A degree in Women’s and Gender Studies will give students the foundational knowledge and skills to pursue a wide variety of careers. Use this career guide to learn about some of the transferable skills students will develop while completing their degree, potential career opportunities, and the resources and organizations we recommend exploring.
For a quick overview of the careers and skills related to Women’s and Gender Studies, read and download the Degree Exploration Guide.
Skill Development
Students with a background in Women’s and Gender Studies will develop a multifaceted view of the world and hone the skills that will embolden them to succeed in their chosen career.
The skills gained through learning about complex issues, personal research, writing, presentations, and group discussions make graduates of the Women’s and Gender Studies program an asset in any workplace. Graduates of the program develop strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and develop a deeper understanding of how to challenge inequalities, giving students the tools to tackle professional challenges and create real, lasting change throughout their careers.
- Understand how systems of power impact the world we live in, and the ways in which individual experiences, ideologies, cultures, and institutions are shaped by intersecting ideas about gender, colonialism, race, class, sexuality, and the body.
- Learn about the historical contexts around issues in Women’s and Gender Studies, the impact of those histories on the world we know today, and the ways in which activism and resistance have created cultural, social, and political change.
- Challenge assumptions, biases, and norms, and identify gaps in knowledge or biases.
- Understand how to apply an interdisciplinary and intersectional approach to issues, in order to better understand those issues and support change.
- Explore different feminist theories, frameworks, and methodologies, their historical contexts, and how to effectively apply them.
- Imagine creative and collaborative solutions to social issues, and explore ways to challenge structures of inequality.
- Develop a more informed view of the world through interactions with people with different lived experiences.
- Understand and learn how to support diversity, equity, and inclusion as organizational frameworks that seek to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people, especially as it relates to underrepresentation, discrimination, and marginalization.
- Apply the concepts learned in Women’s and Gender Studies professionally, to better support change.
- Read and understand texts, from primary sources to academic papers, and think critically about how to connect, apply, and further develop existing theories and research.
- Interrogate different sides of an argument, considering different points of view.
- Question, challenge, and determine the relevancy of research and sources of information.
- Learn to correctly cite the work of others and contribute to a diverse field of existing scholarship.
- Learn and apply qualitative and quantitative research skills. Construct research questions and develop projects to effectively address those questions by building on existing work and theories in the field.
- Develop strong oral and written communication skills through academic reading, writing, presentations, and discussions. Formulate persuasive arguments and clearly and concisely communicate complex concepts around topics of interest.
- Effectively work within a group to collaboratively make decisions and execute projects.
- Lead others effectively, including in discussions and group projects, and teach skills and knowledge to others.
- Critically analyze problems and employ informed and creative problem-solving.
Career Options
Women’s and Gender Studies is relevant to a variety of careers and will prepare graduates to find employment in community service agencies, health centres and non-governmental organizations; to work towards policy change locally and beyond; and to become human rights advocates and public intellectuals in a variety of media. The program is also excellent preparation for pursuing advanced degrees in the legal, teaching, and medical professions, and many more.
For examples of what some of our graduates have done with their degree, visit the Student Profiles to read about the experiences of a few of our alumni.
- Advocate
- Anti-Racism Coordinator
- Archivist
- Author
- Campus Recruitment Officer
- Case Manager
- Child and Youth Worker
- Communications Consultant
- Community Outreach Coordinator
- Counsellor
- Crisis Intervention Worker
- Editor
- Environmental Justice Organizer
- Equity Officer
- ESL Teacher
- Event Planner
- Family Support Coordinator
- Field Campaign Coordinator
- Fundraising Organizer
- Government Administrator
- Harm Reduction Worker
- Human Resources Specialist
- Human Rights Manager
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Lecturer
- Legislative Analyst
- Librarian
- Media Relations Representative
- Mediator
- Mental Health Services Provider
- Motivational Speaker
- News Analyst
- Non-Profit Director
- Paralegal
- Policy Analyst
- Pro-choice Program Worker
- Professor
- Program Coordinator
- Public Relations Officer
- Public Educator
- Publications Coordinator
- Researcher
- School Counsellor
- Sexual Health Educator
- Social Service Worker
- Union Representative
- Violence Prevention Worker
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Women’s Shelter Director
- Youth Program Coordinator
Note that this is not an exhaustive list, and some careers may require additional training.
Visit the Government of Canada’s National Occupational Classification website to learn more about occupations across Canada and the requirements for jobs related to Women’s and Gender Studies.
Graduate Studies
With the successful completion of a four-year Honours degree, students will have the option to pursue graduate studies to further their studies and specialize their education in an area of interest. Many Women’s and Gender Studies alumni have enrolled in programs offered at Brock University, including Applied Disability Studies, Critical Sociology, Education, Geography, History, Political Science, Social Justice and Equity Studies, and more!
For more information on graduate programs, admissions, funding and scholarship opportunities, and everything else students need to know about pursuing graduate studies at Brock, visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and for information on Canada-wide opportunities, visit EduCanada.
Professional Associations and Organizations
Learning about the industry and becoming familiar with professional associations and organizations is a key element in career development for many students. Becoming involved with an organization is a way to learn more about the work being done by experienced professionals and volunteers, create lasting connections, and gain invaluable experience. We recommend researching local as well as national and international organizations and encourage students to research organizations that align with their values, interests, and goals.
- Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights
- Association for Women’s Rights in Development
- Canadian Council on Social Development
- Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women
- Charity Village
- Feminist Alliance for International Action
- Gender and Education Association
- The International Alliance for Women
Career Resources at Brock
CareerZone is the core of all of Brock’s career-related resources, which students can access through the online portal or by visiting the CareerZone space in Guernsey Market. Through CareerZone, students will be able to access active postings for paid and volunteer positions on-campus and around Niagara, have one-on-one appointments with staff, find information about experiential courses and co-curricular programs, sign up for workshops, learn about upcoming events, access resources to help with resume and cover letter writing, and more.
Visit Brock Careers for information about working at Brock.