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African & African-American Studies

What can I do with a major in African and African American Studies
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers a BA and BGS in African American Studies. Within the major, there are four concentration options; African, African American, combined African and African American, and Haitian. The department will introduce you to African and African-American history, culture and life in general. Although Africa and Afro-America are the major areas of study, due attention is paid to the Caribbean and Latin America. The interdisciplinary major, with its opportunity for fieldwork in Africa or in the African Diaspora, also encourages students to engage in independent study to maximize their academic and research potential. In addition to academic interests, our program will prove useful for professionals whose careers take them to these geographic and cultural areas. African and African American Studies Department Website

What can I do with a major in

African and African American Studies

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers a BA and BGS in African American Studies. Within the major, there are four concentration options; African, African American, combined African and African American, and Haitian. The department will introduce you to African and African-American history, culture and life in general. Although Africa and Afro-America are the major areas of study, due attention is paid to the Caribbean and Latin America. The interdisciplinary major, with its opportunity for fieldwork in Africa or in the African Diaspora, also encourages students to engage in independent study to maximize their academic and research potential. In addition to academic interests, our program will prove useful for professionals whose careers take them to these geographic and cultural areas.

African and African American Studies Department Website

African and African American Studies majors develop the following skills:

Analysis and Research: identifying research topics, gathering information, examining evidence, comparing/contrasting ideas and concepts, solving problems, thinking critically. assessing alternative modes of analysis

Communication: writing clearly, expressing ideas through several media (e.g. film, music), listening to others, challenging conventional ideas, conveying ideas systematically

Cultural Sensitivity: understanding society through culture, appreciation for race and class differences and perspectives, working with competing notions and ideas, examine the relationship of historical, economical, and political forces

Project Development: assessing needs and interests, working with community groups, generating ideas, identifying resources, developing sound research designs, evaluating results, translating theory into action

Depending on your desired career path, additional skills may need to be developed. Make an appointment with a career consultant to design your individual career development plan.

Build skills Beyond the Classroom

Join related clubs, professional associations, activities, and organizations
Read professional journals in the field
Find volunteer work in a related area
Find part-time employment in a similar area
Job shadow someone working in the field
Conduct an informational interview with someone working in this area of interest
Obtain an internship
Work with a mentor or alum. Contact the Hawk to Hawk program at the KU Alumni Center.

Internship Websites

Employment Websites

Career Planning and Resources

Professional Associations

Sample Careers for African or African American Studies Majors

Business

Skills in writing and analysis make African and African American Studies majors well suited for:

Career Options
Advertising executive
Buyer
Consultant
Cross-cultural relations specialist
Editor
Diversity trainer
Marketing executive
News Analyst
Public relations representative
Sales manager
Staff training and development specialist
Writer

Potential Employers
Corporate and Small Businesses
Consulting Firms
Financial Institutes
Insurance Agencies

Government and Public Sector

Skills in conceptual thinking and public affairs make African and African American Studies majors well suited for:

Career Options
Affirmative action officer
Caseworker/social worker
Congressional staff member
Equal employment opportunity officer
Foreign aid worker
Foreign service officer
Journalist
Police officer
Political analyst
Probation officer
Urban planner

Potential Employers
Department of Public Aid
Environmental Protection Agency
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Social Security office
State Board of Education

Education

Skills in interpersonal relations make African and African American Studies majors well suited for:

Career Options
Assistant director of education
Diversity/multicultural student services administrator
Librarian
Museum curator
Professor
Public historian
Retention specialist
School social worker
Student outreach administrator
Teacher
TRIO program administrator

Potential Employers
Colleges/Universities
Community Colleges
K-12 Schools
Libraries
Museums
Prep Schools
Private Schools

Community Organizing

Skills in research, analysis, and communication make African and African American Studies majors well suited for:

Career Options
Advocate
Canvass director
Citizen outreach director
Community organizer
Cultural affairs officer
Field organizer
Fundraising manager
Grant writer
Historical preservationist
Issues director
Legal advisor
Lobbyist
Non-profit director
Youth program leader

Potential Employers
Advocacy Groups
Federal, State & Local Government Agencies
Nonprofit Organizations
Religious Organizations
Social Service Agencies

For information on these occupations

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The University of Kansas
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