation for many careers. Students leaving the program work in public service, non-profit agencies, and in community development. Students with this degree have also gone on to professional studies to become librarians, teachers, lawyers and social workers. You can go onto graduate school and have a teaching and research career, work in administration or in the international sphere.
Key Areas of Specialization:
- Immigration
- Sexualities, Family and Marriage
- Reproductive Justice
- Constitutional Rights
- Marriage and Labour at the Intersections of Ethnicity, Race, and Religion
- Settler Colonialism
- The Regulation of Gender.
Career Possibilities
These jobs are normally intended for new graduates and require 0 to 2 years of experience. It is important to note that many entry level positions require some related experience or demonstrated ability to perform job-related tasks. Even those positions that do not require experience will still prefer an experienced candidate, if one is available.
- Advertising Account Executive
- Administrative Assistant
- Captioner and Court Reporter
- Career Development Professional
- Community Health Representative
- Educational Assistant
- Immigration Consultant
- Judicial Clerk
- Legal Assistant
- Library Clerk
- Library Technician
- Mediator
- Museum Technician
- Paralegal
- Patient Advocate
- Public Relations Representative
- Reporter
These jobs generally require extensive, relevant work experience and/or further education
- Advertising Account Executive
- Archivist
- Chief Administrative Officer
- College, Technical, or Vocational Instructor
- Community Planner
- Demographer
- Diplomat
- Editor
- Government Official
- Historian
- Human Resources Professional
- Lawyer
- Librarian
- Management Consultant
- Policy Analyst
- Political Scientist
- Social Worker
- University Professor
On average, people change their careers three to five times in their lifetime. So, no matter what major you choose, you may still be interested in opportunities totally unrelated to your program of study. We encourage you to be open to all possibilities! Your undergraduate degree can be a springboard for other educational pursuits, and your transferable skills and experience can prepare you to work in a multitude of settings.
- Advertising Account Executive
- Advertising Copywriter
- Business Continuity Planner
- Child and Youth Care Worker
- Citizenship and Immigration Officer
- Creative Writer
- Economic Development Officer
- Educational Counsellor
- Foreign Service Officer
- Instructional Designer
- Manager of Volunteer Resources
- Marriage and Family Counsellor
- Mental Health Worker
- Social Media Specialist
- Training and Development Professional
Useful Resources
- Association for Women’s Rights in Development https://www.awid.org/
- Canadian Women’s Foundation https://canadianwomen.org/
- Canadian Women’s Health Network www.cwhn.ca/
- Government of Canada Women and Girls https://www.canada.ca/en/services/culture/canadian-identity-society/women-girls.html
- Native Women’s Association of Canada https://www.nwac.ca/
- Society for Women in Philosophy https://uh.edu/~cfreelan/SWIP/
- Status of Women Canada https://cfc-swc.gc.ca/index-en.htmlThe Arquives https://arquives.ca/
- The Feminist eZine http://www.feministezine.com/feminist/
- United Nations Women https://www.unwomen.org/en
- YWCA https://ywcacanada.ca
Add Value to Your Degree
The more you do to differentiate yourself, the more likely you are to succeed in building a fulfilling career path for yourself. It takes more than just attending classes to stand out amongst other students and new graduates. Become an explorer! Try new things, challenge yourself, build unique skills, and connect with diverse people.
Use the ideas listed below to help you brainstorm experiences to add value to your degree. For more ideas on experiential opportunities at the University of Lethbridge, view the Student Experience Transcript.
Making connections with others is one of the best ways to learn about the world of work and gain access to career-building opportunities. Making meaningful connections with people is often called building a network. Building these connections can give you access to jobs before they are posted, or to jobs that are not publicly posted. Employers like to hire people they have already built relationships with, and are more likely to hire people who have been recommended by trusted colleagues and friends.
Start building your network by attending Career Fairs and other on-campus recruitment events found on the Career Services Events page within the Career Bridge portal. Get introduced to career professionals in a welcoming and approachable way through uLethbridge Connect at Ten Thousand Coffees. Consider joining a professional association to help you find opportunities to meet experienced professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.
d professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.
Co-operative Education allows you to earn income through real-world work experience that is related to your academic studies. Completing a co-op work term provides you with an opportunity to build your skills in a practical work setting, network with employers, and increase your marketability after graduation.
Co-operative education is available to undergraduate and graduate-level students within a variety of programs in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Dhillon School of Business, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Health Sciences. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how co-op works here.
The Applied Studies program offers you the opportunity to earn academic credit for learning gained through employment or volunteer experiences. Placements provide skill development and experiential learning related to your studies by integrating principles learned in the classroom with practical situations encountered on the job.
Participating in clubs and running for student government are great ways to build employability skills, learn how to work with others, and demonstrate your leadership abilities.
The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union is committed to building a rewarding and enriching experience for undergraduate students. They have positions for Executive Council members and General Assembly members, as well as an extensive list of ratified clubs, offering opportunities to get involved in areas of interest and in leadership positions.
The Graduate Students’ Association’s mandate is to identify and advocate for graduate student needs. They have GSA Executive positions, GSA Council positions, and a mentorship program for incoming students.
The University of Lethbridge provides many different opportunities to gain research experience in addition to the required courses in your degree program.
An independent study is a chance for you to design your own research project for course credit under the supervision of a professor of your choice. Course work usually requires independent library research and/or field work and/or a major term paper. For more information, meet with an Academic Advisor and the Department or Faculty member under whom you wish to pursue an Independent Study.
You can also opt to complete an Undergraduate Thesis Course. This will allow you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree and is a great springboard into graduate studies and professional programs. Fourth-year standing and a cumulative GPA of 3.30 is required to complete an Honours Thesis; it is also helpful to have previous research experience like Independent Studies. For more information, contact the Department or Faculty member under whom you with to pursue your Honours Thesis.
The Office of Research and Innovation Services has a wealth of information on additional research opportunities for students, including Student Funding, Student Research Positions, AGILITY, and events. The School of Graduate Studies has information on Research Opportunities/Graduate Student Positions and GA/Co-op/Internship Opportunities. If you are interested in building your research portfolio, do not miss out on these opportunities!
International experience builds valuable employability skills like adaptability, multi-cultural awareness, and the initiative to take on new challenges. Gain an international perspective by participating in Education Abroad opportunities like semester exchanges, study tours, field studies, work-study tours, internships, and more. Learn about international careers and resources through MyWorldAbroad (available within the Career Bridge portal).
Volunteerism is an excellent way to demonstrate your current skills, build new skills, and grow your network. If you are not sure where to get started, connect with UVolunteer, the University of Lethbridge’s partnership with Volunteer Lethbridge. If you already volunteer, UVolunteer can provide you with a framework to organize and document your volunteer work. If you are not sure how or where to get involved, UVolunteer can help you find volunteer opportunities that meet your needs and the needs of your community. Also consider volunteering with a local Board, Commission, or Committee.